Judith Mackie, 76, of Babbitt, formerly of Ely, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Babbitt Carefree Assisted Living. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Ryan Stahl, 38, of Ely, passed away in Eveleth, MN on Monday, February 13, 2017.
Ryan was born on April 21, 1978 in Ely to Burnie and Carol Stahl. He attended Ely Memorial High School. He lived the majority of his life in Ely. He also lived in Virginia, MN for about four years and lived for a time in Colorado Springs, CO.
Ryan worked in the blacktop business doing sealcoating. He also worked construction with his father and brother. He also worked at Stony Ridge Restaurant.
He is survived by his wife Amy (Grembowski), daughter Jade Stahl of Newport, MN, son Tyler Stahl of Royalton, MN, brother Jason (Jessie) Stahl of Duluth, nephews Andrew and Troy Stahl; first wife Shannon Perry, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Alisha Jenn, maternal grandparents Andrew and Mary Jaworski, paternal grandparents Samuel and Evelyn Tuomala.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. for visitation, 11 a.m. for the funeral service on February 18, 2017 at Ely Gospel Tabernacle Church in Ely with a lunch to follow. Please join us in remembering Ryan.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Angela (Robich) Barich, 94, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Albert Veranth, 99, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Alice Ann Kovall, 99, of Grass Valley, Calif., formerly of Ely, passed away in Grass Valley on Nov. 7, 2016.
Alice was born June 4, 1917, the daughter of immigrants Steve Kovall (Austria/Hungary) and Margaret Staresinich Kovall Chelesnik (Slovenia). Alice attended the Ely schools and moved to California in 1936 to join her husband who had found work in the restaurant business. It was in California where Alice raised her family, although through the years she made regular return visits to the Ely Area to visit family members.
Alice spent much of her working life in Palo Alto, where she worked from 1960-1985 as clinic coordinator at Stanford University Medical Center.
During the early years of her retirement, Alice was an active member of St. Athanasius Catholic Church of Mountain View. Her weekday routine included early morning mass followed by a five mile walk. With the help of her children, she was able to live independently in the same apartment for nearly 30 years.
At age 96, Alice relocated to Grass Valley to be closer to family. She spent her last years in the kind and loving care of the wonderful staff at Brunswick Village Assisted Living Facility.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Angela Skala, Margaret Deyak, Agnes Jenko, Helen Strukel and Edward Kovall.
Alice is survived by three children: Tom Blackwood, Bobette Blackwood and Ken Kunkel; five grandchildren: Eric Shaffer, Julie Seldes, Justin Blackwood, Chris Blackwood and Melinda Kunkel; great grandchildren: Mason, Bennet, Dylan, Henry, Ethan and brother Robert Kovall of Ely.

Paul Lahti, 71, of Payson, Arizona passed away on February 24, 2017 at his residence. He was born August 16, 1945 to Oscar H. and Mary (Sever) Lahti in Ely, Minnesota.
He married Donna Hendrickson who survives, also surviving is a son Paul Eric Lahti, two daughters: Kelli Lenton and Kori Breschini, eight grandchildren Paul was active in Hockey and Golf while attended Ely Memorial High School, including achieving the status of starting goalie for the HS Hockey Team. After graduating High School, Paul went on to receive a BS in Industrial Arts from the University of Minn-Duluth in 1967. Paul started his career as an engineer in 1967 before moving on to Supervisor positions for Silver Bay Minnesota’s Reserve Mining Company as well as Freemont Mining and Newmont Mining. After Paul spent many years working in the mining industry in United States, Indonesia and Africa, he came to Payson, Arizona to retire.Paul enjoyed golf, hockey, fishing (making frequent trips to Boundary Waters, hunting (deer, duck, and grouse), swimming, as well as water skiing. There will be no services.

