Estelle Marietta (Kurttila) Rokala

Estelle Marietta (Kurttila) Rokala, age 89, of Buffalo formerly of Dassel, died Monday, March 3, 2025, at The Glenn Buffalo Cottages in Buffalo, Minnesota. A funeral service will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 2:30 pm at the Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church with Pastor Bob Tumberg officiating. The interment will be held at the Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery following the service. A visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service on Sunday afternoon at the Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church on Sunday, March 9, 2025. Estelle Marietta (Kurttila) Rokala, the daughter of Waino “Wayne” Andrew and Maria Severina “Rena” (Lehto) Kurttila, was born on February 28, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan. Estelle was baptized and confirmed in the Apostolic Lutheran Faith and was presently a member of the Kingston Apostolic Lutheran Church in Kingston. As a young girl, her family moved from Detroit, Michigan to Brainerd, where Estelle grew up and graduated from Brainerd High School. On September 20, 1958, Estelle was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” William Rokala at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. For a few years they made their home in Minneapolis before moving to a farm near Kingston, Minnesota. In Kingston they farmed for many years while raising their family of 5 children. Later after leaving farming and moving to Litchfield Estelle was employed by the Litchfield School District. During this time Estelle challenged herself by attending Ridgewater in Hutchinson and obtained her degree at the age of 44. Estelle’s husband Dick passed away in early 1989 and then on April 28, 1990, Estelle was united in marriage to Gary Lee Schmieg. Together they made their home in Howard Lake for many years. Later Estelle lived in Cokato for several years before moving to Dassel. After a series of medical setbacks Estelle moved to The Glenn Cottages in Buffalo where she resided until her passing. She loved to sew and bake, especially overnight buns and Banana Bread. She was a talented musician who played the piano and organ along with participating in the Litchfield Community Choir and sang in the Memorial Day service choir. She enjoyed getting together for the holidays and other family get-togethers, especially Saturday night saunas. She is survived by her children, Bruce (Rachelle) Rokala of Kimball, Bradley (Lisa) Rokala of Kingston, Bonnie (Peter) Hanson of St. Michael, Gregory (Kim) Rokala of Annandale, and Richard (Rachel) Rokala Jr. of St. Michael, 17 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Estelle was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, her parents, Waino “Wayne” and Maria Kurttila and her brother, Milton Kurttila.

Estelle Marietta (Kurttila) Rokala

February 29, 1936 - March 3, 2025