Obituary of Sally Marie Pionk

Sally Marie Pionk, 75, of Duluth, was tragically taken from us on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014. Sally was born the oldest of eight children in Minneapolis, on Feb. 14, 1939 to William and Claribel (Ayers) Berg. She graduated from Askov High School in 1957 and married Leonard Pionk later that year. She was a homemaker for a number of years before moving to Duluth in 1965. She attended DBU and graduated with a degree in accounting. Later she obtained her teaching certificate from St. Scholastica. Sallys teaching career was spent at Irving School and Gnesen Elementary. Forever a caregiver, she spent the remainder of her career assisting the elderly for Senior Friends. Sally was both hardworking and accomplished. Along with working full time she also owned a number of rental properties. In her spare time she enjoyed playing the accordion and creating stained-glass windows, lamps and other items as well as gardening, furniture restoration and always helping others. Although she taught the school of tough love Sally will be fondly remembered for her loving heart and hardworking nature. She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Kathy and Eleanore and infant brother Jimmy. Sally is survived by her children, Leon, Jacki-Lou Wilsey, Toni (Dan) Merritt, Harley (Rose Van Alstine) and Darian (Mary Patnaude); six grandchildren, Jessy, Jonni, Rochelle, Danielle, Ryan and Richard; 11 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Gerald (Ann), Dennis (Janey), Ken (Beth) and Wilbur (Linda) Berg; sister JoAnn (Ken) Wiesinger as well as many extended family members and friends. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Super One. GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 in Cremation Society of Minnesota 4100 Grand Ave. Duluth. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sally Pionk memorial fund in care of Wells Fargo Bank 3931 West Superior Street Duluth, MN 55807. Cremation Society of Minnesota 218-624-5200