Mary Yelle

Born and raised in Gwinn, Tina was the beloved daughter of Isabel “Izzy” and Sigmond Mohn. Her life was one filled with love, laughter, and an unwavering devotion to family and friends.

Tina met the love of her life, Clare Yelle, in a story that has three different versions–What is certain is that she made it clear: she wouldn’t marry him unless he learned how to dance. Clare rose to the challenge, and on December 3, 1955, they began a beautiful life together.

A proud and loving mother, their fiercest defender, Tina is survived by her four children: Dennis (Mary) Yelle of Ishpeming, Nancy (Emily Wilson) Yelle of Marquette, Sharon (Urban) Meyer of Green Bay, WI, Bill (Chris) Yelle of Chicago, IL and nephew Bill (Pam) Rautio of Gwinn, MI. She was also a cherished grandmother to seven grandchildren: Billy (Renee) Nett, Tyler Yelle, Ashley (Brad) Cornelius, Ryan Kate (Michael) Gough, Alex (Alyssa) Nett, Kristen (Jedd) Wellenkotter, and Maddy Meyer. Her legacy continues in her thirteen great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Lillian, and Gabriella Nett; Allie Jo and Harper Yelle; Noah, Stella, and Ava Cornelius; Lucas Gough; John and Harlowe Nett and Miles and Lou Wellenkotter.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clare Yelle, infant daughter, Mary Therese Yelle, sister, Isabel “Snooty” Rautio, brother-in-law, Roy Rautio and nephew, Gary Rautio.

Tina’s family extends far beyond the individuals listed above, we thank you for the time spent loving Tina throughout her life.

Tina never missed a moment in her children’s lives–she was always present, cheering them on, and their friends quickly became part of the family. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, and no one ever left her presence without becoming her friend. Tina’s children’s close friends were quickly “adopted” into the Yelle family as their own where they shared many laughs around the kitchen table.

She had a special love for singing and dancing, a joy she shared with her children and grandchildren. Family gatherings quickly turned into driveway concerts and dance parties filled with music and laughter–a simple pleasure she thoroughly enjoyed.

Since 2003, Tina was a member of the Marquette Elks Lodge #405. Tina embraced life with a spirit of generosity and camaraderie. She was the Lecturing Knight for many of those years, involved in the Elks Major Project and was a member of the Elks National Foundation and Elks Ladies Auxiliary. She dearly loved her Elks family.

Tina’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff at Norlite Nursing Center, whose kindness and care made her final days full of love and warmth. A special thank you to close family friend, Helen Lafayette, for the love and support she provided to Tina over the years.

Tina’s legacy of love, kindness, and joyful spirit will live on in all who knew her. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered with a smile and a Bud Light.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette from 3 until 5 p.m. with a celebration of life to follow at the Elks Lodge BPOE #405, 127 N Front St, Marquette, MI 49855.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask you to consider donating to one of the following organizations:

Bay Cliff Health Camp https://baycliff.org/support/, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital https://stjude.org/donate or Breast Cancer Foundation | Susan G Komen https://komen.org

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving Tina’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com.