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As received from the Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes:
Irene Pelto, 95, formerly of Tapiola and Houghton, passed away January 12, 2021, at Canal View – Houghton County in Hancock.
Irene was born on the Torro farm in Tapiola, the youngest and last surviving child of Abram and Wilhelmina (Moilanen) Torro. She attended John A. Doelle school in Tapiola graduating in 1943. Irene married Leonard Pelto on May 6, 1944 – a marriage lasting 72 years. The couple resided in Tapiola, Pelkie and Crystal Falls. Upon retiring in 1982 they returned to the Copper Country living on the family farm in Tapiola and later in Houghton.
Irene and Leonard enjoyed traveling, fishing on Lake Superior, camping, skiing and snowmobiling. In later years they spent several winters in Texas and Arizona. Irene enjoyed life as a homemaker and visiting with family and friends. She was very proud of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, sharing stories of them with everyone friends and strangers alike.
She is survived by her daughter, Sandy (John) Giordana of Houghton, granddaughter Jena (Rick) Baker of Santa Rosa, CA; grandson John (Sara) Giordana of Denver, CO; and three great grandchildren – Ricky and Jordana Baker and John Burke Giordana as well as sister-in-law, Dorine Torro and numerous nieces and nephews.
Irene was preceded in death by her brothers John, Charles, Armas, Urho, Theodore, Hugo, Donald, and Eino; and sisters Anna Petrelius Plough, Martha Pesola, Wilma Heikkinen and Viola Tarvas Reichardt.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Monday, July 19, 2021, at Mission United Lutheran Church of Pelkie with Rev. Kelly Ylitalo to officiate. Burial will be in the Pelkie Cemetery.
Friends may call on Monday, July 19, 2021, from 10 am until time of services at Mission United Lutheran Church of Pelkie.
The family wishes to thank the outstanding staff of Canal View who not only provided Irene with excellent care but also a compassionate and loving “family”.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family suggests a donation be made to Mission United Lutheran Church of Pelkie or a charity of your choice.
To view Irene’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes of Hancock have been assisting the family with the arrangements.
