Amanda "Elaine" Popovich

Amanda "Elaine" Popovich, 90, of Aurora died Tuesday December 6, 2011 at Essentia St. Mary's in Duluth, MN. Visitation 5-7 PM Friday December 9 at the Ziemer Moeglin Shatava funeral home in Aurora, and one hour before the 11 AM Funeral service Saturday December 10, 2011 at the Palo Congregational Church. Visitation begins at 10 AM, interment at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora, Rev. Doug Sathren officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to Palo Congregational Church. Elaine was born in Embarrass, MN to John and Mary (Numikoski) Mattson September 27, 1921. She attended school in Embarass, Winton, Markham, and Aurora. Elaine married Joseph Popovich of Markham at the Serbian Orthodox Church in Chisholm on May 4, 1941. Elaine worked at the Woolworth store and McKenna Studio in Virginia, Markham, and Makinen stores and Salmi homes in Palo, MN. The family ran a Grade A Dairy Farm from 1958 to 1973. The Popovich's sold the farm and moved to Aurora, buying their current home and a mobile home park which they operated for 26 years. Elaine was a member of the Palo Congregational Church and Women of the Church, the Aurora Senior Citizens Club, and was a Colvin township clerk. She is survived by five children; daughter Joanne Larson, sons Duane (Janice), Rudolph (Lyn), Gordon (Vickie), Larry (Robin); 10 Grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; sister-in-laws Rose Gettys, Joyce Popovich, Carmen Mattson; many extended family members and friends whom she cherished besides her family. Elaine is preceded in death by her husband Joseph; her parents; sisters Edna Perkola, Hazel (Jalmer) Toikka, Saima (Emil) Maki, Elsie Juhola in infancy, brothers Matt (Ann), Urho, George, Wilho (Helen) Mattson, Frank and John (Tini) Juhola; son-in-law John Larson, and granddaughter Brenda Popovich.