Eleanore Elizabeth Bednarski, 93, of Grand Rapids, MN, formerly of Finland, MN, passed away on January 25, 2025 at Grand Itasca Hospital following a brief illness.
Eleanore was born February 23, 1931 in Barksdale, WI, the daughter of John and Ella (Cuty) Tonka. She was the youngest of five children and was raised on the family farm. Eleanore met her husband, Florian Bednarski, on New Years Eve of 1948 and they married on December 17, 1949. Together they worked with her parents on the family farm for a few years, then moved to Finland, MN where they raised their four children.
Eleanore loved people and she loved life. She was a friend to many and was genuinely interested in their lives and enjoyed frequent phone conversations with friends and her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker, cook and baker. Those who knew her know she was a lucky gal at bingo, cards and the casino. She loved her Word Search books that she could zip through and she was sharp as a tack right to the end. She was always up for a good time and laughter, and her pleasant demeanor was enjoyed by all who knew her. She was loved by many for her kind, loving spirit and caring nature.
Eleanore worked at the Finland Air Base from 1966 through 1974 when the air base closed. She and her husband moved to Grand Rapids in 1997 where they enjoyed many years of “city life”. Eleanore worked for Northern Lights Casino for four years as a hostess and cashier, then transferred to White Oak Casino for a year as a greeter until her retirement.
Eleanore was preceded in death by her husband, Florian Bednarski; her parents, John and Ella Tonka; and her siblings, Louis, George, Mabel and Dorothy.
Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved children, her three sons, Donald (Lisa) Bednarski of White Bear Lake, Dave Bednarski of Duluth, Robert (Diane) Bednarski of Lakeville; and her daughter, Deborah Hahn (Scott Richards) of Grand Rapids; Grandsons, Donald Bednarski (Andrea Klocke) of Oakdale, Blake Bednarski (Natalie Medvetski) of Minneapolis, and Jacob Stenerson of Bloomington; Granddaughters, Anissa (Mike) Raleigh of Stillwater, Christine (Steven) Pak of Deer Park, IL, Jodi Conlin (Tory Greeninger) of Minneapolis, and Nikki (Ryan) Bilyeu of Monterey, CA; Great Grandson, Mason Conlin of Stillwater; Great granddaughters, Ruby Conlin of Minneapolis, Alexandra Raleigh of Stillwater, Ryleigh and Taylor Pak of Deer Park, IL, and Josephine and Delilah Bilyeu of Monterey, CA.
A celebration of Eleanore’s life will be held on her 94th birthday, Sunday, February 23rd, at Solid Rock Church of God in LaPrairie, MN, with visitation beginning at 2:00 until the 3:00 service with Pastor Mary Fultz officiating.
Private graveside services will be held this summer, with interment at Sawtooth Mountain Cemetery, Silver Bay, MN.
