Francis "Pete" Leroy Lamppa

Published September 23, 2018 at 6:38 PM

Francis "Pete" Leroy Lamppa, 84, passed away Sept. 8, 2018 at Carefree Living in Virginia, MN. A memorial gathering will be held at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia, MN on Tuesday September 25, 2018 at 11:00 AM. Memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com .

Francis was born on Sept. 7, 1934 in Biwabik, MN to Richard and Rose M. Lamppa. Francis graduated from Embarrass High School in 1952, received his BS in Education from U of MN Duluth in 1956, and MS in Education Administration from U of MN in 1964. Francis spent the first six years of his career teaching and coaching baseball in Tower-Soudan, MN. In 1962, he became the elementary principal in Kasson, MN, and then returned to the Iron Range to serve as the elementary principal in Babbitt, MN for 12 years. In 1975, he became the superintendent in Biwabik, MN, where he remained until retirement in 1987. Francis married Patricia Blakeney, Duluth, MN in 1956. Together they had five children before divorcing in 1990. The remainder of his life Francis spent with his special friend Mary Prijatel, Ely, MN. He loved to fish, canoe, create driftwood artwork and spend time at the family cabin on Lake Vermilion. He also loved to play golf and baseball, and always enjoyed listening to the Twins on the radio. In Francis's words; "Be good, be kind, and take care."

He is survived by his friend Mary Prijatel of Ely, sons Reid (Terry) of Waskish, MN, and Kerry (Holly) of Albuquerque, NM, daughters Stacey Lamppa of St. Louis, MO, Stefanie (Dan) Olson of Duluth, MN, and Darcie (Robert) Clark of Charleston, SC; seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and brothers Herbert Lamppa of Tower, MN, Roger (Joan) Lamppa of Virginia, MN, and Fred (Karen) Lamppa of Britt, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Rose, brothers Raymond and Bernie, and sisters Flora and Kathleen.