Patricia Leinonen

She was born August 8, 1937 in Trout Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Willard and Vera Strangle (Niemi).

She graduated from Trout Creek High School in 1955 as the valedictorian of her 15-person class.

In June 1957, she graduated from Northern Michigan College with a certificate in Home Economics.

Denver William Leinonen and Patricia Annette Strangle were married on Aug. 10, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Trout Creek, Michigan. They were married for 63 years.

They moved to Ewen in 1957 after Denver was hired by the Ewen Public Schools to teach physical education, and coach all school sports. At the same time, Patricia was hired by the Rockland Schools to teach home economics.

After graduating with an M.A. from Northern Michigan College in 1962, Denver and Patricia moved to Almont, Michigan.

Everyone called her Patti or Pat and she had many talents; painter, crochet, singing, sewing, designer, cook and much more.

The couple would spend the school calendar year in Almont and their summers in Covington on the farm, which became one of a few centennial farms in Baraga County in later years. It was later recognized as a Michigan Historic Site.

She was an original founder with Denver in the Covington Historical Museum in 1997. It is one of the few landmarks remaining in town.

Patricia is survived by her son James Leinonen of Lakewood, California and his daughter Erin Leinonen of Las Vegas, Nevada; son Jerry (Marci) Leinonen of Newnan, Georgia and their sons Austin, Blake Leinonen also of Newnan.

Preceding her in death is her husband Denver, parents Williard and Vera, brother Stanley.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Imlay City, Michigan at 2 p.m. on August 10.

A burial service will be held at Covington Township Cemetery in Covington, Michigan on Tuesday, August 15. It will start after first meeting at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Covington at 2 p.m.