John W. Pudas

John W. Pudas, 86, of Iron River, WI died Monday, April 20, 2020 at Northern Lights Health Care Center in Washburn, WI. He was born in Superior, March 9, 1934 and spent his early years in Oulu. In 1945, the family moved to Iron River where John learned to play basketball and became one of the stars of his championship Iron River High School team. He also loved baseball and played on school and town teams. He graduated in 1952 and went on to the former Superior State Teachers College where he received his Bachelor and Master Degrees.

Throughout his career, he taught math and coached multiple sports at the Hawkins, Tony and Spooner schools. In 1989, he retired as a Math teacher from the Spooner, WI School District after twenty-nine years of service. John was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Iron River, and the Knights of Columbus Council #12738.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, and enjoyed deer hunting with the “Moran Gang” of Iron River. He also enjoyed fishing trips to various places in the U.S. and Northwest Territories of Canada throughout his lifetime. John also enjoyed reading and spending time with family and friends. Extended family was very important to John and in 1992 he enjoyed a family trip to explore his Pudas roots and visit with relatives in Finland.

John was preceded in death by his birth parents William and Hilda (Pudas) Jarvi, adopted parents George and Marie (Moran) Pudas, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy (Pudas) and Toivo Maki, and brother Gerald Jarvi.

He is survived by his five nieces, Mary Sedin, Poplar, WI, Carolyn (Kirby) Krueger, Bayfield, WI, Elizabeth (Roger) Mannik, Iron River, WI, Bonnie (Ken) Rantala, Iron River, WI, and Barbara (Duane) Lahti, Iron River, WI; twelve grandnieces and grandnephews and their children and grandchildren; and many cousins.

A Celebration of Life and Time of Remembrance will be held at a later date. The time and place will be announced.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in John’s name to St. Michael Catholic Church, 68105 S. George Street, Iron River, WI 54847, or the Oulu Cultural and Heritage Center, 71055 Muskeg Rd. Iron River, WI 54847.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com .