Paul William Perala

Paul William Perala of Forest Lake, Minnesota passed away July, 23,2026, at the age of 90. He was born on November 18, 1935, to Lempi (Anderson) Perala and Walter Jalmer Perala and was the youngest of seven children. Paul grew up on the family’s “Finnish” farm in rural New York Mills, Minnesota, where he helped his parents farm and milk their dairy cow herd. Paul grew up hunting and fishing in the area, a passion he would hand down to his children. Paul was known for his sense of humor and his story telling of both actual and mythical events, often surrounding his outdoor adventures. Paul could always create a laugh and enjoyed practical joking (or BS’ing as it was known) and was loved by his many friends, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, along with his wife and children.

Paul graduated from New York Mills High School in 1953. After graduation he worked in the iron mines driving a huge truck and later worked on the iron ore ships, shoveling coal on the Great Lakes. Paul later worked for Johnson Motors in Waukegan, IL. Paul attended Barber College in St. Paul, becoming a licensed barber. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1958 and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany, responsible for the NATO Sheild of Defense missile program in Europe. Paul was proud to be a trigger man for the “Honest John Rocket” as part of this program. After being discharged from the Army in 1964, Paul went on to build a successful barber business in downtown Minneapolis where his regular customers included many celebrities, professional athletes and politicians, including Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphery. Paul eventually followed his brother Jim and became a remarkably successful sale rep and later District Manager for Pitney Bowes in the Fargo, ND District for over 26 years.

Paul met the “love of his life”, Sandra (Collander) on August 8, 1962. Paul and Sandra were married on June 1, 1963 and recently celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. Paul and Sandra raised two children, Scott and Walter, who were the lights of his life. After his retirement in 1998, Paul and Sandra lived at their beloved lake home on Leaf Lake near Ottertail, Minnesota, before they later settled down in Forest Lake where they enjoyed retirement life right off the lake. If you ever got Paul’s cell phone voice mail, you would recognize his uplifting greeting “It’s a beautiful day on the water!” Paul enjoyed living on the water in Minnesota and vacationing on the beach in Panama City Beach, FL for many years.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents Lempi and Walter J. Perala, baby brother Joseph, his sisters Delores (Dede) Menze (Orland), Loraine Olson (Rueben), his brothers Floyd Perala, Jim Perala (Lois), Jess Perala (Irene/Jeanette), and Jack (Audrey) Perala.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sandra (Collander) Perala, his son Scott (Jennifer) Perala and grandchildren Patrick and Hannah Perala, son Walter (Suzi) Perala, granddaughter Ashley Perala, sister-in-law Beverly Perala, Lawrenceville, GA, and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, if you wish the family suggests a donation to Hospice of the Midwest, 146 Lake St. N., #225, Forest Lake, MN 55025.