The Legacy of Grey Wolf Lodge

John Takala arrives at Pelican Lake, traveling an epic route: by canoe from Tower across Lake Vermilion, up the Vermilion River, along the Pelican River, and finally reaching Pelican Lake. Later that year, he and his bride Matilda travel by train from Virginia to Ashawa (now Cook) and walk 24 miles with their belongings to start their new life.

The Takala family sets roots at Pelican Lake with their three young children. They begin clearing the land, building a homestead, and establishing a self-sufficient life in the rugged Minnesota wilderness.

Over the next several years, the Takalas clear roughly 100 acres, farm hay, potatoes, and corn, and construct roads and cabins. Life is hard but full of purpose as the family grows and thrives amidst the natural beauty of the area.

The Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Co. pushed the railroad to Orr bringing thousands of men, and many immigrants to work in the surrounding forests. The Virginia & Rainy Lake Lumber Co. was the largest on Earth, producing on average a million board feet of lumber a day, seven days a week. Production on such a vast scale required an enormous supply of virgin white and red pine harvesting a total of four billion board feet over a 20-year period. With the influx of rowdy lumberjacks, Orr was a very rough and tumble town. Public drunkenness, gambling, fights, murders and prostitution were all part of the lawlessness of the area.

John Alfred Takala, eldest of five children and a graduate of Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, leaves his mining job to return home and care for his aging parents, continuing the family’s dedication to the land and community.

John Takala opens Grey Wolf Lodge (know then as Lakeside Farm Resort), gradually adding cabins over time. That same year, he personally builds the boathouse that becomes a centerpiece of the resort. Guests begin arriving to enjoy the tranquility of Pelican Lake, forging memories that would last generations.

At the age of 86, John Takala marries Henrietta, marking a joyful personal milestone late in life.

John sells Grey Wolf Lodge (known then as Lakeside Farm Resort) on a contract for deed and relocates to Phoenix, Arizona, with Henrietta. The resort changes hands but continues to hold the spirit of its founding family.

J & J Land Co. acquires the resort, which sits vacant for a few years. Caretakers Grubby and Diana occasionally maintain the property, keeping the cabins and grounds in shape for future owners.

Rob and Joanne Kemkes purchase the resort and rename it Grey Wolf Lodge. Their most notable project is the renovation of the original 1939 Takala barn, moving it from its hilltop location to its current spot.

John Metsa, his wife, Carol Carlson, and one of his sons, Jacob Metsa, take over Grey Wolf Lodge, adding modern amenities while respecting its heritage. A mini-golf course, spa building, one-hole golf course, and the “Big Toy” playground transform the resort into a lively destination for families and friends.

Ross and Lara Coyer acquire Grey Wolf Lodge, bringing passion, experience, and a shared commitment to preserving and enhancing its legacy. Ross, a lifelong “resort lifer” and fifth-generation resort owner, has deep roots in Minnesota’s resort community. Lara, originally from England, brings broad international experience, having worked in the UK, Vietnam, and Australia, adding a fresh perspective to the lodge. Together, they are dedicated to keeping Grey Wolf Lodge vibrant and welcoming for generations of guests to come.

As part of their first major updates to Grey Wolf Lodge, Ross and Lara Coyer converted the former owners’ home into a one-of-a-kind vacation rental: The Wolf Den, now the lodge’s largest and most spacious rental. Located in the iconic converted barn, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment offers a unique stay full of rustic character.