Kathleen "Kay" Perttula, 88, a lifelong resident of Esko, passed away with all her girls by her side Monday, January 12, 2026.

Kay was born in Cloquet, MN on November 17, 1937 to Hjalmer and Hilma (Peters) Juntunen.  She lived most of her life in Esko, graduating from Lincoln High School and from UMD, earning a degree in education.  Kay married Marlen Perttula on March 19, 1958 in Esko. They had two daughters, four granddaughters, and six great-grandchildren.

Kay had various jobs during her life, including being employed as an elementary teacher, a dispatcher for a trucking company, a real estate agent (working with her brother Chum), and a reluctant house flipper with her husband Marlen.  Kay was the manager of Larson Commons in Cloquet for many years until her retirement.

She was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko.  Kay was thankful to be a part of a large, loving, and fun family.  She loved to tell stories about growing up as the youngest sibling.

Kay enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, attending Church Bible study, spending time with her family, and travel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marlen; her sisters Lorna Johnston, Betty Bergstedt, Elsa Carlson, Martha Boutang, and Lucille Juntunen; her brothers, William, Carl, Art, Earl, Joe, Denny, Roy and Merton "Chum" Juntunen.

Kay is survived by her daughters, Laura Perttula, and Sara (John) Johnson; her granddaughters, Holly (Kevin) Karjala, Ashley (Kenny) Heehn, Megan (Emery Eiber) Johnson, and Elsa (Rick) Mattson; her great grandchildren, William, Mikko, Hanna, Otto, Matti and Hilda.

A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Apostolic Lutheran Church Cemetery in Esko, MN.

A special thank you to the staff at New Perspective Senior Living in Cloquet and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care and compassion during Kay's end of life journey.

Arrangements by Downs Life Celebration Center, 1902 N 34th St., Superior, WI.