Irene Pylka

Funeral service for Irene Akra Pylka, 92, of Hermantown, formerly of Aurora, will be held at 1 pm Thursday, September 4, 2014 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Brendan Johnston officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Irene died Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center in Duluth. She was born on February 13, 1922 to Oscar and Mary (Erkola) Maki in Argo Township. She grew up and attended school in Embarrass, graduating from the Embarrass High School, Class of 1943. Irene was united in marriage to Leonard Pylka on March 2, 1946 in Virginia. Irene was very active in the community as a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Aurora and the Aurora Color Guard where she marched in the 4th of July parades. Irene and Leonard were honored as Grand Marshall of the Aurora 4th of July parade. Irene was a member of the Kaleva Hall in Virginia. She had been employed at the White Community Hospital as a housekeeper. She was a charter member of the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Aurora. Irene enjoyed camping, gardening, fishing, attending Twins games with Leonard and traveling. She had the opportunity to travel to Finland, twice. Survivors include her husband of 68 years: Leonard; daughter, Peggy (Doug) MacDonald of Duluth; son, Bruce (Susie) Pylka of Cloquet; four grandchildren: Shelly (Jud) Crist of Duluth, Jason (Mina Yee) MacDonald of Duluth, Chad (Jessica) Pylka and Wade Pylka both of Minneapolis; five great-grandchildren: Auston and Dylan Crist, Mason MacDonald, and Finley and Emilia Pylka; one sister: Anerva Pylka of Babbitt; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Mary Maki; and seven siblings: Tauno, Toivo, Roy, Aune, Otmar, Arvo, and Tula Maki.