Aino Marie Leppanen Bornfleth, 94

Aino Marie Leppanen Bornfleth was born March 26, 1917, at home in East Lake, Minnesota, to Eino and Hulda (Hanna) Leppanen.  As a child she lived with her family in various communities in the Duluth area.  She married Leslie Bornfleth on May 29, 1936, in Minneapolis.  After marriage they lived in the Minneapolis area until moving to Farmington in 1942.  In 1948, they moved to Nerstrand, in 1965, to Burnsville, and in 1970, to their home in Eureka Township.  Leslie passed away in 1992, and Aino remained at home until moving to Lakeville in 1997.  She has been a resident of the Northfield Retirement Community since January 2010.

Aino was currently the oldest member of Highview Christiania Lutheran Church.  At church she was active in many capacities including WELCA, quilting and making lefse.  Over the years she had also been active with Garden Club, Homemaker’s Club and Birthday Club.  She enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, and time with her family.  She was caring, gentle, lovable, courageous, and a devoted wife and mother.

Survivors include her children: Leslie R. and wife Diane of Yakima, Washington, Karen Morehouse of Tucson, Ellion of Payson, Arizona, Judith and husband Gordon Stanley of Fairfield, Iowa, William of Mitchell, South Dakota; 9 grandchildren: Eric Bornfleth, Bruce Bornfleth, Michelle (Bert) Huelmann, Stephanie McBride, Julia Morehouse (Brian Carney), David Morehouse, Sherida Bornfleth (Richard Glowacki), Kevin (Kristen) Bornfleth, Joshua (Stephanie) Madson; 11 great-grandchildren; her former daughter-in-law, Sharon Bornfleth of Mondovi, Wisconsin;  and other relatives and friends.   She was preceded in death by her husband Leslie, her son Randall, her daughter Renee Madson, her grandson Nathaniel Madson, her parents, and her brother Waldo Leppanen.

Aino passed away with her children by her side on Thursday morning, March 8, 2012, at her home in Parkview East of the Northfield Retirement Community, at the age of 94.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Highview Christiania Lutheran Church in rural Farmington with Rev. Christopher Beckman officiating.  Music will be provided by Lill Sather.  Interment will be in Highview Cemetery.  Casket bearers will be Kevin Bornfleth, Pat Brennen, Joshua Madson, Mark Madson, Gordon Stanley and Mark Timm.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday one hour prior to the funeral.

Memorials are preferred to Highview Christiania Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.