Bernard "Bernie" Sarkela

Memorial service for Bernard “Bernie” John Sarkela, 69, of Tower and Gilbert will be 10 am Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth with Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Mr. Sarkela died Friday, January 30, 2015 at Essentia Health Virginia. Bernie was born on June 3, 1945 to John and Virginia (Payne) Sarkela in Virginia. He grew up and attended school in Soudan, graduating from the Tower-Soudan High School, Class of 1963. Following high school, Bernie attended Bemidji State University, graduating with an education degree. He taught for three years at Newton Jr. High School in Hacienda Heights, CA. Bernie was employed for the Eveleth/Gilbert Schools as a Jr. High and High School science instructor until his retirement after 30+ years of service. During the summers, Bernie was also employed in road construction, retiring as a 49er. Bernie was united in marriage to Diane Maki on June 1, 1968 at the Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth. He was a member of the United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth. Bernie was a member of the Gilbert City Council and the Gilbert Police Commission. Bernie had volunteered as a Cub and Boy Scout Master. He coached hockey, basketball, track and football. Bernie was a member of the Blue Line Club, helping to establish the “bubble” arena in Gilbert. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing and hunting, and was especially proud of his 28 point buck. Bernie also enjoyed billiards, golfing, collecting rocks, and traveling with his family to locations including Iceland, Finland, and Hawaii. He is survived by his wife of 46 years: Diane; four children: Lee Sarkela of St. Paul, Jon Sarkela of Duluth, Russell Sarkela of Sparta, and Angel (Andrew) Sarkela-Saur of Duluth; one granddaughter: Annika Saur; a sister: Georgette (Bill Hardesty) Sarkela of Duluth; nine sister and brother-in-laws: Judy Mohar, Ken (Char) Maki, Rudy Maki, David (Betty Spragg) Maki, Lois (Bob Hill) Maki, Richard Maki, Harold (Cathy) Maki, Cindy (Roger) Nelson, and Jeanne (Dave) Bombich; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins both in the US and Finland. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Judy Reinhardt; step-father, Walter Salo; step-brother, Bill Salo; one sister-in-law: Linda Maki and a brother-in-law: Bob Mohar.