Richard Paul "Dick" Pitkanen, age 66 of Armstrong Lake-Ely died Wednesday, May 29, 2013, peacefully in his home, after a yearlong battle with illnesses. He was born December 12, 1946 in Biwabik, the son of George and Ruth (Lehto) Pitkanen; was a 1965 graduate of Aurora Hoyt Lakes High School, attended Virginia Junior College and a graduate of St. Cloud State with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Dick married Kathryn Esala on October 19, 1968. They made their home in Cambridge, Pike-Sandy, and Armstrong Lake. Dick taught 5th grade in the Cambridge School District, returned to the Iron Range to work at Eveleth Taconite, and worked at Inland Steel (Arcelor Mittal) until his retirement in 2009 after 33 years of service. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, long driving trips, and reading. Dick celebrated his Finnish heritage, and was an avid Vikings and Twins fan. He cherished time spent with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.
Dick is survived by his wife of 44 years: Kathryn; children: Leah (Darryl) Pernat of Snohomish, WA, Kurt Pitkanen of Ely, and Keith (Rachel) Pitkanen of Cottage Grove; grandchildren: Logan Pernat, Pasia Pitkanen and Kylie Pitkanen; sisters: Sandra (David) Theelke of Hastings and Linda (Doug) Nelson of Breezy Point; father-in-law: Willard Esala; brothers-in-law: Peter Esala, Gary (Tandy) Esala, and Tom Esala; sisters-in-law: Barbara Heino, Dianne French, Cindy (Danny) Maki, and Mary Pitkanen; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Arlene Kahtava Kennedy, Peter Pitkanen, and Nancy Weisinger; brothers-in-law: Archie Kahtava, Lloyd Kennedy, Jim Esala, David Heino, and Jim French; mother-in-law: Elsie Esala; and infant granddaughter: Elsie Pernat.
A Gathering time for family and friends will be held Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 11:00 a.m. until the 12Noon Celebration of Life Service in Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the North Sandy Cemetery.
Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon ,Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790
Celebration of Life Service 12 Noon ,Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Bauman's Vermilion Funeral Home
501 Main Street Tower, MN 55790