Obituary of Raymond Elroy Pirila

Raymond Elroy Pirila, 68, of Wright died Monday, March 11, 2002 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. He was born July 11, 1933 in Floodwood to John and Alice (Pervorse) Pirila. Raymond was raised and went to school in Floodwood. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. After his return home he worked for Diamond Match Company for a few years, and then in Milwaukee, WI at General Motors Co. He then returned to Floodwood and worked at Weyerhauser. In 1982 he began working as a custodian for the Cromwell-Wright School district until retiring in 1995. Raymond enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, fishing, hunting and visiting with family and friends. His brother Clifford preceded him in death. Raymond is survived by his fiance, Pat Peterson of Wright; step-son Lonnie Peterson of Wright; step-daughter Linda (Mark) DeMenge of McGregor; brothers, Douglas (Irene) of Floodwood, and Kenneth (Marcy) of Finlayson; sisters, Avis DeMars of Duluth, Sharon (Warren) Bennett of Floodwood, Elvie Thompson and Sharlene (Clark) Lundin both of Jacobson, Janice Nylund of Brookston; 3 step-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 15, 2002 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. Military Honors were accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard.