Elsie Edith Maturi, 87, of Virginia, MN passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Elsie was born to Adam and Hilja (Siltala) Takkinen on December 19, 1934 in Chisholm, MN. She attended school in Chisholm, graduating from Chisholm High School in 1952. Elsie was united in marriage to Melvin Maturi on September 27, 1952 in Van Buren, Arkansas. Sadly, Melvin passed away in October of 2000. Elsie said that if she hadn't married her late husband Melvin, she would have wanted him for her best friend, and that he was an honorable and good person. Her companion later in life was Conrad Belfiori, who had graduated with Elsie in high school. They reconnected at their class reunion 5 years ago, and had a special love for each other.

Elsie loved to walk her dog Bella 3 or 4 miles every day, stopping to talk to everyone wherever she went.  She also enjoyed her flower gardens in the summer.  Finnish was her first language, and she was fluent in it's use; writing letters to her cousins in Finland.  She enjoyed traveling, with trips to Finland, Sweden, California, Texas, and Maine.  One of her favorite fulfillments later in life was helping at the Orr School with Terry Kaiser.  She made people laugh, and saw the good in everyone.  Her family meant everything to her.

Her family and friends were lucky she was in our lives, and are better people for having known her.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Melvin.

Elsie is survived by her son: Melvin (Carolyn) Maturi, granddaughter Krystina (Chad) Nickola, and great-grandchildren Kai and Camden; her daughter Cathy (Dean) Rosier, granddaughter Kelly (Easu) Ford, and great-grandchild Mya; granddaughter Laura Rosier, and great-grandchildren Nolan and Jordan; grandson Eric (Diana) Rosier, and great-grandchildren Jack and Brendon; wonderful companion Conrad Belfiori; special friends: Chuck and Netta Thompson, Wendy and Randy Long, Mary Jo Volker, BB Paulson, Tami Beckwidth, Kathleen Laakkonen, and Sally; and other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11:00am at Calvary Lutheran Church, Orr, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The family would prefer live plants to flowers. Memorials in honor of Elsie may be made to Chisholm Library, Orr Ambulance Service or Calvary Lutheran Church. Online condolences to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com