Leona Marie Janezich

Leona Marie Janezich, age 91, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. She had finished living her life. 

She was born in Ely, Minnesota to Louis and Ana (Matelic) Janezich on May 27, 1929. Leona graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1947 and from Ely Junior College in 1949.  Her work experience for a short time included being a nurse’s aide at the old Shipman Hospital, a clerk at the Sears Catalogue Office, a third grade teacher at Fort Yates on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, a worker in a dental office, and finally, for 47 years she worked various jobs at the American Fraternal Union. 

She belonged to the Ely Branch 23 of the Slovenian (Women’s) union, was a member of the Duluth Scleroderma Support Group, a survivor of melanoma cancer, and a member of Women’s Life Insurance. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Ely-Winton Historical Society. 

Some of the activities she enjoyed were learning to pilot a plane, line dancing, Tai Chi/Qigong, playing mahjong with friends, getting together with the birthday club, attending concerts and plays, listening to music of many kinds, traveling, and learning. 

Preceding Leona in death were her parents, her three-year-old sister Annie, her brothers Louis and Fred.  Her survivors are many cousins and friends here and in Slovenia. 

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in June, with inurnment to follow at the Ely Cemetery.  

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