EDNA MURTO

Edna Murto, 85 of Esko, passed away peacefully on Thursday Nov. 22, 2012. She was born Sept. 7, 1927 in Mahtowa to Matt and Gustava Pesonen. She graduated from Barnum High School in 1945. Edna married Rudy Murto in October of 1948. Edna worked at Diamond Match for 43 ½ years, retiring in 1992. While there, she was active in the Matchmaker’s Local 970 serving as either President or Secretary for more than 30 years. She was also active in the Central Labor Body for more than 40 years and served as its Secretary for most of that time. Edna was active in the Carlton County Labor Day Celebration for more than 40 years.

Edna was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was an active board member with Friends of Animals for many years. She was the 2012 recipient of the Big Dog Award from the Beastie Bash for her outstanding commitment and service to Friends of Animals.

Edna was active in training and showing German Shepherds since 1970. She had as many as ten American and Canadian Champion German Shepherds. She was a member of the Minneapolis Kennel Club and the Twin Ports Kennel Club. For many years she taught obedience classes through Community Ed. She was a 4-H leader with the County Dog Project and was a judge at the Carlton County Fair Dog Show. Edna also volunteered at Sunnyside Health Care Center with her canine companion and therapy dog, Manny.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Rudy in 1984; brothers, Leonard Pesonen in 1955 and Harold “Bill” Pesonen in 2007.

She is survived by nephews, John (Janet) Pesonen of Cloquet, William (Patty) Murto of Esko, and Charles (Cindy) Murto of Phoenix; nieces, Mary Anne (David) Lee of Esko, Alice (Allen) Johnson of Philadelphia, and Lori Pesonen of Cloquet; sister-in-law, Marge Pesonen of Cloquet; her partner in crime, Danny (Janel) Swanson of Barnum; and many other cherished friends.

VISITATION: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 in Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial will be in Mount Salem Cemetery in Mahtowa.

In leiu of flowers memorials preferred to Friends of Animals.

To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com

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