Gerald (Jerry) Henry Filson, of Cottage Grove, MN, formerly of Ely, MN, passed away at the age of 77, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on January 26, 2017.
Jerry was a kind and gentle man with unwavering integrity and an exceedingly brilliant mind. After receiving his civil engineering degree from the University of MN, he left the state to begin his professional career on the Seattle freeway with the State of Washington. He proposed to Esther Jackola of Buhl, MN, to come to Seattle. They married and had two daughters, Jennifer and Julie. After five years in Seattle, they came back to MN and settled in their home for the next 50 years in Cottage Grove where Jerry served the MN Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) as the Chief Design Engineer for 30 years. Just a few of his DNR projects include the DNR fish pond at the MN State Fair and the High Bridge at Tettegouchee State Park.
During his DNR career and as a wonderful husband and father, he found time to be a landscape painter, an old time dancer, as well as a gardener. He became a Master Gardener with Esther, created garden videography, and created a public access channel garden show with Esther entitled “Garden Talk.” Both Jerry and Esther received the highest award possible from the MN State Horticulture Society in 1989, The Bronze Medal, for all of their contributions in horticulture. They also both hosted bus-loads of garden enthusiasts to tour their home gardens. Jerry’s roses were well-known. At one point in time he had over 200 varieties of hybrid teas alone! Jerry was also a MN Rose Society consultant. Additionally, his engineering and architectural expertise was showcased in his garden gazebo, fountain, and other landscape structures. Not only did Jerry paint and garden for “fun” he also was known to many as “Jerry Jackpine” as he was a singer and guitarist of classic country music. In his spare time, he sat and watched the birds and squirrels feeding at the many bird feeders he hung that included squirrel protectors.
Jerry also contributed to the Cottage Grove community. He was a volunteer softball coach for his girls’ teams for many years, he ushered for Zion Lutheran Church, he participated on the Parks and Recreation Board of Cottage Grove where both he and Esther received the 2000 Citizen of the Year awards, and he was also a volunteer at the City’s Public Works Department.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Esther (nee Jackola); his daughters: Jennifer (Dan) Klitzke and Julie (Scott) Smith; and brothers: Dale (Donna) and Marlin. He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Lillian; and sister, Karen Cave.
Jerry’s last 28 months were in the exceptional care of White Pine Memory Care in Cottage Grove. The family expresses extreme gratitude for their loving attention to Jerry in his last years, days, and moments in this world.
Visitation was at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th St. S., Cottage Grove, MN 55016, 651-459-2483.
Memorials preferred.

Catherine Joan Chimzar, 93, of Woodbury, formerly of Ely, passed away on Sunday, March 6, 2017. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Tom Richards of Winton, passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Rose Ferderber, 100, of Ely, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017 at Miller-Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Thomas J. Strezishar, 85, of Babbitt, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of
Ely.

Paul A. Jauhola, 61, of Ely, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2017 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Lucille E. Carlson, 78, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Minnie Vandervest, 95, formerly from Ely/Babbitt.
We lost our beloved mom, Minnie, age 95, known to her friends as Snappy and Corky, on March 7, 2017.
She was a woman of great strength, love, generosity and most of all humor. She is loved and missed by many.
She was preceded in death by husband, Earl (Curly). She is survived by her brother Sonny and her four children: Susan, Annie, Colleen (Craig), Merle (Sandy) five grandchildren, and four great grandchildren and special friend Karen.
A Celebration of Life will be on June 10, 2017 in Babbitt, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Health East Hospice St. Paul and the St. Paul Deaf Club.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Don (Herm) Zorman, 63, of Remer passed away at home surrounded by his family and friends on March 12, 2017.
Herm was born in Ely, MN on July 25, 1953 and moved to Remer in 1989. Herm made a living driving semi-truck as either an owner/operator or company driver and was a member of the Teamsters Union. When he wasn’t driving, Herm enjoyed fishing on the pontoon, bonfires, cutting firewood, spending time with family and friends and having a few Black Labels to relax.
He was preceded in death by his father Arthur Zorman; brother, Gene, and sister Peggy Povhe.
He is survived by his wife Faye; son, Tony (Angie Brausen); daughters, Randi (Ron) Robison and Kayci Rae. Grandsons, Frank and Skippy - AKA Kaleb and Logan, and his special little buddy, Ryker; Mother Betty Ann Zorman; brothers, Sam (Marlene) Zorman, Dale (Patty) Zorman, Jack (Nancy) Zorman, Glen (Lynn) Zorman; sister, Donna Zorman, and many nieces and nephews.
Herm gifted his body to the University of Minnesota to help advance medical research.
There will be a celebration of life April 8th from 1 to 4 p.m. with a remembrance at 2 p.m. at the Pub in Remer.

Bernard J. Petrich, 83, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2017 at St. Lukes Medical Center in Duluth. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary A. Johnson, 79, of Ely, passed away at her home on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

RONALD E. PRAHL of Winton, received his Angel wings on March 15, 2017 in his home surrounded by his “girls.”
Ronnie was born in Milwaukee, WI. He spent most of his working life as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic.
He was also skilled in plumbing, heating, electrical and construction areas. He had an exceptional talent for wood crafting.
Ronnie was an avid outdoors man and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing. He will be remembered as a loving, dependable, loyal and faithful husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.
Ronnie is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Marvel, his beloved daughters, Debbie and Rhonda, granddaughter Amanda (Rick) Mitchell, grandson Ryan Jerich, great grandsons Maddux and Beau Mitchell, sister Sharon (Dallas) Geiger, nephews Darin and Kevin Geiger, niece Candy Geiger, brother-inlaw Mark Buckhardt, sons of his heart Gary Jerich and Mike Maki, many treasured friends and numerous extended family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, son Jonathan Prahl and grandson Jonathan Maki.
His body has been donated to the University of Minnesota per his wishes.
A Memorial Service in his honor will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Ely, at 2 p.m., on April 2. Memorials preferred to the family.

