Mike John Pechek

Michael John Pechek was born on May 19, 1955 to Charlotte Paris Pechek and Louis Pechek at the Shipman Hospital in Ely, MN. He lived his entire life in Ely and was very proud to tell you that he was born and raised there. 

Mike passed away peacefully, in the early morning hours of January 22, 2023 surrounded by his family at his “home away from home” EBCH, after fighting a long and very courageous battle against lung cancer. 

Mike graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1973. He received his education as an x-ray technician at the Virginia Regional Medical Center and the University of Minnesota. Mike worked several jobs during his 35 year career at EBCH and made many friends along the way. He retired from his position as the Director of Radiology in 2018. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom and sister in law Nora. 

Mike is survived by his daughter Jamie (Andy Linden), grandson Alex, granddaughter Hailee, his brother Louis (Monica) and their daughters Shari, (nephews Alec and Brenden) and Michelle (Ken Madison) and their children Alexis (Nate Starke), Hannah and Andrew, niece Kristy (Tony Cummings) and their children, Chloe, Tony and Lucy, Aunt Natalie DeGuisti and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mike enjoyed spending time with his family and especially with his granddaughter. Mike was an avid hunter and fisherman and he loved the time he spent with his family during deer camp each year. Those were some of his most treasured times spent. Mike was a member of the EBCH board. He also headed the American Cancer Society Charity work for years. Friends and family will also tell you that he bled purple and gold as he was a die hard fan of the Vikings all of his life. 

Mike had many friends and will be so deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know and love him. There will be a celebration of life at the Kerntz Funeral home in Ely on Saturday January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Mike’s family invites all who knew and loved him to join us in sharing stories and celebrating a life very well lived. Food and beverages will be provided.

Mikes daughter would also like to thank all of the medical staff at EBCH and the Virginia Regional Medical Center for the care he received during his battle against cancer. He considered you all like family and I know it was very important to him. 

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

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