Obituary of Margaret Joyce Rantala

Margaret “Peg, Peggy” Joyce Rantala, 86, of Duluth, formerly of Proctor, died peacefully with her daughters at her side on Friday, June 7, 2024.

Peg was born November 4, 1937 to Eino and Bertha (Hietala) Aho in Grand Rapids, MN.  She grew up in the Buck Lake community near Nashwauk.  She graduated from Nashwauk High School in 1955.

On December 17, 1955, Peg married Charles “Chuck” Rantala of Cloverdale, MN.  They lived for a short time in Buck Lake, and then moved to Duluth.  They settled in Proctor in 1962, where they raised their three daughters.  During the early years of their marriage, Peg worked as a nurse’s aide at Itasca Memorial Hospital.  In the mid 1980’s she worked as a Special Ed para at Proctor Junior High School. 

Peg was a member of Forbes United Methodist Church in Proctor for many years.  She served on several committees and was a member of the Rebecca and Leah Circles. 

Peg had many talents.  She was an excellent seamstress, having sewn clothes for her family and herself.  She crocheted dozens of afghans, and enjoyed gifting them to friends and family.  She had a great sense of style in her clothing, and how she decorated her home.  Peg was an excellent hostess who loved to entertain. You could always count on fresh baked treats and a cup of coffee when you stopped in.  Most important to Peg was being a caregiver to Chuck in his final years.

Peg was a strong, independent woman who was proud of her Finnish heritage.  She had more Sisu than anyone we know.  We will miss her.

Peg was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck Rantala; her parents, Bertha and Eino Aho; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Caroline and Eino Rantala; sister and brother-in-law, Karen (Joe) Benolken; and son-in-law, Mike Stauty.

Peg is survived by her daughters, Lori Stauty of Pine City, Kathy Rantala (Ross Mattson) of Minneapolis; Ann Rantala of Proctor; granddaughters, Lindsey (Tim) Welch of Pine City, Amy (Jake) Meier of Pine City; and great-grandchildren, Andy, Danielle, and Ben Welch.

The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff at Ecumen Lakeshore-The Shores and Ecumen Hospice for their compassionate care of Mom these past 3 ½ years.

Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave., Duluth.