Arne Puskala

Arne Victor Puskala

Arne Victor Puskala, 90, Hibbing, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, in the Twin Cities after a valiant, but unsuccessful fight against cancer. He was born in Hibbing on March 14, 1925, to Victor and Emma Puskala.  During World War II, Arne proudly served as a member of the Timberwolves, 104 ^th Infantry in Europe, seeing combat from Belgium to the Russian Front. After the war, he returned to Hibbing where he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann “Shan” Degnan, celebrating 64 years of marriage.   Arne was employed by US Steel for 44 years as a surveyor, working at the Sherman, Hull Rust, Mahoning, and Minntac locations. Arne was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish and enjoyed assisting with the Food Shelf.

Arne was preceded in death by his wife, Shan and a grandson Eric Puskala, and  is survived by five children: Martin Puskala of Coon Rapids, MN, David (Rosalyn) Puskala of White Bear Lake, MN, Mary (Miles) Kennedy of Coon Rapids, MN, Patrick Puskala of St. Paul, MN and Anne (Don ) Weas of Shorewood, MN; 9 grandchildren: Matthew, Sarah, Margaret, Henry, Mallory,  Katrina, Mikayla, Andrew, and Renna; 4 great-grandchildren: Adam, Eli, Elliott, and Isaac; former daughter-in-law, Vyla Carlson. Arne will be fondly remembered by sister-in-law Renna Webster, brother-in law Patrick (Jane) Degnan, and numerous nieces and nephews-who dearly loved their Uncle Arne.