David Everett Sarkela

David Everett Sarkela, 72, of Esko, died Monday, May 31, 2010 in Inter-Faith Care Center, Carlton. He was born in 1937 in Cloquet, the son of Hugo and Mable Sarkela. Dave attended Esko High School. He married Kathie Maki on April 15, 1961 in Esko. Dave had been employed for 30 years by Wood Conversion and Conwed and then for 15 years by USG, retiring in 2000. Dave truly enjoyed life's simple pleasures like road trips, garage sales and agate picking. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Hugo, and two nephews. Dave is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kathie, of Esko; two daughters, Terri (Dave) Barnes of Esko and Sheri (Dave) Smith of Barnum; two sons, Todd Sarkela of Superior and Dean (Theresa) Sarkela of Cloquet; his mother, Mable Sarkela of Carlton; nine grandchildren, Jeffery (Stacy), Courtney, and McKenzie Barnes, Jessica, Michael, and Jacob Smith and Jeffery, Ty, and Sean Sarkela; two great grandchildren, Thomas and Brayden Barnes; a brother, Dan (Mary) Sarkela of Superior; two sisters, Dianne (John) Bednarek of Carlton and Darlene Sarkela of Tumwater, WA and several nieces and nephews. The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Kuross, Dr. Glazier, Dr. McNaney and the staff at SMDC and the staff at Inter-Faith Care Center in Carlton for the compassionate and loving care given to Dave and his family. Memorial Services were held on Thursday, June 3, 2010 in Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet.