Myrna Maikkula

Myrna was born on March 18, 1947, to Oscar and Ailie (Wiljanen) Sunnarborg. She was baptized and confirmed at the Esko Apostolic Lutheran Church. On October 11, 1969, she married Dale Maikkula in a ceremony officiated by Pastor Wayne Juntenen. The couple originally made their home in New Hope and later in Brooklyn Park.

A lifelong member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church, Myrna actively participated in church life, playing on both the softball and volleyball teams, serving in the Ladies Circle, and teaching Sunday School. Her faith remained central throughout her life, and she maintained an extensive prayer list of people she met through what she called "divine appointments" - many of whom she knew only by their first names.

Myrna devoted herself to raising her family as a stay-at-home mother from 1971 to 1987. She then served as City Clerk of Brooklyn Park from 1987 to 1998, a tenure that included the years when Jesse Ventura served as mayor. She also served as an Election Judge for many years.

In 1997, Myrna was diagnosed with cancer and took time off for treatment. She later returned to work for several law firms until 2018, when she retired from Dorsey & Whitney to care for Dale. In 2020, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

Myrna's interests and hobbies were varied and numerous. She loved hosting parties, knitting, and crocheting. She served as an elementary school chess coach and was an active volunteer in the elementary school from 1976 to 1981, serving on the PTA. She often joked that in all her volunteer roles, she had done every job except cleaning the toilets. Myrna enjoyed traveling, working puzzles, reading, and lifelong learning. In 2022, she took up bike riding, demonstrating her spirit of adventure well into her later years.

Hospitality was one of Myrna's greatest gifts. She took joy in welcoming guests and ensuring they felt at home, were entertained, and were well-fed. From 1972 to 2018, Myrna and Dale hosted an annual Christmas party. For many years, they also hosted a Super Bowl party complete with a traveling trophy for guests.

Over many years, Myrna and Dale opened their home to numerous exchange students - by one count, over 40 young people. Some stayed for just a few nights, others for weeks or months, and several - Juho, Mustafa, Joe, Francisco, and Rodrigo - lived with them for full school years. Each student both shared their culture and learned from the family experience.

Their generosity was rewarded through travel opportunities, as Dale and Myrna were blessed to visit many of their former exchange students in their home countries. They also enjoyed traveling and cruising with many friends from their church community.

Myrna was preceded in death by her husband, Dale; her parents, Oscar and Ailie; her in-laws, Marvin and Lila; brother-in-law, Lyle; and sister, Lois.

She is survived by her sons, Scott, Peter (Asal), and Joe (Ana) Maffei; her daughter, Sara (Pietro) Serazzi; and her grandchildren, Isabella and Nicholas Serazzi.

Myrna's life was characterized by her deep love for her family and the Lord, her generous spirit, and her gift for making everyone feel welcomed and valued.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 7th from 5-7PM at Gearty- Delmore Robbinsdale Chapel, 3888 W Broadway Ave, Robbinsdale, MN 55422. Funeral Service will be Monday, September 8 at 1 PM with a visitation an hour prior at Plymouth Lutheran Church, 11015 Old County Rd 15, Plymouth, MN 55441.