Burlin “Bud” Mattson, 83, passed away peacefully at home on March 17, 2017 in Rochester, MN surrounded by family. He was born in Minneapolis, MN on December 3, 1933 to parents Carl H. and Dorothy Mattson. He is proceeded in death by his parents and survived by his wife of 61 years, Janet, children: Julie Mattson (Paul) Ostrow, Tracy Mattson (Jim Strande), Jim (Kathy) and grandchildren Jordann Mattson (Josh) Crowley, Matthew Ostrow, Lauren Mattson, Christopher Mattson, Kira Strande, Emily Ostrow and Luke Mattson.
Bud grew up in south Minneapolis and attended Washburn High School. At the age of 17 he joined the US Navy and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base serving as a hospital corpsman. After being honorably discharged from the navy, he earned his GED and went on to graduate from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master’s Degree in Education. It was there that he met his beloved wife Janet. They were married on August 27, 1955 in Rochester.
For over 30 years, Bud taught English and Latin at John Marshall High School in Rochester. It wasn’t uncommon for students to line up to register for one of Bud’s classes. He significantly impacted the lives of thousands of students throughout his teaching career and kept in contact with many former students’ years after his retirement.
Bud was very active in the Rochester community serving as Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge, President of the Rochester Figure Skating Club and active in the Rochester Youth Hockey Association.
In 1984 Bud took a sabbatical from teaching. He and Jan sold their Rochester home and moved to England where they lived for nine months studying English literature and the land. Bud and Jan wanted to have a once in a life time adventure that they could reflect on when they could no longer travel. After their retirement in 1992, Bud and Jan moved north, to Ely, MN.
After the birth of his grandchildren, the retired Bud began “Camp G’pa.” Each grandchild spent time with their beloved G’pa, where they learned the love and compassion that Bud embodied. He cheered on his grandchildren at their swim meets, soccer games, tennis matches and figure skating competitions. His closet was filled with the sweatshirts from their high schools, colleges and sports teams.
Between the affectionate nicknames for his family members, pocketsful of cinnamon candies, and the endless stories he told, Bud’s legacy will live on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Bud’s extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, May 6, 1 p.m. at John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN. Visit the Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home website for celebration details. Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the North Star Sierra Club, 2327 East Franklin Avenue, Suite 1, Minneapolis, MN 55406-1024. In honor of Bud, please share “a few kind words” with others.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW Rochester MN 55901
www.ranfranzandvinefh.com

Christopher Paul Yarger, 48, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at the St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN as a result of a snowmobile accident. Chris was born on September 23, 1968 in Virginia, MN the son of LeRoy and Janice (McDowell ) Yarger.
Chris lived his first two years in Orr, MN and Camp Vermilion, his next four years in Overland Park, KS. He and his family moved to Grand Forks, ND where he graduated from Red River High School in 1987. Following high school, Chris attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and graduated in 1991 with a German teaching degree. He went back to school at Bemidji State College where he obtained a second teaching degree in Industrial Technology. Before his passing, Chris was working on obtaining his Master’s Degree at NDSU.
He worked summers during college at Camp Vermilion in Cook, MN where he was a counselor and canoe guide. Chris held teaching positions in Moose Lake, Bemidji, Port Orchard, WA, Sandstone, West Fargo, ND, and most recently in Ely, MN. He loved to ride motorcycle and snowmobile, was an excellent water-skier, kayaker and canoeist. Chris had a knack for being able to repair almost anything. He was a people person who had a great sense of humor. He could entertain his family and friends for hours. Chris loved to canoe in the Boundary Waters and roar around Voyagers National Park in his speed boat. He loved his family and friends and they loved him. There were countless hours of work and play at the family cabin on Lake Kabekona. Chris will be missed by all who knew him.
The family he leaves behind are his parents; Lee and Jan Yarger of Laporte, MN, brother; Jon Yarger of St. Louis Park, MN, two nieces; Jessica at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and Emma, St. Louis Park, MN. Several aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and numerous friends.
Visitation for Chris will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, March 24, 2017 with a prayer service held at 7:30 p.m. at the Northern Peace Funeral Home, 114 Tianna Drive, Walker, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 25, at Hope Lutheran Church in Walker, MN with a visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Rev. Matthew McWaters will officiate. Pallbearers for Chris will be Eric “Woody” Froland, Nate Sheggeby, Dennis Schultz, Mark Tokheim, Scott Richardson, and Tim Mason. Inurnment will be held at the Lakeport Cemetery, Laporte, MN at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Hope Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 506, Walker, MN 56484, Kabekona Lake Foundation, P.O. Box 8, Laporte, MN 56461-0008, and Camp Vermilion, VLM, 2555 Vermilion Camp Road, Cook, MN 55723.
Chris’ care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com.