Arlene 'Cookie' Aho

LAKELAND, Minn. - Arlene "Cookie" Aho, 76, of Lakeland, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2018.

Cookie was born November 27, 1941 in Ironwood, Mich. to Eugene and Alyce (Brown) Kujanson. When she was nine years old her father gave her the nickname "Cookie" because he thought she looked like Cookie Bumstead, the daughter of Blondie and Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie comic strip.

Cookie graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in Ironwood. She met Glen Aho on a blind date set up by her best friend, Darlene, and Glen's best friend, Norm. Glen was smitten and in 1959 they married. The young couple moved to the Iron Range to begin their new life together. Cookie was married to Glen for 57 years and devoted to her family.

Cookie was always willing to roll up her sleeves and lend a hand whenever her family needed it. She was there to hammer a nail or paint a wall. She loved to bake and of course the cookie jar was never empty.

Her competitive spirit came through; whether it was bowling, playing volleyball or cribbage and especially when it came to fishing. Cookie holds the family record with a 21-inch brook trout which proudly hangs on the wall above Glen's 19-inch brook trout.

Cookie's sweet nature was not without an impish side. Grandchildren were sure to have presents of socks or bubble wrap for birthdays or Christmas. More than one overnight guest found their bed short sheeted when they came for a visit. And, after tenderly caring for an injured family member Cookie sent a bill for services rendered.

Cookie is loved and missed by her husband, Glen; son, Greg (Wanda Santa) Aho; daughters, Jackie (Warren) Swartz and Carrie (Ethan) Kayes; grandchildren, April (Jason) Patterson, Evan (Laura) Swartz, Jacob Kayes, Matthew Aho, Joshua Aho; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Sandy (Bob) Ahonen and Patricia (Kurt) Nyman and brother, Dennis Kujanson.

Her memory is a blessing.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Landmark Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia with Pastor Joel Hasz officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will be held in Rauha Cemetery, Town of White. Afterward, family and friends will gather at the home of Jackie and Warren Swartz to share memories of one tough Cookie.