Mark Wayne Puumala, 56, died Sunday, May 6, 2012, at home in Lakewood, Colo., after a long battle with myelofibrosis. Mark was born July 29, 1955, in Duluth, Minn. He was the second son of Dr. Reino H. Puumala and Dr. Marie Katherine Bepko of Cloquet, Minn. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1973 and the Duluth Vocational Institute in 1976.
After moving to Colorado, Mark was employed by several automotive repair companies as a skilled auto mechanic. Mark enjoyed hunting, as well as fishing with his many friends. His skills at the grill were much admired. He is fondly remembered for his honesty, fairness, kindness, upbeat attitude, perseverance and automotive expertise. He was generous with his time and talents with auto repair and shared his knowledge at work and home with friends. He took special enjoyment in playing pool and once competed in a national tournament.
Mark was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Reino H. Puumala and Dr. Marie K. Bepko of Cloquet, and his sister, Kathleen Marie Gawboy of Ely, Minn.
Mark is survived by his sisters, Dierre Puumala of Grand Lake, Colo., and Nancy Luomala of Ann Arbor, Mich.; brothers, Dr. Ricard (Dr. Barbara) Puumala of Cloquet and Dale (Ann Marie) Puumala of Mountain View, Calif.
Mark is remembered by his many friends; nieces, Michelle Blesener of Greely, Colo., Dr. Victoria (Tim) Heren of Cloquet, the Rev. Laura (the Rev. Timothy) Berdahl of Duluth, Katya Whiterabbit of Madison, Wis., Jael (Michael) Lamp of Barnet, Vt., Linden Gawboy of Minneapolis, Minn.; nephews, Dr. Michael (Jennifer) Puumala and Matthew (Susan) Puumala of Sioux Falls, S.D., Galen Gawboy of Lexington, Mass., and James T. Gawboy of Soudan, Minn.; and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.
A celebration of Mark Puumala's life will be held from Tuesday, June 12, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the River Inn in Scanlon.
Cards may be sent to Puumala, 6550 W. 14th Ave. #14, Lakewood, CO 80214.
Messages may be left online at the Newcomer Funeral Home website: www.newcomberdenver.com.
May 24, 2012 ~ Pine Journal, Cloquet, Minn.
Tags: obituaries
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