Doris J. Kantola, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt passed into the presence of her Lord on May 18, 2024, at Cook Care Center in Cook, Minnesota.

She was born August 13, 1925, at home in the East Littlefork community of Cook to Swedish immigrants Oscar and Ingeborg (Balder) Johnson. Doris attended elementary school at the Owens School and graduated from Cook High School in 1943. As a young woman she worked at Pehrson's Lodge, Birch Point Resort in Tower, the munition plant in Rosemount, Minnesota, the paper mill in International Falls, and as a waitress in Gainesville, Texas during World War 2.

On June 24, 1944, Doris married the love of her life, Eugene (Gene) Kantola. They were married 64 years when Gene passed away in 2008 and were blessed with four children, six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was an amazing wife and mother who loved her family dearly. Doris and Gene were true partners in their Kantola Construction business. She kept everything running smoothly from her home office. He counted on her wisdom insight, and excellent ideas when he was building homes, cabins, cabinets, furniture, and more. She was tireless in the many ways she cared for Gene and her family.

Doris was a member of First Baptist Church in Cook, Minnesota where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, on the Missions Committee, taught Release Time at the Alango School, and was always ready to lend a helping hand where needed. She volunteered for many years at the Cook Nursing Home Beauty Shop.

She loved her family, friends, church, flowers, walks, cross-country skiing, baking, cleaning, yard work, cutting brush, watching birds and wildlife, bowling, spending time at the cabin on Lake Vermilion, participating in Bible studies, and taking trips. It was a dream come true for her to meet her aunts, an uncle, and many cousins in Sweden in 1971 and in 1980 to meet her Swedish-American cousins in Washington.

Doris is survived by her children: Joan (James) Edblom of Virginia, Doreen (Galen) Bergman of Britt, and Terrance (Bernadine) Kantola of Cook; Grandchildren: Launa (John) Hanna of Duluth, Shannon (Gail) Bergman of Britt, Jill (Todd) Mavec of Eveleth, Judy (Eric) Iverson of Arden Hills, and Stacy (Levon) Kalemkiarian of Stillwater; Great-grandchildren Brett Bergman, Eric Bergman, Carter Mavec, Hope Iverson, Isaiah Iverson, Luke Hanna, Luca Kalemkiarian, and Logan Kalemkiarian, and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gene in 2008, infant daughter Jeanine Sharon in 1946, grandson Joel Kantola in 2022, great-grandson Wyatt Hanna in 2011, her siblings Ernest Johnson, Mabel (Arthur) Anderson, Nora (Clem) Vanderbloeman, Arthur Johnson, Deloris Donohue, and infant brothers Ray and Roy Johnson, one nephew and three nieces.

Doris made her home at Edgewood Assisted Living in Virginia for four years and had many around her who cared for her with compassion and kindness. As her needs increased, Caring Edge Home Care came alongside to assist in her care and were so kind and helpful. Doris's move to Cook Care Center in October came at the perfect time for her to receive the additional care she needed. Many thanks to all who lovingly and tenderly cared for her and grew to love her. She was most appreciative and grateful.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.