Bernice "Bea" M. Santala

Bernice “Bea” M. Santala, 88 year old resident of Little Falls, MN passed away Monday, August 26, 2013 at St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, August 30, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls with Rev. Gary Hendrickson officiating. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Bernice “Bea” M. (Oja) Santala was born on September 9, 1924 in Idington, MN to the late August and Amanda Oja. Bea attended school and graduated in the Angora, MN area. She was united in marriage to Edwin “Ed” Santala on January 13, 1946 in Duluth, MN. Ed was a supervisor for DeLaval for many years and so the couple lived in many locations and settled in Little Falls in 1959 to raise their family. Bea worked for many years for J.C. Penney, she was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in Little Falls and volunteered many years at St. Otto’s Care Center. Bea enjoyed crocheting many afghans for family and friends, knitting her special dishcloths, watching sports, fishing and baking. Bea also had a special love for all the family pets and sneaked the dogs quite a few treats! She had a love for music and very much enjoyed spending time with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren for many family events. Bea had recently moved to Bridgeway Estates to a new apartment and enjoyed the many old and new friends she had there. She was especially fond of her Finnish heritage and lutefisk was served for every Christmas. Bea is survived by her sons, Chuck and (Faye) Santala of Little Falls, MN, Richard (Nancy) Santala of Denver, CO, Ken (Linda) Santala of Little Falls, MN and Tom (Diane) Santala of Sartell, MN; grandchildren, Sara (Dave) Lester, Jeremy (Amanda) Santala, Ricky Santala, Mike (Jessie) Santala, Bradley Santala & special friend, Lindsay, Mindy Santala and special friend, Kyle, Josh Santala, Benji Santala and special friend, Erin; great-grandchildren of Mumu are Braxten, Ellie and Jace Santala and Kiptyn Lester; many special relatives on the Iron Range. Bea was preceded in death by her parents, August and Amanda; husband, Edwin (Ed) Santala; sisters, Ida, Jean, Ila, Mae and Signe; brothers, Wayne and Jack. Pallbearers will be Bea’s grandchildren, Sara Lester, Jeremy Santala, Bradley Santala, Mindy Santala, Josh Santala and Benji Santala. Bea will be greatly missed by all that loved and knew her. A special thank you to all that gave Bea (our mom) such great care in her final days with us.

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Bernice "Bea" M. Santala

September 9, 1924 - August 26, 2013