Ardeth Ann Pykkonen

Ardeth “Ardy” Ann (Malluege) Pykkonen, 83 of Esko passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020 at home after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Ardy was born March 16, 1937 in St. Paul to Ervin and Florence (Witzel) Malluege. She graduated in 1955 from Harding High School in St. Paul. She worked at Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (later to become 3M) in St. Paul until December 1958 when she married Donald Andrew Pykkonen and moved to Esko. In 1960 she began working for Carlton County Human Services and worked there for 38 years, retiring as a Child Support Officer. Ardy was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church and served in active roles in many committees for the church. Ardy was a kind and caring person who took great joy in her family. She enjoyed making connections with all the people she met.

Ardy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jerome Malluege; and sister, Karen Batterson.

She is survived by her husband, Donald Andrew Pykkonen; children, Craig (Lynn) Pykkonen of Laporte, MN, Susan (John) Nelson of Burnsville, and Brent (Leah) Pykkonen of Esko; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

We extend our heartfelt thank you to all those that loved and cared for Ardy including friends, family, and the St. Luke’s Hospice program.

A private family service will be held at this time and a public service will be held at a later date. Letters and cards of condolence may be sent to the family c/o Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet, MN 55720. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com