Evelyn Marie Eskeli, 88

Evelyn Marie Eskeli, 88, passed away August 30, 2026, in Minneapolis, MN. She was born June 2nd, 1938, in Thief River Falls, MN, to parents Woodrow and Laina (Kauppila) Eskeli. She was baptized and confirmed at the Immanual Lutheran Church in Plummer, and she attended school in Plummer, graduating with the class of 1956.

Following high school, Evelyn attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, before later moving to the Minneapolis area where she worked in several secretarial and administrative positions with various companies. She later worked at Donor Services with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Minneapolis until her retirement in 2003.

Throughout her life, and especially in retirement, Evelyn was extremely active in several Finnish organizations. She was Director and President of the Salolampi Foundation which raises funds and provides scholarships for students to attend the Finnish Language Village near Bemidji, MN. Salolampi is also one of several Language Village Programs of Concordia College in Moorhead. Evelyn was also President of Finnish American Cultural Activities Inc., and a member of the Finnish American Society in Minneapolis.

Evelyn spoke fluent Finnish, and she and her sister Glenyce traveled extensively throughout Finland over the years to experience the Finnish culture firsthand. Evelyn and Glenyce also attended many annual FinnFest celebrations throughout the United States, to include FinnFest 1999 in Seattle, Washington, where she and Glenyce enjoyed a FinnFest sponsored cruise to Alaska.

Evelyn’s interests included tennis, golf, hiking, dancing, travel, photography, and music. She was also an active and dedicated member of the Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.

Evelyn is survived by her brother Bruce of Plummer, MN, along with numerous cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Woodrow and Laina, sister Glenyce, brother Rodney (Jill), grandparents Nick and Ilmi Eskeli and William and Lempi (Piikila/Kauppila) Waha.

A memorial service will be held at the Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis on Wednesday, October 7th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. She will be interred at the Finnish Cemetery in Plummer, MN, at a later date.