KAISER, Aileen [Aili Eleanora]

Aileen Kaiser (formerly Aili Eleanora Maunu) passed away peacefully on Nov. 9 in Denver. Her daughters Karen Kaiser and Vera Skinner were by her side. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Froelich G. Kaiser, her sister, Elvira Andreoli, and brother, Carl Maunu. Her parents were both from Finland and came to Leadville as youths to work in the mining industry and raise their young family. Their first home was in what was called Finntown by the locals. Kaiser recalled houses painted in pinks and yellows in her youth - this probably helped these immigrants get through harsh Leadville winters, her family said. Kaiser was always ready to return to her home in Leadville, the place she loved most. There is nothing left of Finntown Parrish but memories and the new bridge that crosses the road up Johnny Hill, lifting the modern Mineral Belt Trail that passes by and surrounds Leadville for 12 miles. These mountains where Aili Eleanora Maunu was born and lived all her life hold a lot of memories and a lot of history. Her father, Peter (Pekka Everett) Maunu, who was a musician as well as a miner, referred to her as Princess Northern Lights, which is what her name actually meant. Her mother, Emma Paivarenta, took care of household duties and apparently was a good seamstress, keeping her daughters stylish even during hard times. As a youngster, Kaiser learned music and learned to accompany her father on the piano as he played the violin for events and dances. She recalled her boat trips across Twin Lakes to play music at Interlaken Lodge. She spoke both Finnish, her first language, and English as her second language and was said to be eloquent in both languages. A fond memory for her was singing and dancing as a young child in the small hall near their home where families often gathered for celebrations and small plays. She often corrected herself or her daughters' usage of English terms and was fond of words. She never stopped learning and loved words to the end of her life. She was frustrated as her vision dimmed, and she could no longer do her daily crossword puzzles or read newspapers. She was an avid learner and never stopped being curious about new subjects. Kaiser lived with her two daughters after her husband's death in 1993 until she needed a higher level of assistance after breaking a hip while visiting Karen Kaiser's California vacation home in 2004. After several months of recuperation from hip-replacement surgery, Aileen Kaiser went to assisted living at St. Paul Health Center in Denver where she resided until her death. Kaiser is survived by her daughters Vera (Duane) Skinner and Karen Kaiser (Bill Thach); grandchildren Crystal Mars, Cody (Matt) Reed, Kit (Heather) Skinner, Wende Nossaman, Aason (Eric) Alms, Jason Thach and Rebecca (Pat) Depirro; and great-grandchildren Taylor and Devron Skinner, Cormac Reed, Brayden and Ava Alms, and Charlotte and Hudson Depirro. She also is survived by nieces and nephews Janet Wear (her most conscientious visitor), Paul Maunu, Peter (Irmi) Maunu, Susan North and their children, Dean Wear (Kathy) Matti Maunu and Trista North. Unfortunately, Kaiser missed recent contact with many relatives in Finland through Facebook which she would have loved to see. The family will gather to remember Aili Kaiser in Leadville next summer. 2012