Obituaries

Charles Dale “Chummy” Rolando, 83, passed into the Lord’s hands on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Legacy House in Ocala, FL, surrounded by his loving family.
Charles was born October 22, 1930 in Ely, MN the son of James and Ellen (Toutloff) Rolando. He grew up on Shagawa Lake and graduated from Ely Memorial High School.  He was an outstanding high school athlete participating in football and track but excelled in basketball and American Legion Baseball.  
On August 30, 1950 he married his high school sweetheart Charlene Edith Pregl. After living in Minneapolis for a short time the young couple moved to Babbitt, MN in 1952 where Charles began his career with Reserve Mining Company. In 1955 they moved to Silver Bay and completed his career in 1986 after Reserve Mining Company closed its doors.      

Louis M. “Louie” Benko, 76, of Richfield, MN died on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at his home.  He was born September 7,1937 in Ely to Louis and Ann (Skala) Benko and raised here.
Louie was a retired Wayzata Public Schools principal. He loved to golf, fish and spend time at his “Happy Place”-the cabin in Ely, with family and friends. He loved woodworking and was everyone’s handyman.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary, and his parents, Ann and Louis Benko.

Thomas “Tom” J. Pechek, 62, of Ely, passed away after his battle with cancer on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at his home, with his family at his side.
Tom was born on January 16, 1952 in Ely to Louis and Charlotte (Paris) Pechek. He graduated from Ely High School in 1970. He later went to Hibbing Community College and graduated from the nursing program. Tom was a nurse at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital for 25 years.
Tom is survived by his wife: Nora, their daughter: Kristy (Tony) Cummings, grandchildren: Chloe and Anthony, brothers: Louis (Monica) Pechek and Mike (Valarie) Pechek and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Ann Howell, age 81, passed away March 11, 2014 at the St Cloud Hospital after a long illness.
 Mary was born May 8, 1932 in Ely, MN to the late Louis and Mary (DeBeltz) Glatch. She was a miner’s daughter and grew up in Ely, MN, relocating to Japan, Missouri and Illinois as a military wife before settling in St Cloud. She retired from St Cloud State University as a longtime secretary in the Political Science Department. Mary was a gifted cook, loved her flowers and in retirement found joy in her poodles, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary is survived by daughters Julie of Hanover, Patricia of Clearwater, son Michael of Riverside, CA , grandchildren: Brittany (Jonas) Carman, John Howell and great grandchildren Zoey and Layla Carman.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clifton, son Thomas and her parents and brothers.
With respect to our mother’s wishes, services will be private.