Obituary of Nancy Adele Salmela

Nancy Adele Salmela, 94, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024. She was born on January 14, 1930, in Duluth, to Adolph and Ellen (Käld) Nylund, Swedish-speaking immigrants from the Larsmo area of Finland. She grew up on Piedmont Avenue in a house built by her father.

Nancy graduated from Denfeld High School in 1948, where she was the recipient of the American Legion School Award Medal for good citizenship and strength of character. While working at the University of Minnesota Duluth she met the love of her life, Robert Salmela. Nancy and Bob married in 1952 and were blessed with four children.

While Bob served in the United States Air Force and then pursued his teaching career, Nancy and Bob lived in Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota, before moving back to Duluth, where Nancy worked for the City of Duluth until her retirement. Nancy and Bob were married for 66 years.

Nancy was preceded in death by parents, Adolph and Ellen; husband, Robert; infant brother, Roger; sister, Audrey Elnes; and great-grandson Robert Leo Salmela.

Nancy is survived by children, Karen (Bruce) Salmela, Janet (John) Janson, Ronald Salmela, Sandra (John-Erich) Mantius; sisters, Ruby Peterson, Doris Bergersen; sisters-in-law, Ardyth Salmela, Jean Salmela, Phyllis Salmela; 12 grandchildren, Liz (Thor), Ben (Robin), Mike (Mandy), Evan (Shelly), Pam, Laura (Tim), Eric (Britinee), Andreas (Megan), Anders (Galina), Annika, Maximilian, Alessandra (Rene); 17 great-grandchildren, Enzo, Lucy, Mason, Marek, Isla, Amber, Seth, Lance, Sonja, Reo, Kennedy, Silas, Cora, Alisa, Eva, Emma, Olivia; one great-great-grandchild, Harvey; and a host of brothers and sisters in faith.

The family would like to thank the numerous caregivers at Westwood and Marywood who helped Nancy thrive in the later years of life.

The Funeral will be at 11A.M., Thursday, April 11, 2024, with Visitation one-hour prior, beginning at 10A.M. in Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church, 6273 Old Highway 2, Duluth, MN. Burial will take place at Oneota Cemetery, Duluth.

Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14^th Street, Cloquet. To sign the guest book and leave an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.