Delores Marie Pucel

Delores Marie Pucel, age 88 of Plymouth, MN passed away on Sunday, January 3 ^rd , 2021.  She was born in Keewatin, MN on March 22, 1932 and was the third child of Matthew and Angela Drobnick.  Delores lost her father in a mining accident just before her second birthday.  She moved to Ely, MN in 1940 with her mother and stepfather, Frank Marolt (also known as her “second dad”).

Delores graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1950.  She held a variety of positions including working at a movie theater, where she was known as the “Popcorn Queen”, worked at Zup’s grocery store and worked for one year as a dental assistant for two local dentists.  She moved to Minneapolis in 1952 and enrolled in a telecommunication class.  She was employed by Honeywell in the teletype department and was later promoted to secretary.  After being set up on a blind date, managing a long-distance relationship and a secret engagement, Delores married the love of her life.   On July 31, 1954, Delores Drobnick and Joseph Pucel were united in Holy Matrimony at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, MN.  They moved to LaCrosse, WI where Joe started his teaching career.  After six years, they moved to Crystal, MN where they raised their three daughters, Marie, Peggy and Terri.

Once her children were grown, she worked for a tax accountant for 20 years as a tax preparer.  Once retired, Joe and Delores enjoyed spending time in Ely, traveling, visiting with family and friends and wintering in Florida.

Delores enjoyed sewing, gardening and traveling.  She also enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. They have countless memories visiting their grandparents up in Ely, MN during the summer. She loved teaching them new card games, shopping in downtown Ely, walking to Dairy Queen, swimming at the cabin, showing them how to make ham salad with her hand-grinder, and going on nature walks around the lakes. Delores was strong-willed, protective, and loving to those who were blessed to be a part of her life. Her presence will be greatly missed by all her loved ones.

She is preceded in death by beloved spouse, Joe Pucel, her parents, brothers, and parents-in-law.  Delores is survived by her daughters, Marie Pucel, Peggy (Ben) Januschka, Terri (Mike) Frain, grandchildren, Laura (Zach) Blasing, Jenna (Tim) Charmoli and Kelsey Frain, great grandchildren, Lydia and Ian.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 7 ^th at St. Raphael Catholic Church.  She will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to the Joe Pucel Scholarship Fund - Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, MN.