Obituary: Jokinen, Margaret Florence (Bunke)
Age 97
She was born in Hettinger, North Dakota on June 7, 1917 to Arthur and Gevina Bunke.
She was raised, along with two brothers and two sisters on the family farm near Bucyrus, N.D., where they endured the Great Depression and Dustbowl.
After graduating from high school early, she traveled to Minnesota (felt she had arrived in Paradise!)
to help her sister; returned to North Dakota, then made the journey to Spokane in 1943 during WWII, feeling there would be opportunities out west.
There she met her husband, Verne, with whom she had five children.
Her children and grandchildren would be the light of her life.
Later, she became a single mom with five children still at home and worked very hard to provide for them all.
She cleaned housed for many people, many of whom she would develop strong relationships with for decades!
Not wanting to retire, she chose to work up to the age of 88!
She loved dancing and went once or twice a week, well into her 80’s.
She especially looked forward to any holiday where is was possible to have a family gathering at her home.
Preceding her in passing were her ex-husband, Verne; sister Gladys Liljegren; brothers Milton and Dale Bunke; daughter-in-law Alice Jokinen and granddaughter Shanan Harrington.
She is survived by her four sons, Verne, Bruce, Roy (Linda), Mark (Debbie); her daughter Marcia Harrington (Jim); her sister Hazel Hunt; also 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Margaret will be very missed.
The simple pleasures in her life, like music, dancing, cooking (especially for others), her yard and flowers, kept her very active into her 90’s.
She had a welcoming spirit that made her home inviting to all.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Sullivan Park Care Center and Hospice of Spokane for the always upbeat and positive care given to Margaret during her time there!
Funeral Service will be held at Hazen and Jaeger Funeral Home (1306 N. Monroe) on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:00 PM.
There will be a one hour visitation time preceding the service, and viewing immediately following the service.
Reception to follow at the VFW, 300 W. Mission Avenue at 2:30 PM.