Obituary: Peter Perala

As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:

Peter T. Perala, age 79, of Dodgeville, Michigan, died May 28, 2024, at his son’s home in Marquette, Michigan after a short battle with cancer.

Pete was born February 25th, 1945, in Hancock, Michigan. Pete was raised in Toivola during his younger years then moved to Hancock where he graduated from Hancock High School, Class of 1963. He was working at Chrysler in Detroit when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. While in the service he took leave to marry Rose Marie Lassila on October 8th, 1966 in Detroit. After his honorable discharge from the Army, Pete and Rose lived in Atlantic Mine before moving to White Pine to raise their family. Pete worked at the mine in Information Technology (IT). After the mine closed, he briefly went to college at Northern Michigan University. Pete retired from the Michigan Department of Transportation IT department in 2007.

After Rose passed away, Pete spent his winters in Laughlin, NV, then later in Tucson, AZ. He spent his summers in Twin Lakes and Dodgeville where he began seeing Dorothy Mattson. Pete had a passion for cars, especially his 1962 Pontiac Convertible, fishing in Lake Superior, camping in Twin Lakes and golfing.

He is survived by his significant other, Dorothy Mattson; daughter Darcie (Matt) Leipnitz and son; Brad (Anne) Perala; grandchildren Matt (Cheyenne) Perala, Lauren (Kyle Wernke) Perala, Faith Perala, Sarah and Noah Leipnitz; great-grandchildren Savannah Grobaski and Ezra Perala; brother Stanley “Bucky” (Cindy) Perala; sister-in-law, Patricia Yates; brother-in-law, Paul Briski; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pete is preceded in death by his wife, Rose; parents Peter R. and Anna Eleanore Perala; brother Keith and his wife Gloria Perala along with their sons Darrell and Jason; sister-in-law Gloria Briski; brother-in-law John Lassila and his wife Joyce.

A celebration of Pete’s life will be held 11:00 am Friday, July 19, 2024, at the Atlantic Mine Cemetery, with Rev. Bucky Beach to officiate, Military Honors will be conducted by the Copper Country Veteran’s Association. Following the graveside services a lunch and a time to remember Pete will be held at the Range Lounge in South Range.

To view Pete’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.