Doris E. Perala

Doris E. Perala, 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the Villa Marina Health and Rehabilitation Center in Superior, WI. She battled cancer for almost sixteen years and is now at peace. She was born April 3, 1931 in Maple, WI to Hugo and Ellen (Koivu) Anttila and was a life-long Maple resident.

Doris attended the Maple Corner Elementary School, and then graduated from Central High School in Superior, WI in 1949. She worked at Maple Coop Services after high school and then was employed as a bookkeeper in the County Clerk’s Office in the Douglas County Courthouse in Superior, WI. She paid all the bills for the county including payroll and other operational expenses. She was very proud of that job because she did it all with her left hand because of her handicapped right hand. Doris worked there for fifteen years until she married the love of her life, Arnold Perala on October 3, 1970. They enjoyed thirty-eight years of marriage before Arnold’s death on Christmas Eve morning of 2008.They enjoyed traveling to many U.S. states and were very proud of their trip to Finland to visit many relatives.

Doris was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Maple, WI and both Doris and Arnold were members of the Old Brule Heritage Society. Doris enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, and she loved to crochet. She made many beautiful items throughout the years including fifty full size afghans for family and friends.

She is survived by one brother, John (Peggy) Anttila, Maple; one sister, Doreen (John) Swanson, Brule; one niece; four nephews and several grand nieces and grand nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; her parents and infant brother, Dennis.

Visitation will be Monday, January 16, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 East Fifth Street, Superior and will resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in Faith Lutheran Church in Maple, WI at 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM funeral service with Pastor John Knierim officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Cemetery. Lunch will follow at the Brule Town Hall. Pallbearers will be Jim, John, Jeff and Jody Anttila, Andrea Yrjanainen, Jim Pellman, Stanley Jacobson and Roger Harning. Honorary pallbearers will be her good friends, Toni Jones, Joyce Cronin, Lorraine Korhonen, Doris Haukkala, Jeanne Ellison and Francis Ostrom.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Villa Marina Staff for their exceptional care of Doris while she was a resident there.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.