Aune Matilda Fadum

She was born to Nikolai and Mayme (Keranen) Niemi on February 8, 1918 in Eveleth, MN. Aune’s parents came from Finland as teenagers and only spoke Finnish at home. Therefore, Aune spoke Finnish as her main language and learned English while attending elementary school in Eveleth. She graduated from Cherry High School. She went on to graduate from the Duluth State Teachers College and later received her Masters’ degree in Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Aune started her teaching career in several one room schools and also taught in Cook, MN and Nett Lake, MN. While living in Cook, Aune was active at Trinity Lutheran church which included singing in the church choir, church circle and teaching Sunday school.

Aune married Julius Fadum on January 3, 1948 in Minneapolis. They began their married life in Cook, MN. In 1965, the couple moved to Duluth, MN where Aune taught at the University’s Lab school and then went on to teach as an associate professor at UMD until her retirement in 1988. While teaching at UMD, Aune also taught summer classes at The College of St. Scholastica. Aune’s true passion was teaching, whether they were elementary age children or college students. She not only incorporated the use of puppets in her teaching, but made puppets as well. Aune’s thesis title for her Masters’ degree was “Puppetry: A Multisensory Approach To Learning.” Aune also supervised elementary education student teachers all over northern MN. Aune’s teaching career spanned 50 years. After her retirement, Aune took on the role of childcare giver for her granddaughter Anja for 3 years. She often said these were the best years of her life.

Aune was a member of Kenwood Lutheran Church for almost 50 years and was a member of the church choir, church circle and several committees. Aune also sang with the Jarvenpaa Singers, a Finnish choir. Aune traveled with the Jarvenpaa singers to many Finn Fest events. She was very proud of her Finnish heritage.

Aune was also active with the 20th Century Club (a literary organization), Women’s Club, and Delta Kappa Gamma and was an officer at the local and state levels.

Traveling the globe was a passion for Aune. Prior to Julius’ death, they traveled to the Greek Islands, Hawaii, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, cruised the Panama Canal and Alaska, camped on the Serengeti desert in Africa, went on an African safari, and walked the Great Wall of China, to name a few of their adventures.

Aune was a voracious reader with books lining her entire home. In the winter, she enjoyed cross country skiing at her cabin in Solon Springs, WI. Summers could find Aune canoeing, boating, and fishing at the cabin where she enjoyed hosting the annual family reunion.

Everyone who knew Aune said she touched their lives with her positive, kind nature and generosity. Her wonderful sense of humor was enjoyed by all.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Julius; siblings Inez, Julia, Sylvia, Raymond, and Leonard; in- laws Andeline and J.I. Fadum; sisters- in- law Frances Wheaton and Angelet Gustafson; brothers- in- law Eino Rengo, George Hendrickson, and Clarence Gustafson; nephews Laird Rengo and Donny Niemi; and grandchild Gabriel Fadum.

Survivors include a daughter, Cheryl (Dick) Lowery of Menomonie, WI.; a son, Brent (Luann) Fadum of Hermantown, MN.; a daughter, Tammy (Eric) Saksa of Duluth, MN.; nine grandchildren, Erin (Ken) Corkran, Becca (Greg) Nisius, Uriah, Fionna, and Yulea Fadum, Nikki Gislason, Brice Hendrickson, Anja and Anders Saksa; sister Miriam Hendrickson; brother Donald Niemi; sisters- in- law Ardis Niemi, Arlene Niemi, and Dolores Niemi; brother- in- law Ralph Wheaton; four great grandchildren, Blake and Wyatt Nisius, Annika and Brooks Corkran; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Special thanks to Dr. Sandy Popham, Dr. Ingrid Nisswandt Larsen, Sandy Lindquist, the caregivers who cared for Aune in her home: Anja, Nikki, Karen, Marlys, Sara, Hannah, Anna, Mary, and Diane; Therese the hospice nurse and the hospice team.

Blessed be the memory of this child of God.

Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday August 15, 2014 in Jarvi-Dowd Chapel and from 10 until the 11 a.m. service Saturday August 16, 2014 in Kenwood Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Kenwood Lutheran Church.

Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, 925 E. Fourth St.