Kathryn E. Salo May 21, 1923 – Feb 16, 2026
Kathy joined her Lord and Savior peacefully at the age of 102 at Edgewood Vista, Virginia, MN. She was born in Spina, MN to Martha and James Squillace the 7th of 13 children. Graduated from Buhl HS and while at a barn dance she saw Rudolph Maki and she told her friend Jean that she intended to marry him, and she did just that on Jan 10th,1942 and friend Jean married Rudy’s brother George.
"Rudy and I spent many happy years on the farm in Cherry building our home and raising our five precious children." They worked on the Maki dairy farm and delivered milk to customers. They often worked at her brother Jim’s Floral shop and always had beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Kathy also worked at Arrow Shirt Factory and as activity director at the Eveleth nursing home while Rudy worked in the iron ore mines.
They began their relationship with Jesus in 1975, Rudy accepted Jesus a month before he passed on Christmas Day 1975. This gave Kathy peace during her time of grief. Kathy married Eugene Salo in 1982. They were very active in their church and community. They were avid walkers and enjoyed trips to visit family out of state and spent many happy times playing dominoes and dice games with family. Kathy will be remembered for her faith in God, her love for family and friends, her organizational skills, and her wonderful meals. She was the foundation of the family, prayer warrior for many and will be truly missed.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, 11 brothers/sisters, granddaughter Tami, husbands Rudy (1975) and Eugene (2001), children Carol (2021), Rudy (2025), Marilyn (2019) and Gary (2022).
Survived by daughter Debra (Dennis), sister Marge, son-in-law Glyn, daughters-in-law Deb and Irene, 11 grandchildren: Tom, Anita, Patti, Darrin, Melissa, Brian, Nathan, Joshua, Jaron, Raymond and Robert; 17 great grandchildren: Kayla, Rachel, Janelle, Grace, Faith, Sophia, Karalyn, Elliot, Ally, Michael, Mark, Mackenzie, Lennox, Aria, Grayson, Maverick, and Madilyn; 5 great-great grandchildren: Madalyn, Myla, Phoebe, Logan and baby Carson who was born on his great-great grandfathers birthday and on his great-great grandmother’s birthday to heaven! And numerous extended family and friends.
Kathy’s quote "My goal in life is to have all my children, grandchildren, relatives and heirs love and serve the Lord with all their hearts."
Special thanks to staff at Edgewood Vista and East Range Essentia Hospice.
Celebration of life on May 2, 2026, at 1pm Biwabik Evangelical Covenant Church 700 Vermilion Trail, Biwabik, MN 55708