Ainez K. Hayunga

On May 28, 2025, Ainez Kathleen Hayunga passed away in her apartment at Talamore, at the age of 89. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at the Motley Free Methodist Church in Motley, MN with Rev. Jim Johnson officiating. Burial will take place in the Scandia Valley Cemetery (Ogema Point) in Cushing, MN. Visitation will be held from 10-11 A.M. on Wednesday at the Motley Free Methodist Church in Motley, MN. Caring for Ainez and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN. Ainez was born to Henry and Leola Sweep on March 8, 1936, in Lynden, Washington. The family later moved to Clara City, MN, where she attended Clara City High School and met her future husband, Dale. They were married on January 14, 1953. They farmed side by side for 22 years and were blessed with four daughters. She provided a bountiful garden and preserved much of what she produced. Ainez was very artistic, musical and enjoyed many hobbies. She designed beautiful, large flower gardens and quilts, donating some for missions. She painted on canvas with oils, painted Dale’s carved ducks and stage background scenery. Musically, she played piano and sang many songs even to the end of her life. She enjoyed teaching English to Vietnamese immigrants, painting, and quilting. Her clever and witty sense of humor entertained many. With Ainez as his navigator, they flew Dale’s float plane to the Arctic Circle three times, living in a tent and catching fish as long as their arms. In over 700 flying hours, they were only lost once! A few highlights of their adventures were feeding Arctic foxes from their hands, viewing musk ox, grizzlies and caribou as far as the eye could see from right outside of their tent. Ainez’s record was a 49”, 25-pound northern! They also hunted elk together in the Rockies three weeks each fall. Ainez is survived by her loving husband, Dale, of St. Cloud, who will forever carry her memory in his heart; daughters; Tambrance ( Thomas) Huisinga of Spicer, MN; Dorothy ( Don) Huisinga of Willmar, MN; Laurie Vreeman of Spicer, MN; and Brenda ( John) Fedor of Randall, MN; 11 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren; siblings, Laverne Sweep and Sharon Sweep-Ogawa. Ainez was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Duane and Darrell Sweep; son-in-law, Terry Vreeman and granddaughter, Jennifer Norbie.

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Ainez K. Hayunga

March 8, 1936 - May 28, 2025