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Maria Luukkonen Obituary
There will be no local funeral services. She will be buried in Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert, Minnesota with her husband. McLaughlin Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Born June 20, 1927 in Turin, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Ambrogio Capello and Giuseppina Nervo Capello. She was married to Toivo J. "Tuggie" Luukkonen, and he preceded her in death on January 9, 1978.
During World War II, Mrs. Luukkonen worked in the PX on a military base near Pisa, Italy, selling goods to the servicemen, where she met her future husband. She moved from northern Italy to Sparta, Minnesota with her husband as a war bride in 1947. She worked for over thirty years in Luukkonen's Grocery Store, until her husband's death in 1978, when she sold the store. She then went to work in the Palace Clothing Store in Virginia, and when it closed, she went to work at Shoes & Things Clothing Store, where she worked for nearly two decades until her retirement. Shortly before her 86th birthday, she moved to Sedalia to live with her older sister, Laura Marie Beatty, who preceded her in death on June 10, 2024. Continuing her love of retail, she enjoyed working in the gift shop at Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Maria Luukkonen
3 Entries
Joyce Monroe
February 1, 2025
Mary was fun to be around--always smiling. I met her and Laura through BRHC Auxiliary. They both enjoyed working in the gift shop and it was definitely a pleasure to know them.
Karen Suroff
January 31, 2025
I met Mary though her sister Laura. Mary was fun, and sometimes full of mischief. She loved working in the gift shop at Bothwell and was highlighted as Amazing volunteer. Everyone enjoyed her so. She having grown up in Italy had some interesting experiences, once seeing Mussolini , her father later told her to wash her hands. I will miss Mary and so glad she was part of my life.
Tanja and Virgil Tagtmeyer
January 31, 2025
We certainly enjoyed knowing Mary. She was a kind and friendly neighbor and friend. She and Laura were great ladies,a lot of fun and brought a taste of Italy to our neighborhood. We are so happy to have known and loved Mary and we shall never forget her. Rest in peace sweet Mary. Give Laura a hug from us.
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