Mrs. Leonard Jelinski

Mrs. Leonard "Leona" Jelinski, age 72, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2010 at her home in Belle Prairie Township, Morrison County, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, June 7, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie, MN, with Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Visitation will be held from 4:00- 8:00 Sunday, June 6, 2010 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, with a Rosary by the St. Robert's Mission Group at 4:30 P.M. Visitation will continue at the church on Monday from 9:00 - 10:30 A.M. Leona was born on March 7, 1938 in Elmdale, Minnesota to the late Stanley & Marie "Mary" (Koshenina) Koroll. She grew up in the Elmdale area where she attended grade school and then went to high school in Upsala. She continued her education at St. Cloud Technical College where she received her Trained Medication Assistant (TMA) degree. Leona was united in marriage to Leonard J. Jelinski on October 15, 1956 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Elmdale, MN. The couple lived in a number of places before settling on the farm south of Freedhem on July 1, 1960. Leona worked with her husband on the farm for over 50 years and at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls for over 30 years. She often said the Lutheran Care Center was her second home. As a devout Catholic, she served in a number of areas in the church including funeral lunches and the mission group (where she helprd with quilting). She loved making coffee cakes (her specialty) for people and family and playing cards. The most important part of her life was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was very close to her friends and neighbors as well. Leona was diagnosed with cancer in November, 2009. She fought a good battle against the disease, but the Lord needed her home in heaven. She passed into His loving arms at her home surrounded by her family on Thursday evening, June 3, 2010. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Leonard Jelinski of Little Falls, MN; children, Gary Jelinski of Little Falls, MN, Cliff (Carol) Jelinski of Little Falls, MN, Cynthia (Bruce) Peterson of Carlos, MN and Renee (Bruce) Larson of Woodbury, MN; brothers, Leonard (Eileen) Koroll of Elmdale, MN, Jim (Mary Ann) Kororoll of Little Falls, MN and Gene (Carol) Koroll of Little Falls, MN; sisters, Jeannette (Donald) Maslowski of Little Falls, MN and Helen (Ervine) Chromey of Blaine, MN; grandchildren, Corey Jelinski, Kris (Jeremy) Hanfler, Erika Peterson, Jason Peterson, Sara Jelinski, Loren Jelinski and Caden Larson; great-grandchildren, Bethany Hanfler, Stephanie Hanfler, Carrine Peterson, Joseph Hanfler and Lilly Jelinski. Leona was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley & Marie (Koshenina) Koroll; son, Bruce Jelinski and granddaughter, Lisa Jelinski. Honorary pallbearers will be Donna Kalis, Linda Scepurek, Lori Schneider, June Shutter, Lucy Gessell and Karen Welle. Casket Bearers will be Jason Peterson, Corey Jelinski, Loren Jelinski, Danny Maslowski, Melvin Piekarski and Kris Hanfler.