Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
ALMONT, Mich. - Patricia "Patti" Annette Leinonen, 85, of Almont, passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Newnan, Georgia. She was born Aug. 8, 1937, in Trout Creek, the daughter of Willard and Vera Strangle (Niemi). Her parents were both of Finnish descent.
Patricia grew up in Trout Creek and graduated from Trout Creek High School in the class of 1955. She was valedictorian of her 15-person class - eight boys, seven girls.
In June 1957, she graduated from Northern Michigan College with a certificate in home economics.
She married Denver Leinonen on Aug. 10, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Trout Creek. In 1962, they moved to Almont, where he taught for 25 years. They were married for 63 years.
Patricia is survived by her son, James Leinonen of Lakewood, California, and his daughter, Erin Leinonen of Las Vegas; and son, Jerry (Marci) Leinonen of Newnan, and their sons, Austin and Blake Leinonen, also of Newnan. Preceding her in death was her husband, Denver; parents, Williard and Vera; and brother, Stanley.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Imlay City, at 2 p.m. on Aug. 10.
A burial service will be held at Covington Township Cemetery in Covington, on Tuesday, Aug. 15. It will start after first meeting at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington at 2 p.m.
