~ IN MEMORY ~
DL F/O Joel Daniel Kantola
March 30, 1983 — January 9, 2022
https://www.mlakerfuneralhome.com/obituary/joel-kantola
Joel Daniel Kantola, 38, of So. St. Paul, Minn.,,
and formerly of Cook, Minn., passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Joel was born in Virginia, Minn., to Terrance and
Bernadine (Reagan) Kantola on March 30, 1983. He grew up and attended school in
Cook, graduating from Cook High School in 2001. He furthered his education at
the University of North Dakota, graduating in 2005. He was a flight instructor
at UND for two years. Joel then served as First Officer for Pinnacle and
Captain for Endeavor Regional Airlines for 10 years. He continued his career as
a commercial pilot with Delta Airlines as a First Officer from 2016 until his
passing. Joel served as Chairman of Endeavor MEC Mentorship Committee and also
was on the Fleming Field Airport Advisory Commission. Joel had many talents and
interests. He loved his music and played piano, guitar, and saxophone. Joel and
his friends started their own band, the Boys of Summer, and played at local
venues during his college years. Joel also played saxophone in the UND Marching
Band. In recent years, he enjoyed 'jamming' with friends and frequenting
concerts. Growing up in northern Minnesota, he developed an early interest in
the great outdoors with his family. He continued his journey of exploring new
places through work opportunities. As a Delta pilot, he took advantage of his
travels to connect with friends and acquaintances scattered around the country.
His travels fed his appetite for new adventures all while strengthening his
appreciation for his roots. Joel was a thoughtful, giving, and ambitious person
with a good sense of humor. He showed kindness and respect in all aspects of
his life and helped others wherever he could. He will be dearly missed by his
friends and family.
Joel was preceded in death by his grandparents,
Eugene Kantola and Bernard and Genevieve Reagan; and cousin, Wyatt Hanna.
Joel is survived by his parents, Terry and Bernie
Kantola; sister, Stacy (Levon) Kalemkiarian; nephews, Luca and Logan
Kalemkiarian; girlfriend, Katie Knapp; grandmother, Doris Kantola; aunts: Joan
(Jim) Edblom, Doreen (Galen) Bergman, Mary Nelson, Patricia (Ron) Dillavou,
Jean (Tom) Clark, Teresa (Brian) Bergene; uncle Marty (Ginny) Reagan; and
numerous other relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10,
from 5-7 p.m. at Mlaker Funeral Home, Cook. The Memorial Mass will be on
Friday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Cook. Visitation
will be held again Friday one hour prior to the service at the church. The
family appreciates masks being worn at the visitation and service. A luncheon
will be held following the service at the Cook Community Center.
To leave an online condolence, visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com
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