Stabbing Victim's Best Friend Speaks Out

DULUTH- Sally Pionk, 75, was the victim in the random stabbing that occured last Thursday at the Super One in West Duluth.But, she was also a lifelong friend and music partner for a woman named Dottie Lou Bolme.Sally and Dottie were friends for years and grew up in the same neighborhood in Bruno, Minn. Music was what truly linked the two together, and in 2013, they made a Polka record called, "The Great Grandma's."Dottie Lou said, "She was like a sister to me."They played at many polka fests, moose clubs and nursing homes.  Every year, the two would celebrate Christmas together.Pionk was just at Dottie's house the week before she was killed. During that visit, the friends exchanged gifts and homemade candy.  But, the most important gift of all was their friendship. "I really loved her and I'm going to miss her so much because we always did so many things together," Dottie said.There will be a candlelight vigil for Pionck and the heroic Super One employees this Saturday at 7:50 p.m. at the grocery store in West Duluth.A statement from Pionk's family is below: "The family of Sally Pionk would like to extend our most heartfelt gratitude to the employees and customers at Super One who assisted in this most horrific tragedy. We are so overwhelmed with your heroism and your selflessness.  Sally was a wonderful and dedicated mother.  She was a caretaker of many.  There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't assist someone in need.  Our family is heavily grieving at this time and requests that our privacy be respected."