Captain Russell W. Perala, Sr.

Captain Russell W. Perala Sr., 77, longtime Superior resident, died Monday, August 15, 2011 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

He was born on May 13, 1934 in Painesdale, MI to Waino “Sam” and Effie (Holappa) Perala.
Russell graduated from the John A. Doelle Agricultural High School in Tapiola, MI.

He married Rosanne Cline on December 4, 1954 in Pelkie, MI and celebrated fifty-six years of marriage.

He was employed as a Great Lakes Seaman for Kinsman Line for thirty-five years retiring in 1987 as Captain.

Russell was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church, the Moose Lodge #606 and the A.M.O. American Maritime Officers.
He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, loved reading and bowling at Village Lanes.

He is survived by his wife, Rosanne; daughter, Roxanne Renee (Michael) Wilmes, Duluth, MN; four sons, Russell W. (Dawn) Perala, Jr., Iron River, MI, Roger K. (Vivian) Perala, Ray D. (Linda) Perala and Ross A. (Melissa) Perala, all of West Fargo, ND; fifteen grandchildren, Adam (Erika) Perala, Eric (Jennifer) Perala, Samantha (Leland) Walters, Tabatha Bledsoe, Clayton, Christopher, Alexander and Emily Perala, Marty Ann (Jeremy) Robinson, BreeAnn Simonson, Rebecca Carpenter, Brooke and Jordan Nelson, Isaiah (Jenifer) Johns and Quinton Johns and thirteen great-grandchildren, Meredith, Tyler, Marcus, Wyatt, Riley, Hunter, McKenzee, Kristen, Isabella, Trey, Silas, Jye and Elle and several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Jean Perala and longtime family friends Roy and Marvis Harju, Superior, WI.

Russell is preceded in death by his parents, sister Dorothy Reed and brother Kenneth Perala.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 19, 2011 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap Street, Superior and continue until the 3:00 PM funeral service with Pastor Will Mowchan officiating.

Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Superior.

Pallbearers for the service will be Russell’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in Russell’s name to Pilgrim Lutheran Church, the Second Harvest Food Bank or to the Superior School District Scholarship Fund.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements.
To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.