Emma Helen Joki

Emma Helen Joki, 80 of Esko, died Wednesday, October 15, 2008 in Scanlon. She was born in 1928 in Greaney, Minnesota, the daughter of Floryan and Frances Udovich. Emma was a 1945 graduate of Orr High School. She married Weikko Joki on June 23, 1951 in Greaney. Emma worked as a bookkeeper for Arrowhead Creamery/AMPI in Duluth, retiring in 1981 after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Teamsters, Teamsters Retiree Group and served as the Treasurer and was an active member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Carlton, where she was a member of the finance committee. Emma enjoyed gardening, baking, canning, volunteering at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton and was a life-long polka dancer. She was very close to her family, nieces, nephews and godchildren and will be fondly remembered for always having the family Christmas at her home and being a wonderful hostess for the event. She was preceded in death by her daughter, LouAnn Joki in 1978; five brothers, Frank, Louis, Ed, Albin and Algott and three sisters, Ann Starich, Josephine Benko and Julia Maki. Emma is survived by her husband, Weikko of Scanlon; her son, Errol (Joy) Joki of St. Paul; a brother, William Udovich of Concord, North Carolina; a sister, Rose Godec-Bertnick of Chisholm, MN and many nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, October 20, 2008 in St. Francis Catholic Church, Carlton. Private family burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Francis Catholic Church or the charity of donor's choice.