Ernest I. Peitso,

of Spring Lake Park, most recently Mendota Heights, MN.  Born in the log cabin his father built on the shores of Elbow Lake, Minnesota on August 26, 1922. The last Original Peitso Finn passed away peacefully Friday, May 27, 2022. Ernie, a strong humble man, lived a quiet life dedicated to God, Alice, his wife, honesty and justice. A man with strong beliefs and simple needs, he cared deeply for family and home and always meticulously provided more than enough. A behind the scenes guy, he was polite, gentle and supportive raising a family and keenly observant and informed while living through nearly a complete century of constant change. Cars were his passion and his garage was full of tools, even metric in later years, which broke the “buy American” family rule. He loved technology ever since seeing his first movie – 1933’s King Kong – in the theater in Pine City. Mobile phones became a favorite and he always marveled at being able to see someone we called. Imagine that! He was proud of being a Union Member and of his typesetting career, which started with hot metal and ended with fiber optic transmission of the printed word. A teacher and a tinkerer, he tried to pass on his innate car repair, carpentry, home improvement and gardening skills to all his children…he never gave up. We never stopped depending on him to fix everything. We will try to be better people by practicing, as he did, taking a breath and saying, “well, I don’t know about that…” then listening and never rushing to judgment in conversation. He was well loved and lived well.

Ernest is preceded in death by wife of 70 years, Alice; sisters: Lempi (Grace), infant Imbi, Lyyli (Lucille,) Laila (Lila); brothers: John, Emil, infant Charles, Effer and Leo Raymond and their spouses.  He will be dearly missed by his children: Gary (Debbie), Barbara (Brian) Ruhl, Beverly (Joe) Trevino and Gayle Peitso; grandchildren: Jacob (Jessica), Gabe, Joey (Nicole), Drew, Corinne and Skyler; great-granddaughters: Mckyla, Krista, Emma and Addison Alice; sister-in-law Delores Krenik and many other family and friends.

Ernie and Alice had a good life during their days at Hilltop Manor and we thank Josh, Nick and the entire staff at Heart to Home for their kindness and joyful support.

Funeral Service, 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 8, 2022 with visitation starting at 10:00 AM, at Henry W. Anderson Mortuary, 3640 23^rd Ave. S., Minneapolis.  Ernest will be laid to rest with his wife, Alice at Sunset Cemetery.