Obituary of Ernest George Bylkas

Ernest George Bylkas, 92, of Esko, died Friday, October 5, 2001 in InterFaith Care Center, Carlton. He was born August 14, 1909 in Allouez, MI, the son of Andrew and Hilma (Polvi) Bylkas. He married Martha Uitti on December 27, 1934 in Michigan. At the age of 12 until he was 15, he drove a team of horses in the lumber camp at Lake Linden, MI. He then worked as a miner for the C& H Copper Mine in Calumet, MI. After their marriage, he and Martha moved to Esko, and he worked for Northwest Paper Co. from 1936 until his retirement in 1972. Ernest was a member of Apostolic Lutheran Church in Esko, Esko Senior Citizens, Potlatch Quarter Century Club, was a Thomson Township Supervisor for 12 years and helped establish the Esko Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid gardener, hunter and fisherman. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Kenneth and Carl; and 6 sisters, Elma Frank, Viola Hauring, Alice Peterson, Ruth Suomala, and Verna and Helen Bylkas. Ernest is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Martha, of Carlton; a son, Ernest George (Judy) Bylkas of Grand Rapids; a daughter, Joanne (Dale) Mattinen of Esko; 9 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Visitation was Sunday, October 7, 2001 from 5 - 8 P.M. in Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko and Monday, October 8, 2001 from 12:00 until the 1:00 P.M. funeral service at the church. Interment was in Apostolic Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. Memorials are preferred to Apostolic Lutheran Church, InterLutheran Seminary or InterFaith Care Center, c/o Northland Funeral Home.