Chester "Chet" Leo Malek, Jr.

Chester “Chet” Leo Malek, Jr., 82, of Baxter, Minnesota went to the Lord on February 1st, 2021 from the Essentia Health Hospital in Brainerd, MN

Chet was born on February 25, 1938 on the way to the hospital to Irene (Billeadeau) and Chester Malek, Sr. at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, MN and grew up in Backus, MN.  After graduating from high school, Chet moved to Minneapolis and became employed as a Millwright with Honeywell.  He retired from Honeywell after 35 ½ years.  Chet met and married Luella Ellestad in 1958 and together they had two children, David and Dawn. Chet was an excellent basketball player in high school and was an ardent fisherman and hunter, which he passed on to his son, David.  Chet was a very simple man, but he was very well known for his carved wood decoys and even has a write up in the Smithsonian.  His favorite saying  was “I’ll be seeing you!”

Family that Chet is reunited with are his wife, Luella; parents, Irene and Chester Malek, Sr.; and siblings, Rosemond “Rosie” Woodruff and Herbie Freeburg.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his children, David (Julie) Malek and Dawn (Bill) Nelson; his beloved partner, Rita Miller; two grandchildren, Cameron Malek and Ashley (Chris) Perez, numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members.

A memorial service for Chet will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20th at Northern Peace Funeral Home in Walker, MN.  A one-hour visitation will be held prior to services starting at 12:00 p.m.    Chet’s honorary pallbearers are Cameron Malek, Chris Perez, Don Geiger, David Hite, Ken Regner, Jerry DeMarre, Tim Woodruff and Jack Woodruff. Pastor Ruth Mayer will officiate.  Inurnment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Backus, MN in the spring.

Chet’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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