Arthur T. Jelinski

Arthur "Art" Jelinski, age 85, of Little Falls, MN, passed away Friday, January 29, 2010 at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Fr. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes parish cemetery with military honors by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2010 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls with a Rosary at 4:30 p.m. and Parish Prayers 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the funeral home Tuesday morning from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Arthur "Art" Thomas Jelinski was born on December 10, 1924 in Swan River Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to the late John P. & Helen (Yourczek) Jelinski. Following his schooling, Art joined the U.S. Navy Seabees and served from 1944 - 1946 in the Pacific on Okinawa. He was united in marriage to Leona "Pat" Casey on February 7, 1948 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Elmdale, MN. The couple made their home in the Twin Cities for a year before moving to a farm in Swan River Township. Later on, they moved into Little Falls. Art was employed as a truck driver for Crestliner and also worked in the plant. In 1958, he was elected as a business agent for the Machinist Union Local 1502 in St. Cloud. He then began his career with the AFL-CIO in St. Paul where he was a labor organizer, retiring in 1985. Following his retirement, Art was involved in serving his community on the Little Falls Planning Commission, the Initiative Foundation, the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Association, AFL-CIO Retiree group and was very involved in the DFL Party in Morrison County. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, life member of both the Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112 and the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, was a member of the Order of the Cooties Pup Tent #67 and a 57 year member of the Machinist Union. He served as Post Commander and Chaplain of the V.F.W. Art's hobbies and interests included spending time at their cabin on Sebie Lake, fishing, card playing, hunting, watching the Twins and Vikings and politics. Family was important to Art. He cherished the time spent with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 62 years, Leona "Pat" Jelinski of Little Falls; children, Joyce Waldvogel and special friend, Mike Jasper of Hillman, MN, Carol Waldvogel and husband, Robert of Cecil, WI, Donald Jelinski and wife, Nadine of Corcoran, MN, Diane Doyle and husband, George of Sauk Rapids, MN, John Jelinski and wife, Karen of Royalton, MN and Timothy Jelinski and wife, Casey of McGregor, MN; siblings, Irene Maciey of Little Falls, MN, Dolores Stanek of Brainerd, MN, Bernadine Woltman of Little Falls, MN, Mildred Motes of Clarksdale, AZ, Wilfred Jelinski and wife, Betty of Little Falls, MN and Ralph Jelinski and wife, Mary of Eagan, MN; 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Art was preceded in death by his son, Duane Jelinski; parents, John P. & Helen (Yourczek) Jelinski; infant brother, Gerard Jelinski; brothers-in-law, John Maciej, Sam Maciey, Otto Stanek, Peter Woltman and Clarence Motes.