Dorothy Pelto

Dorothy Pelto of Eden Prairie, MN, age 84, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023 with family present. For the last four years, she had been residing at the Eden Prairie Senior Living facility, moving in when the facility opened operations. She enjoyed living there, and looked forward to visits from her children who visited regularly, almost daily.

Dorothy was born July 8, 1939 to Joseph and Rose (Zajec) Zaic, in Ely, Minnesota. She attended Ely schools, graduating from high school in 1957. She then attended business school in Minneapolis. After this, she returned to Ely and worked in the office of public schools. On June 25, 1960 she married Arthur John Pelto, and they were married for 59 years, raising three children. In 1977 she went back to work as a bookkeeper for an industrial business in the Mt. Iron office park, until 1987. In 1995, Dorothy and Art moved to Andover, MN in order to be closer to their three adult children. Her love and caring for her family were her highest priority. She loved cooking and baking for others, and enjoyed needlework and crocheting, writing letters to friends, family, and relatives in Slovenia, and reading in her later years. Dorothy will be remembered by friends and family for her generosity, selfless nature, and constant smile.

Dorothy is survived by her children, David Pelto, Sheryl Pelto, and Kristen (Jerry) Arntson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, one brother-in-law, Mike Pelto, and some good friends, especially those from her early years in Ely, and those in her recent years at EPSL. She was preceded in death by her husband Art, in 2019, her parents, her brother Joey, her brother John (and wife Anne), her sister Josephine Akins, and three brothers-in-law, George Pelto (and his wife Delores), Werner Pelto, and Frank Akins.

A private family burial will be held at the Ely Cemetery. 

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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