Obituary of KOSKINEN – Ellen Marguerita

September 25, 1927 – March 20, 2011 Ellen Koskinen, beloved wife of Ray Koskinen of Calgary, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the age of 83 years. Born in Benalto, AB, she attended Business College in Calgary and worked as a bookkeeper. She met Ray and they were married on June 2, 1950. Ray and Ellen owned and operated Koskinen’s Kennels in Calgary for over twenty years, providing a home away from home not only to family pets, but to the many young people who visited and worked there over the years. Retirement offered many wonderful years of wintering in the Mohave Valley helping Ray and friends train their Labrador retrievers into Field Trial Champions. Besides her loving husband, Ellen is survived by her two children, Kathryn Rinehart and fiancé Dale Senger, Garry (Kim) Koskinen and four grandchildren, Kaylee (Curtis) Woronuk, Dustin Koskinen, Stefanie Rinehart and fiancé Ian Muth, Cody Koskinen and fiancé Kate Schuman; her sister-in-law Ailee Ropsfelt and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Jack and Siri Ropsfelt and her brother Oliver. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Eastside Memorial Chapel (5388 Memorial Drive N.E.) on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer Society of Calgary, Suite 201, 222 – 58th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T2H 2S3, Telephone: (403)290-0110, .The family extends their deepest gratitude to the entire staff of unit 500, Forest Grove Care Center for their compassionate care. In living memory of Ellen Koskinen, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside Memorial Chapel, 5388 MEMORIAL DRIVE N.E. Telephone: (403) 248-8585.