David W. Puskala

David Walter Puskala, 68, of Iron River, MI, died unexpectedly Thursday, January 29, 2015 after suffering a heart attack while working in his garage. David was born on April 8, 1946 to Thomas and Hilda (Salo) Puskala as the oldest of 7 siblings. He graduated from Iron River High School in 1964. Almost immediately he began his long career in the medical field by working in a nursing home while attending Medical X-Ray and Lab Training School at the Institute of Medical Technique in Minneapolis obtaining his first certification in 1965. In 1972, he graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology. From 1966 to 1996 he worked as a Medical Technologist at Crystal Falls Hospital, St. Luke’s Hospital in Marquette, Ice Lake Medical Arts Clinic in Iron River and the Marquette Medical Clinic in Iron River. In 1996, at 50 years old, he went back to school to obtain his Bachelor of Science in Medicine through the Physician Assistant Program at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, graduating in 1998. From 1998 to 2014, he practiced as a Physician Assistant to Dr. Han at Iron County Internal Medicine Associates and in the Emergency Department at Northstar Health System. Just recently, he began working as a Physician Assistant for the Dickinson County Health Care System in Sleep Medicine and for the Michigan-Wisconsin Family Practice Associates in Family Practice. David truly loved his work in the medical field and it was very apparent that his work was respected and appreciated by patients and coworkers alike. David married Bonnie Christensen in 1965 and together they had four children, David, Pamela, Bobbi Jo and Jeffrey. They also owned or started several businesses including the Crystal Drive-In, Burgers and Cones Drive-In, The Pasty Corner and the Keweenaw Berry Farm. He is survived by his children’s mother, Bonnie Puskala of Iron River; fiancée, Cindy Schmidt of Iron River; his children, David (Carol) Puskala of Marquette, Pamela Puskala of Tofte, Minnesota, Bobbi Jo Domaradzki of Iron Mountain and Jeffrey (Elizabeth) Puskala of Ottawa Hills, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Paulina, Erik, Ahnika and Kaleah Puskala of Marquette, Aurora and Adam Puskala of Ottawa Hills, and Julia Domaradzki of Iron Mountain; his brother Thomas Puskala of Iron River; his sisters Kathryn (Gunther) Schennach of Iron River, Karen Armstrong of Crystal Falls, Cynthia (Leo) Schiavo of Crystal Falls and Christina (Kevin) Upperstrom of Iron River; numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family. David was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother James Puskala and his grandson Anthony Domaradzki. David enjoyed always working on a project, hunting and hunting camp with his extended family, being at Sunset Lake and bringing doughnuts on weekend mornings to his grandkids. He was quick to jump in the car and travel to whatever event his kids or grandkids were involved. He enjoyed NCIS and the names of the Alpacas in the herd he shared with Cindy reflect that fact. David was always there for family and friends, willing to give of his time and knowledge to answer any questions or concerns they might have. So many of his nieces, nephews, other family members, friends, coworkers and patients have wonderful stories about how he affected their lives in a positive way. If anyone has a story they would like to share about David, please leave it on the Jacobs Funeral Home website.Visitation will be held Monday, February 2, 2015 from 10:00 to 11:45 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Dawn Treado Green to officiate. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David W. Puskala, please visit our flower store.