Joseph D Croteau

Funeral Mass for Joseph David “Poots” Croteau Jr., 88, of rural Gilbert, will be 11am Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Biwabik, Minnesota with Fr. Charles Flynn as celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church.  Burial will be at a later date in the Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik, Minnesota.  Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.

He died Friday, August 17, 2018 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.

He was born March 6, 1930 in Biwabik, Minnesota to Joseph David and Lahja (Anttila) Croteau Sr. He attended school in Biwabik and worked for the DMIR railroad for 17 years.  On December 27, 1949 he married Janet Korpi in Eveleth.

Poots began working at Erie Mining Company and retired from LTV Steel in 1992 as a welding foreman. He was a retired Biwabik Volunteer Fireman, a member of Ducks Unlimited and the NRA.  He enjoyed wintering in Arizona for 21 years with his wife but his passion was spending time with his family – especially his grandchildren.  He was an avid fisherman and ‘jack of all trades”.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; sons: Terry (Lee) Croteau of Lake Vermilion, Robert (Cecilia) Croteau of Biwabik and Scott (Crystal) Croteau of Biwabik; grandchildren: Jason, Tara, Celene, Tawnee and Kendra; great grandchildren: Cody, Jacob, Daniel, Lucas, Max, Alanna, Brent, Beau and Erika; sister, Joyce Zidarich of Kittsville and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Eric and a sister, Lois Pavlisich.