Edward Gerald Krenzalek

DULUTH, Minn. — Edward Gerald Krenzalek, 67, of Ironwood, Mich., passed away Thursday, April 25, 2013, peacefully, with his children by his side, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.

Edward was born Jan. 14, 1946, the son of Edward S. and Lillian (Nelmark) Krenzalek, in Long Beach, Calif.

He grew up in Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield Township High School in 1964. He attended Gogebic Community College and graduated with a major in applied business and studies in fire suppression, prevention and extinguishment application. He worked at Ironwood Public Safety as a fireman and was appointed captain in 1975. He started his own business, the National Fire Protection Service, in 1976.

Edward was a one of a kind man with unique sense of humor. He was an avid collector and loved lifting weights, sports, hunting, fishing, music and dancing in his kitchen — which usually involved some boxing moves. He enjoyed writing letters and talking on the phone with his kids, grandchildren and granddogs.

Edward is survived by a son, Ryan (Bonnie) Krenzalek; daughters, Kim (Michael) Greene, Carrie (Josh) Jones and Kristen (Dan) Woodward, all of Coldwater, Mich .; grandchildren, Joshua (Erica) and Cassandra Krenzalek, Kara and Michael Greene, Cadence, Lucas, Parkyr, Callie and Jones, and Jacob Woodward; great-grandson, William Knowlan; and a sister, Mary Lou (Ron) Rebne, of Park Falls, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Krenzalek; son, Kurt Krenzalek; mother and stepfather, Lillian and Eino Niskanen; and granddaughter, Kyra Jones.

Funeral services will be held at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home in Ironwood on Friday, May 3, at 4 p.m. The Rev. Ben Hasse will officiate.

Edward’s family will receive friends and relatives from 3 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home Friday.

A light dinner will take place after the services at Tacconelli’s.

Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions are preferred to American Lung Association or the American Heart Association.

Edward’s obituary can be viewed online and condolences given to his family at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood.