LIMINGA - Delores Jean (Pelland) Makela, 69, a resident of Liminga Road, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, July 2, 2012, at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital.
She was born in Laurium on July 20, 1942, to Russell Pelland and Evelyn Mahaffey Congdon. She spent most of her youth in Hancock, graduating from Hancock Central High School in 1961.
On December 5, 1970, she married John Makela. After the last of her five children started school, Delores began her career as a sales clerk, working for K-Mart, Pamida and American Greetings throughout the years. Retiring in 1994, she and John continued to care for her grandsons, John and Troy.
She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, playing cards, building puzzles, gardening, canning and making wood. She also enjoyed laughing, joking and stitching with the members of her S&B Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Evelyn; brothers, Johnny and Ronald Pelland; and a special cousin, Faith Brewer.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, John; their five children, Laurie (Richard) Richards, Alan Yowell (Candy), Tamara (Albert) Bruneau, Tonya Makela (Joseph) and Tarri (Joe) Funke; grandsons, John and Troy still living at home; five step-children, John (Debra) Makela, Karen (Kyle) LaCasse, Michael (Kim) Makela, Kelly Manning and Kimberly Makela; 16 grandchildren, Christopher, Richard, Kaylyn, Chelsea, Tyler, Amanda, Michelle, Britney, Christine, Kayleigh, Daymen, Coleton, Nikiah, Michael, Brandon and Devan; four great-grandchildren, Kendra, Lil Vinnie, Nivayah and Oliver; a brother, Dale (Annette) Pelland; half-sister, Patricia (Del) Murphy; half-brother, David Pelland; step-brother, Gordon (Bud) Congdon; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock, Friends may call from 1 p.m. until time of services.
The O'Neill-Dennis Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting the family with arrangements.
Please go to oneilldennisfh.com to leave condolences.