Rudy John Perhalla

IRONWOOD, Mich. - Rudy John Perhalla, 87, of Ironwood, died Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021.

Rudy was born and raised in Ironwood, and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School. He served his country during the Korean War by joining the U.S. Navy. In 1958, he married his wife, Susan.

After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Rudy continued with his education. He attended Gogebic Community College and the University of Wisconsin-Superior, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

At the time of his death, he was retired. For many years, Rudy was a teacher and basketball coach at the Ewen-Trout Creek School District. As a coach, his teams were exceptional. In 1972, the Ewen-Trout Creek Panthers won the Class D Boys State Championship. In 1967, the Ewen Bulldogs were the Class D Boys Runner's Up State Champions. In addition to winning regional tournaments in 1972 and 1967, his 1974 team also won the regional tournament. In 1974, Coach Perhalla received the Class D UP Coach of the Year Award. Recently, Rudy was inducted into the Ironwood Area Sports Hall of Fame.

He was a member of Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Susan Perhalla, Ironwood; a daughter, Rebecca (Greg) Tulppo, Bruce Crossing; a son, Rudy (Jean) Perhalla, Ironwood; four grandchildren, Victoria Tulppo, Sidnaw, Blake Tulppo, Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Michael Perhalla and Rebecca Perhalla, both of Ironwood; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Anna Perhalla; two brothers, Steve and John Perhalla; and 10 sisters, Anna Perhalla, in infancy, Mary Gacek, Elizabeth Jarrell, Margaret Kurtz, Katherine Perhalla, Jeannette Stuart, Agnes Perhalla, Josephine Florek, Evelyn O'Berto and Eloise Perhalla.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at a later date.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at the Gogebic Medical Care Facility in Wakefield for the kindness and care given to Rudy during his final journey.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.