Sylvia Deloris Maanum

Funeral services for Sylvia Maanum of Champlin, MN will be held Monday, November 14, 2022 at West Zion Lutheran Church in Hancock, MN at 1:00 p.m. with burial to follow at the church cemetery. Reverend Steve Carmany will be officiating. A visitation will take place one hour prior to services.

Sylvia Deloris Maanum was born to Ed and Mae Maanum on December 2, 1931 on the family farm in Hoff Township. Sylvia was one of seven children that would eventually move with her parents to Starbuck, Minnesota, where she would graduate second in her class in 1951. After graduation, Sylvia moved to Minneapolis where she worked for International Harvester balancing their parts records; she remained there until her retirement.

Auntie Sylvia, as many would call her, shared a home with her sister Elaine in New Hope. She was always available to attend the many activities of her nieces and nephews, including choir concerts at church, school and sports activities, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. And then, there were the weekends and holidays on Lake Minnewaska where she taught her nieces and nephews to waterski and swim. As the family documentarian, Sylvia always had her camera handy to take pictures of all the of family celebrations, awards, and events.

Throughout her life, Sylvia went on many adventures, including trips to New York, California, Alaska, the Bad Lands, Australia, Hawaii, and Paris. She was also able to enjoy skiing in Aspen and Vail as well as ride the train to Alaska. Some of her most memorable trips were to her ancestral home in Norway, where her dad and uncles emigrated from.

While Sylvia and sister Elaine shared a home in New Hope, the two made quite the pair. Sylvia was the driver as Aunt Elaine did not drive (luckily). She also took care of the house, garden, and pool, while Elaine thankfully cooked. Sylvia was eventually introduced to poodles by her niece Judy, and, seeing how expensive it was to groom them, went for her dog grooming certificate. This would come in handy with her own poodles: DeJa’Vu, Pasha, Gigi, Koko, and the family dog, Shadow.

Sylvia and Elaine were Minnesota Twins fans, attending many games as season ticket holders. They also attended Kirby Puckett’s induction into the Hall of Fame at Cooperstown. And, when the bobbleheads came out, they would stand in line for hours to get their free one. The two also collected pictures of the players as well as signed memorabilia, including bats, balls, and, of course, homer hankies. Along with her baseball souvenirs, Sylvia also collected the promotional Santa Bears from Dayton’s.

As the family aged, Sylvia and her siblings cared for their aging parents until their passing. Family needs were always very important to them. Sylvia will always be remembered as a quiet, gentle lady with a strong faith and an indominable spirit. She was loved and will be missed.

Sylvia passed away peacefully on Monday, November 7, 2022 while in memory care in Osseo, Minnesota; she was 91 years old.

Sylvia is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Mae Maanum; siblings: Elaine, Allwin, Marvin, Dorraine, Devon, and Claryce. She is survived by her many beloved nieces and nephews.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS MEMORIALS TO WEST ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH ARE PREFERRED

West Zion Lutheran Church
29050 357 Ave.
Hancock, MN 56244

Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Sylvia.