Ernest Pelto

ernest pelto

Ernest "Ernie" E. Pelto, 80, peacefully departed this life on September 25, 2011. He was the beloved husband of Edith "Loraine" Pelto of 40 years. Ernie was born in Calumet, Michigan to the late Edwin Y. and Sylvia Seppala Pelto. Both sets of his grandparents were early Finnish settlers of the Copper Country. Ernie was a proud retired U.S. Air Force Major (Korean and Vietnam Veteran). He earned a Masters degree in Meteorology from the University of Minnesota. After retiring from the USAF, Ernie worked for the United States Weather Service for many years.

Ernie was a very kind and generous person who helped many people through the years as a volunteer by assisting others to file their taxes. Over the years Ernie played and coached many championship softball teams. He loved golf, reading and spending special moments with family and friends. He enjoyed life to the fullest making friends wherever he went.

Ernie was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Besides his loving wife Loraine, he leaves his children: Cheri (Richard) Brady, Judith Lafreniere and Karla (James) Shea, all from Massachusetts. He leaves eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He leaves brothers Norm (Sandy) Pelto and Ken (Carol) Pelto all from Florida.

He also leaves Loraine's children: John (Cherie) Spray, Steve (Barb) Spray, Mary (Doug) Otto, Bill Spray, Martha (Gary) Kramer, twelve grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Ernie was preceded in death by his daughter, Pamela Blizniak, his brothers Raymond and Carl Pelto, and sisters Carol LaMother and Nancy Carlson.

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  1. Hapeville GAMy thoughts and prayers are with you, Lorraine and girls as we all mourn the loss of Ernie. I wish I could have made it to the celebration of his life, but was unable. God bless and I will keep you all in my prayers. I am sure that he is now at peace along with my mother, (his sister) Nancy, Carl, Raymond, Carol, as well as his parents, Sylvia and Edwin. We shall miss them and remember them all in our hearts and memories. Lynn Heikell and Family

  2. Midland TXIt is with great sadness that I meet the news of Ernie Pelto’s passing.

    Over the years, I’ve thought about all the great times we had while living in Lubbock. Many of those great times are tied directly to Ernie. Never have I laughed so much as I did around Ernie, and learned so much about life as I did by watching him enjoy his life to its fullest.

    Ernie made things fun – his excitement for life was contagious – and I am pretty confident in saying that I don’t think I’ll ever meet another Ernie Pelto. He was something special!

    Ernie was probably the most generous person I’ve ever met. He kept life in perspective and knew what was important – friends and family – and he gave what he had to all around him to enjoy. I’ll never forget him…and only hope I can live my life in the same great way that he did.

    Loraine, we love you. We’re thinking about you on this difficult day.

  3. Fargo ND
    The staff of Paradiso and their favorite waitress, Sheila, will miss Ernest. We always looked forward to seeing he and his lovely wife Loraine. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  4. Jasper GeorgiaErnie and I were both born in Raymbaultown in the Upper Peninsula back in the thirties. We were absolutely best friends. When Ernie joined the Air Force we became separated, but kept in touch and I visited Ernie many times since then. My wife, Jean and I saw Ernie and his wife in Kansas City and in Lubbock. We even spent a vacation at Copper Harbor together about five years ago.
    Ernie emailed me about a month ago and we called each other on our birthdays. We liked being “eighty-year olds from Raymbaultown.”
    I feel bad that we won’t be able to do that any more.
    I didn’t know that he was ill, and was shocked to find that he left us while in the hospital.
    Loraine, we wish you peace. You and Ernie had a love that was inspiring.

  5. Brookfield WIWe will all miss Ernie very much. We will always remember his hearty laugh and his love for life. Ernie will also be remembered by the genuine care and interest that he showed to everyone he met.

    All the best to his family and friends that are able to make it to his service.

    Mike and Kathy

  6. Lubbock TXI’m not even sure where to begin. Ernie was so many things to me…colleague, mentor, coach, friend!

    On Ernie’s good word I was hired into the National Weather Service, which has been one of the most significant things to ever happen in my life.

    Ernie gave me the best financial advice I have ever received and Ernie and Loraine treated me like a son, and they did that for a ton of other young folks in Lubbock as well.

    He was a man of compassion, warmth, generosity…and humor!! One of the funniest men I have ever met. He could laugh at himself as well as everyone else and he was truly one of the legendary characters to ever work the operations floor at NWS Lubbock. His legend will live on there for many years to come.

    Ernie also coached our Blue Northers softball team and there is no telling how much of the family fortune he spent on that team and its members through the years!

    I’m certainly a better person for knowing Ernie and the world has been a better place for having him in it. I love you Ernie (and I love you Loraine). Rest in peace, my friend.

  7. I worked with Ernie in Lubbock, TX and got to know him as a wonderful, energetic person who brought a positive atmosphere to the National Weather Service office there. Ernie always had a smile on his face, and not only did his commitment to service show itself every day, he always had a great story to tell about life or the weather. My sincere condolences to Ernie’s family, both his personal family, and his extended family in the National Weather Service and in all of his other walks of life. May great memories bring some comfort to all during this difficult time.

  8. Madison ALI am very sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing. I was a summer student in Taunton, MA in 1994 and Ernie was extremely gracious and helpful. He was a GREAT guy to work with. I will never forget Ernie and Loraine having me over to their home. That meant a lot to me. In the late ’90 I had the pleasure and honor to work with Ernie again in Lubbock. In many ways, I owe my career to great men and teachers like Ernie.

    My thoughts and prayers are with Loraine and the rest of the family. Our loss is Heaven’s gain!

  9. Thank you, Lord, for easing Ernie’s pain and allowing him to join you in Heaven. Please, Lord, give us peace and comfort and wrap your arms around Grandma at this difficult time.
    Amen

  10. Now, years after his death, I was thinking about old friend Ernie Pelto and inquired about him online — only to find that he died in 2011 — years ago. If there is no other meaning, it is that friends of many decades ago remember him as a decent and dedicated man, and in the sense that he is remembered he remains among us all. Ernie was my friend in Madrid, Spain, while we were both in the Air Force. His focus then was on family and career, and though there apparently were changes as time passed, he remains in my thoughts as a good fellow who always tried to do his best, both in his work and his life. Belated goodbye, and best wishes to his family.


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