Irene K. Rintala

HURLEY, Wis. - Irene K. Rintala, 86, of Rintala Road, Hurley, well-known Range area caterer, died peacefully Friday, March 28, 2014, at Villa Maria Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hurley, with her loving family by her side.

The former Irene Suzik was born April 4, 1927, in Ironwood, Mich., daughter of the late Paul and Suzanna (Borski) Suzik, and attended local schools. She worked as a waitress and cook at the Liberty Bell Chalet in Hurley until 1984, when she became kitchen manager at the Iron Nugget in downtown Hurley. She also operated Rintala's Catering for many years, retiring in 2010.

Irene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley. An avid bowler, she bowled in the Women's League at the Legion Lanes in Hurley for many years, and bowled in numerous tournaments around the state, as well as in Las Vegas.

Irene was loved not only by her family, but everyone she met. She had a heart of gold and always thought of others before herself. She will be dearly missed.

On Jan. 27, 1945, she was married to Edward J. Rintala at the First Presbyterian Church Manse in Hurley by the late Rev. C.L. Harries. He preceded her in death on Aug. 29, 2005.

Surviving are a son, Richard (Nancy), Hurley; daughter, Susan (Greg) Oliver, Raleigh, N.C .; son-in-law, Gary Pelkola, Hurley; seven grandchildren, Todd (Jodi) Pelkola, Green Bay, Janet (Colin) DiGiorgio, Hurley, Jill Frankenhauser, Minneapolis, Dr. Gina (Dave) Kasper, Pharm.D, Phelps, Justin (Vanessa) Rintala, Wakefield, Mich., Dr. Jessica Oliver, DDS, Charlotte, N.C., and Ross Oliver (Colleen Vasu), Raleigh; nine great-grandchildren, Jacob and Drew Pelkola, Nicole, Melissa and Olivia DiGiorgio, Alexis and Emily Kasper, and Owen and Lylah Rintala; two sisters, Ann Yale, Chicago, and Margaret Bluse, Hurley; numerous nieces, nephews and close friends; and very special friend, Gloria Siirila, of Ironwood.

Besides her parents and husband, Irene was preceded in death by a son, Robert Edward, in 1945; two daughters, Janet Marie Rintala, in 1947, and Shirley Marie Pelkola, in 2006; six brothers, Anton, Charles, Frank, John, Joseph and Paul Suzik; and a sister, Helen Cedarstrom.

Per Irene's wishes, cremation has taken place.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Hurley, with the Rev. Don Nickolson officiating.

Luncheon will follow at the Iron Nugget in downtown Hurley.

Private committal and interment will be in the Hurley Cemetery later this spring.

Irene's obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to her family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.