MARQUETTE, MI - Elaine Marie Drobny, age 95, of Marquette passed away Thursday, October 1, 2020, at Trillium Hospice House in the loving care of her family and caregivers from U.P. Home Health and Hospice. Born December 31, 1924, in Marquette, a daughter of Bernard and Flora (Messier) Kolky, Elaine was raised in Marquette and graduated from Bishop Baraga High School, Class of 1943. Like so many other young women of her time, Elaine began her career with Michigan Bell Telephone as a telephone operator. The employment turned into a career that, through advancements to chief operator and supervisor, turned into a 33 year career. On August 16, 1958, Elaine was united in marriage to Joseph Drobny at St. Peter Cathedral. The couple made their home in Marquette with Elaine only taking time off from work to have her children. In the early years of their marriage, Joe, Elaine, and their children enjoyed many trips traveling across the country, most of them in a camper. Throughout the years, the couple’s travels took them to all 50 states and included trips to Europe to visit relatives behind the Iron Curtain, which was in force at the time, taking cruises and tours, and visiting national parks. They also enjoyed many years at their camp on the Dead River Basin. However, Joe and Elaine were most known for their talent on the dance floor. As the saying goes, they really knew how to “cut a rug”. They enjoyed everything from ballroom dancing and square dancing, to line dancing. Elaine, an accomplished seamstress, made elaborate costumes as the couple belonged to many area dance clubs throughout the years. They often traveled to dance events and earned many trophies and awards for their abilities on the dance floor, as well as making many lifelong friends. In fact, Elaine often said she attributed her longevity to all the dancing she and Joe did. Another tradition at the Drobny house on High Street was the annual Christmas display on the front lawn. Joe would display one of his classic old autos on the front lawn, complete with Santa as the driver, Rudolph the passenger (with blinking red nose), and packages loaded in the rear. The display was a joint effort, with Elaine providing the costuming and much of the creativity. For many years, the display attracted locals, bus tours, awards, and was the subject of TV and newspaper interviews. Elaine’s creativity also displayed itself when Joe entered classic car shows and she sewed period costumes for the couple. Additionally, Elaine was an avid fan of hockey, especially the Red Wings and the NMU hockey team. The couple held NMU season tickets, often followed the team and attended championship games. She was an avid reader, enjoyed working jigsaw puzzles, played Sudoku even into her illness, and was an enthusiastic fan of the Packers. She and Joe both enjoyed playing Trivia weekly as part of the JEB Team and the Four Wheelers over a twelve year period, and won prizes for their competitive efforts. Among the many organizations Elaine belonged to over the years, including various dance clubs, she was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. In 2019, the couple established a new scholarship through the Marquette Area Public Schools Education Foundation for graduating seniors to be awarded to a student interested in visual arts and design. For the couple who were always busy, it was a way of giving back to their community in gratitude. Elaine is survived by her husband of 62 years, Joe; her children, James (Susan) Drobny of Marquette, Jill (Ted) Hadley of Sunnyvale, CA, and Robin (Wally) Rauvala of Marquette; her grandchildren, Dylan and Candace Drobny, Heidi and Adam Rauvala, and Eric Hadley; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, Elaine was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Beatrice and Stephen Sarka and brother and sister-in-law, Leroy and Margaret Kolky. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Marquette Area Public Schools Education Foundation, Joe and Elaine Drobny Scholarship, 1201 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855 or UP Home Health and Hospice, 1125 W. Ridge Street, Marquette, MI 49855. Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com