LOLITA MARY SCHNITZIUS

Lolita M. Schnitzius, 83, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely.
Lolita was born on June 9, 1938 in Evanston, Illinois on June 6,1938 to John and Betty Schnitzius. She grew up in Chicago, graduated from Alvernia High School and received a BA in art and English from Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa. Leet, as her family affectionally called her, worked in advertising in Chicago for 12 before coming to Ely in 1972.
Though Leet loved to travel, she found her favorite place within the city and people of Ely, Minnesota. She started work as a bartender and spent time working for the Ely Echo, Ely Miner and the Ely Shopper. Along the way she became fondly know in Ely as Lita or Leets by her many friends and neighbors in Ely. She was active in supporting community development efforts and joined the Development Council and served on the New Business Committee. This ultimately led her to serving on the city council and in 1998, becoming the first woman mayor of Ely. She successful ran for office again in 2000. After deciding not to run for office in 2002, she continued to support her community by volunteering but now found time for travel, golf, fishing, reading and visits to her far flung family.
Lolita is survived by her sister, Joan Jander of Germantown, WI, brother Jack of Alameda, CA, nephews Alan Jander (Georgene) of Monument, CO, Brian (Ann) of Freehold, NJ and niece Karen (Tom Brenn) of Sussex, WI as well as great nieces and nephews and their families.
A celebration of her life, the Final Farewell Jack Benny party, will be held in 2022. Look for the notice in your local Ely papers.
Cremation entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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