Ernest R. Pellman

Ernest Robert “Ernie” Pellman, 94, lifelong Maple, WI resident, died peacefully with family by his side, Friday, December 29, 2023, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN following a brief illness.

He was born in Maple, WI on November 14, 1929, the son of John and Verna (Haukkala) Pellman.

Ernest attended Maple Corner School, helped on the family farm, and logged with his father.

Ernest served his country honorably in the United States Army, stationed stateside as an MP during the Korean Conflict, and he was a former member of the American Legion.

Ernest was united in marriage to Gladys “Liz” Johnson on June 5, 1954, and last year celebrated sixty-nine years of marriage.

Ernest held various occupations over the years, working as a seaman sailing the Great Lakes, as a milk truck driver, and at the Maple Co-op Store and Maple Feed Mill. He also worked at the U.S. Steel Plant in Duluth and as a toolmaker at Diamond Tool and Horseshoe in Duluth from where he retired in 1991.

He was a jack-of-all-trades and had many hobbies including auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, and wood working. He also butchered for neighbors and cut hair for his friends. And he was there to lend a hand whenever someone needed help with a project.

Ernie enjoyed the outdoors his whole life. He spent time fishing and canoeing the Brule River, fishing Lake Superior in all seasons, trapping, and especially enjoyed deer hunting. He was a founding member of the Bardon Creek (hunting) Gang.

Ernie and Liz enjoyed their large vegetable gardens every year and loved listening to classic country music together. He also enjoyed going to auctions with his buddies “JP” and “Ole.”

He loved to laugh and entertain people. Being musically inclined, he enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and “doing the train whistle.” But his favorite pastime was spending time with his family and friends.

Ernie was proud of his Finnish heritage and spoke Finnish fluently, having grown up speaking the language at home. He loved the sauna and heated it at least once a week right up until his recent illness.

He was a caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Gladys “Liz” Pellman; daughters Diane Pellman, Lake Worth, FL, and Linda Pellman, Superior, WI; his sons, Ernest T. “Ted” Pellman (Kathy Laakso), Superior, WI, and Robert “Bob” Pellman (Joan Keeler-Pellman), Lake Nebagamon, WI; grandchildren Travis (Alyssa) Anderson, Brody Pellman, Holly Pellman, Alex (Kelly) Paquette, Hanna Paquette, Stephanie (Chad) Trebilcock, and Jessie (Terry) Pearson; great-grandchildren Daxten, Lyydi, Frankie, Senia and Talia; son-in-law James “Jim” Waisanen, and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Wendy Waisanen; grandson Taylor Anderson; son-in-law Dick Anderson; step great-grandson Dallas Pearson; sisters, Irene Parenteau, Ruth Beckman, Edith Warner, and Delores Gramer; brothers Carl Pellman and George Pellman; foster sister, Helen Luoma, and his parents.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Comfort Care staff at Essentia Health for their kind and compassionate care.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5th Street, Superior, and will continue until the 12:00 PM Memorial Service with Pastor Victor St. George officiating.

Immediately following the service, the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435 Honor Guard will accord Military Honors.

Burial will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery in Maple, WI at a later date.

To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit www.lenroot-maetzold.com.