Jack E. Erkkila

Jack Edward Erkkila, 69, of Babbitt, Mn formerly of Lake Mills, Iowa died January 5, 2025 at St Luke’s Hospital in Duluth with his sisters by his side.

 He was born July 19, 1955 in Virginia, Minnesota the third of four children to Arthur and Dorothy (Chiabotti) Erkkila. Jack was a 1973 graduate of Babbitt High School and went on to graduate the machinist program from Staples Vo-Tech. Following his schooling he moved to Lake Mills, Iowa and began his career for Winnebago in Forest City, Iowa. He retired there with 30 years of service as a Machinist Supervisor. Jack was a talented craftsman and woodworker spending his time creating wonderful things for his home and family to enjoy. 

 Upon his retirement in 2010 he returned to Babbitt taking over the family home and building a new workshop. Here he enjoyed re-connecting with family and his two best friends Mark and Dale Huseby. Spending his days fishing, four wheeling, working in his shop, feeding the deer and spending time with family at the cabin on Little Birch, watching the next generation enjoy it just as much as he did.

 Jack is survived by his siblings: Kathy (Gary) Dale of Warroad, Monica (Rob) Curtiss of Babbitt and James Erkkila of Babbitt; nephews and nieces: Gerald (Katie) Dale, Chad (Janel) Dale, James (Kristen) Lesemann, Pamela Lesemann and Emily (Craig) Seliskar of Ely; several great nieces and nephews.

 Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Dorothy and his sister-in-law Delores Erkkila.

 Visitation will be at 10am with a Memorial Service to follow at 11am Friday, January 17, 2025 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt with Deacon Greg Hutar officiating. Burial will be in the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt, Minnesota. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.