Helen Frances Kochevar

Helen Frances Kochevar, age 99, of Ely, peacefully passed away on July 13, 2023. She was shy a few weeks of celebrating her 100th birthday! After suffering an unfortunate hip break in May 2023, she spent her remaining days at Waterview Pines in Virginia, MN. Helen was an extraordinary woman who lived independently in her own apartment until her accident.

Born on August 18, 1923, in Aurora, MN, Helen was the daughter of Anton J. and Mary (Markovich) Perushek, Sr. She was married to Frederick Kochevar and together they had one son, Thomas Kochevar. Helen dedicated years of her life to working at the Kochevar Shoe Repair while also being a devoted homemaker. When she wasn’t cherishing moments at the family cabins and White Iron Lake, she found joy in her gardening, canning, and engaging in card games and jigsaw puzzles with her friends.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary Pucel, Rose Pucel and Olga Slogar, her twin brothers Anton (Tony) and John Perushek, as well as her half-brothers Joe, Ed, and Ludwig Mistek, her husband Frederick Kochevar and her son Thomas Kochevar. She is survived by her grandson Bruce Kochevar (Mary), granddaughter Lynn Perrey (Ed), grandson Fred Kochevar, and granddaughter Brenda Erjavec. Additionally, she leaves behind several nieces, nephews, cousins, and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made to East Range Hospice at 901 9th St. So., #215, Virginia, MN 55792. Services will be held July 31, 2023, at Kerntz Funeral Home, Ely at 11 a.m.  Interment at Ely Cemetery following the service.  Celebration of Life at the Grand Ely Lodge, 400 N Pioneer Rd, Ely, MN at 12:30 p.m.

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