Seija E. Aamodt Obituary (1929 - 2011)

Seija Eva Elina (Patjas) Aamodt passed away October 4, 2011 in Turlock, California at the age of 82 after a long struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. Seija was born June 14, 1929 in Tampere, Finland, one of twin girls born to Matti and Signe Matilda (Lehtola) Patjas. In 1948, she and most of her family were baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were among the very first members of the LDS (Mormon) Church in Finland.In the spring of 1951, she came to the United States to attend Brigham Young University. After a year of study she returned to Finland. Then, in 1955 she returned to BYU. She married Melvin Heber Aamodt on June 7, 1957 in the Salt Lake Temple.During the course of Mel’s studies they lived in Provo, Utah; Madison, Wisconsin; Bloomington, Indiana; and spent one year in Tampere, Finland. They later moved back to Provo, Utah, and in 1970 settled in Turlock, California.Seija was a homemaker for many years while raising her family and then returned to school at California State University, Stanislaus, receiving a BA degree in Psychology and a Teaching Credential for teaching handicapped children. She worked for the Stanislaus County Office of Education as a teacher for 17 years, retiring in 1991. During her years as a teacher she enriched the lives of many children and parents. One of Seija’s greatest pleasures was returning to Finland to visit relatives and friends. She often made this trip with her family. Also, she and her husband were regularly involved in the annual Scandinavian festival held in Turlock. Among other things, Seija loved to read, and one would often find her curled up with a good book. Her husband, children, and grandchildren were her greatest joy in life.She is survived by her husband Mel; her three children, Lisa (Jeff) Rowe of Turlock, California; Chris (Katherine) Fairborn of Spokane, Washington, and Elaine (Nathan) Abba of Sandy, Utah; her grandchildren Ryan Avant, Laura Rowe, Margaret and Colin Fairborn, and Samuel, Matthew, and Natalie Abba; and her brother Sakari (Irja) Patjas of Tampere, Finland. She will be greatly missed by them all.Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 15 at 1:00 p.m. at Jenkins - Soffe Mortuary, 4760 S. State St., Murray, Utah. Viewing and visitation will be prior to the service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at the Elysian Burial Gardens following the service.Seija kulta, now and forever you are dearly dearly loved. - Mel