Inga Milja Voelker

Inga was born in Leppavirta and grew up in Varkaus, Finland. She graduated from Rovaniemi Teacher Training College with a teaching degree. In June of 1957 she married Jim Voelker in Helsinki, Finland. She moved to the United States where she started a family, began teaching, and earned her Master’s degree from the University of St. Thomas. She taught kindergarten at Neill Elementary School in the Burnsville school district for 28 years, but that wasn’t enough for Inga. After retirement, she continued to substitute teach for 11 more years.

Inga enjoyed spending time with family and friends, in church, singing, gardening, cooking, traveling and taking pictures. Her time with her family and friends was most important to Inga. She loved having big gatherings where she made everyone feel special, like family.

Inga is survived by her husband of 60 years, Jim; Brother, Ake (Vuokko) & Sister, Anja Aaltonen, along with her nieces, Pia Liisa & Inga; nephew Esko in Finland; Children, Anne Gaasedelen (Dan), Mark (Beth), and Tina Voelker-Ross (William); Grandchildren Blue Ross (Toni), Owen Gaasedelen (Summer), Tiina Gaasedelen, Leah Voelker, Markus Gaasedelen, & Erik Voelker (Ericca); Great grandchildren Brody, Estes & Cecelia.

Inga’s celebration of life memorial service will be held Sunday, September 10th, 2017 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Rd., Apple Valley, MN. Visitation at 1 pm with the service following at 2pm. Memorials preferred in place of flowers to the MN Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.