Shirley Puskala

Shirley Ann “Shan” Puskala
Shirley Ann “Shan” Puskala, 88, Hibbing, died Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Hillcrest Parkside in Hibbing.  She was born in Hibbing on January 1, 1926, to George and Vera (Clune) Degnan.  During World War II, Shan worked for the U.S. Navy in Washington D.C.  After the war, she returned to Hibbing where she married Arne Puskala.  She had worked for over a decade as the secretary at St. Leo’s Catholic Church.  She was a lifelong Catholic and charter member of St. Leo’s where she was an integral part of the choir, various circles and also a CYA and CCD instructor.
Shan is survived by her husband, Arne, of Hibbing; five children:  Martin Puskala of Coon Rapids, MN, David (Rosalyn) Puskala of White Bear Lake, MN, Mary (Miles) Kennedy of Coon Rapids, MN, Patrick Puskala of St. Paul, MN and Anne (Don ) Weas of Minnetonka, MN; a brother, Patrick (Jane) Degnan of Hibbing; a sister, Renna Webster of Colorado; 9 grandchildren: Matthew, Sarah, Margaret,  Henry, Mallory,  Katrina, Mikayla, Andrew, and Renna; 4 great-grandchildren:  Adam, Eli, Elliott, and Isaac; a former daughter-in-law, Vyla Carlson; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  Shan was preceded in death by her parents; by a brother, George Degnan; and by a grandson, Eric Puskala.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hibbing, from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial.  Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.  Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.  Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.  To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

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