Isaac Cornell Perala, 37, of Grand Forks, ND, and a Crookston, MN native, died unexpectedly in Grand Forks on Friday, January 26, 2024. 
Isaac was born in Crookston on June 27, 1986, the youngest of 3 sons of the union of Warren Matthew and Cheryl Lynn (Ulseth) Perala. He was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church and attended Crookston schools, where he was a 3-sport athlete, participating in football, wrestling, and his favorite sport, baseball. He graduated in 2004 and attended the University of Minnesota Crookston for a year before transferring to the University of North Dakota and coached 8th-grade football in Crookston. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, he began working for TC’s Custom Painting and continued helping Joey and the company as needed. Isaac began working for Development Homes, Inc. (DHI) gaming in 2009, quickly moving into gaming management. He provided support to DHI gaming employees across the state of North Dakota while working with the hospitality industry and distributors. He played a pivotal role in the ongoing growth and success of the DHI Gaming Division.
As a younger man Isaac played baseball for the Crookston Reds and in later years with teams in Grand Forks softball leagues. There was nothing Isaac loved more than being on area golf courses with friends. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Isaac provided countless moments of joy and laughter, thriving on lighthearted, humorous banter. He would be the first to engage in random acts of kindness, offering help to those who needed it most.
Isaac is survived by his parents, Warren and Cheryl Perala of Crookston; brother and sister-in-law, David and Samantha Perala of Crookston; grandmother, Donna Ulseth of Crookston; aunts and uncles: Pam Grove of Climax, MN, Marc and Rose Ulseth of Crookston, Kathy Ulseth-Tenold of Fargo, ND, Carolyn Hultquist of Pinedale, WY, and Shelden and Cheryl Perala of Boise, ID; nieces and nephews: Christopher Martin (fiancé, Bailey Bealer), Angelica, Jasmine, Lucas, Gabriel, and Natalie Perala; great-nieces and great-nephew: Paisley, Eli, and Rilen; as well as many close cousins, extended family, and friends.
Isaac was preceded in death by a brother, Jason Perala; grandparents, Roger Ulseth and Toivo and Arlene Perala; aunt, Martene Olson; and uncle, Larry Hultquist.
Blessed be the memory of Isaac Cornell Perala.
The Memorial Service for Isaac will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 3, 2024, in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Crookston, with The Rev. Greg Isaacson officiating. Visitation with Isaac’s family will be for one hour prior to the service. The funeral will be livestreamed by going to his obituary page at www.stenshoelhouske.com and clicking on the prompt to view. Messages of condolence to the family may be offered on the funeral website as well. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be designated to the Crookston Baseball Association or Development Homes, Inc.
To anyone out there who is hurting, please talk to someone. If you have a plan to or are considering harming yourself, call or text the suicide prevention hotline at 988.
