Carol Jean Pohto, 79, of Cook, MN, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2023, after a valiant fight with cancer. Carol was born on May 24, 1944 to Eino and Helen (Sregzinski) Lehtinen in Virginia, MN. She attended school in Mountain Iron, graduating in 1962. On August 10, 1963 she married Roger Novak, and was blessed with two children Michelle and Michael. Sadly, Roger passed away in 1982. In 1983, Carol married the love of her life, Ray Pohto, and they lived a happy life together for 38 years. Together, they shared a blended family of eight children.

Carol was a loving mother, stepmother and grandma. She loved nothing more than spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She never missed a birthday for all 40 of them. She loved to bake and host gatherings for her large family. Carol's love for sports was well known by many! She especially loved football and the MN Vikings. She got a bucket list item checked off when she was able to go to a Super Bowl game with her daughter. She also loved being outdoors and for many years enjoyed living on Hibbing Point on Lake Vermilion with her husband Ray. She was up at dawn on many mornings to go fishing…she loved to fish!

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; first husband Roger Novak, and her husband Raymond Pohto; brother David Lehtinen; son-in-law James Kirk; and brother-in-law Jim Backman.

Carol is survived by her children: Shelly Gwash (Kevin), Guy Pohto, Cindy Aune (Donald), Brad Pohto (Peggy), Mark Pohto (Jean), Lisa Kirk, Grant Pohto (Sheila), Mike Novak (Judy); sister Mary Ann Backman; 20 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cook Community Center. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Lunch and then burial to follow. Online condolences to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com