Curtis Charles Conn, 58, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2015. Curt lived on Eagles Nest Lake in Ely, MN. He attended elementary and high school in Babbitt, MN. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Conn last month in Cape Coral, FL.
Curtis is survived by his mother, Ida Conn of Cape Coral, FL; sisters: Vicki Conn and Sherri Vaughn of Cape Coral, FL; daughter, Geri Lee (Matthew) Gruwell of Dawson, MN, five grandchildren: Brendan , Aric , Nathen , Matti and Ryker Gruwell; niece, Crystal Widrig and three nephews: Adam Vaughn, Joe and Christopher Lenius.
Funeral will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Ely United Methodist Church at 11 a.m.

Ray (David) Slogar passed away Saturday, October 24, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. He has worked and resided in Mesa, Arizona for the last 35 years, but was born in Ely and graduated with Ely Memorial High School Class of 1959.
He married Diane Lelm in Ely in 1962. His parents were Raymond and Agnes (Alar) Slogar.

Gary Lee Nelson, 59, of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at the University of Minnesota Center in Minneapolis. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Carol M. (Doney) Dollar, 54, of Afton, passed away on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Tulsa, OK. She was born Sept. 23, 1961, in Wakefield, Mich., the daughter of Richard and Ethel (Stoole) Doney.
Carol grew up in Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School in 1979. Throughout her life she moved with her military family all over the world. In 2010, she met her soul mate, Jim, and moved to Afton to be with him. Together she and Jim would spend summers in Wakefield and return home for the winter. Carol’s zeal for life was infectious. She knew what life had to offer and took advantage of every minute. Carol was an amazing friend to many and will be missed dearly by all.
She is survived by her special companion, Jim Pottebaum of Afton; her children, Jennifer (John) Williams of Wichita, Kan., Christi Morrison of Derby, Kan., Ashley Pottebaum of Oklahoma City, Erica Dollar of Milwaukee, and Nicole Dollar of Marquette, Mich.; her three brothers, Gerry (Beth) Doney of Tomaston, Conn., Gary Doney of Wakefield, and Ricky (Paula) Doney of Simsbury, Conn.; her three sisters, Cathy (Steve) Phillipson of Ironwood, Mich., Cindy (Dave) Maslanka of DePere, Wis., and Carrie (Bryon) Flohaug of Wakefield; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; and her special dog, Fluffy.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Wakefield VFW Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to your local animal shelter in honor of Carol’s love and compassion for animals.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Range Funeral Service and Crematory, Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home, of Bessemer. Condolences may be sent to rangefsi@up.net.

George Russell Swieringa, 81, of Helsinki, Finland, passed away on October 21, 2015.
George was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 12, 1934, to George and Emma Swieringa; graduated Embarrass High School and the University of Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife, Aija; daughter Wendy Swieringa-Gibson and family; daughter Kim Swieringa; daughter Lori Swieringa-Thomas and family; sons Weston Swieringa, Benjamin Swieringa; Aaron Swieringa, Justin (Sean) Jones and Tesfaye Mekbeb; granddaughters, Tori Thomas and Allison Gibson; grandsons, Nicholas Thomas and Georg Swieringa; brothers, Eugene (Monica) Swieringa, Anoka, MN; and Bruce (June) Swieringa, Tower, MN; sisters, Lorena Loushin, Ely, MN, and Beatrice (Ray) Ruoho, Prescott Valley, AZ; numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. In addition, George Swieringa cared for many foster children.
He was preceded in death by sons, George Andrew Swieringa and Brett Charles Swieringa.
Memorial services will be held at Kallio Church in Helsinki at 11:00 AM on November 7, 2015.

Mary Theresa Loushin, of Ely, passed away on Friday, November 6, 2015 at her home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Donald Crottier, 62, of Babbitt, passed away at Essentia Health- St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dennis (Denny/Den) Frank Petek, 80, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of family on October 31, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Dennis Petek, who passed after a battle with cancer 29 years prior on October 31, 1986. His younger sister, Nancy Sullivan, and parents Gertrude (Koffica) and Frank John Petek also preceded him.
He is survived by his daughters: Debra Stafford and Julie Colliton; son, Michael Petek, and grandchildren: Rachel, Dylan, Bethany, Brenna, Timothy, Mathew, Kyla, and Cynis.
Denny was born on June 19, 1935 in Ely, Minnesota. His maternal grandparents were Finnish and his paternal grandparents were Slovenian.
Black powder headaches related to mining caused his father, Frank, to relocate the family to Spokane, Washington, leaving beloved Ely, family and friends behind prior to Denny’s senior year of high school.
After graduating from North Central High School, he married Vianne West who became the mother of his four children.
He was guided to Gonzaga University by his father and was a pitcher for the Gonzaga Bulldogs Baseball team. He graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in teaching.
Denny was employed by Kaiser Aluminum and then became a teacher and athletic coach for Spokane Public Schools.
An opportunity arose and he became Alumni Director at Gonzaga University. In addition he got into contracting and became President of the Home Builders Association. He was also a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. He returned to Shadle Park High School as a history teacher and softball coach until his retirement.
He adored his mother and was always getting away with things as a little boy. He referred to himself as “Dennis the Menace.” Friends recollected him as charming, witty, handsome, and competitive, a baseball and basketball player. He was an ardent WSU Cougar football fan after watching his son Tim play. He loved outdoor adventures with his grandfather and appreciated his mother’s, aunts’, and grandmothers’ traditional Slovenian/Finnish cooking. His favorite color, blue, yet every shade of rose he enjoyed, “except red,” reminded him of his mother’s rose garden.
He made friends easily, enjoyed teasing, assigning nicknames, and laughter. He said “I regret we have not laughed enough.” He loved his family. He was a believer.
There will be a visitation at Hennessey Funeral Home on Friday, Nov. 20 from 1-4 p.m. and a Rosary at St. Anthony’s Church at 7 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Anthony’s Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, with a reception following at Knights of Columbus on Gonzaga’s Campus.
A special thank you to Care to Stay Home and Hospice of Spokane for your honesty, integrity, dignity, and gentleness.
Please visit Denny’s online memorial at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.

Leone May Hayes, 90, formerly of Winton, MN, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 16, 2015 in Bozeman, MT. She was born in Ely, MN on August 22, 1925, the only child of Oscar and Marie (Grahek) Johnson. Her father and uncles owned Johnson Brothers Fishing camp on Bayley Bay of Basswood Lake.
Here as a teenager she met the love of her life, Robert Kenneth Hayes, who was working a summer job as an assistant ranger on the Canadian side of Bayley Bay. Toward the end of WWII, Bob said goodbye to Leone and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving as a flight engineer with a Lancaster bomber crew out of England.
Leone married Leonard Pete and had a son, Russell Lee. Leonard died at age 33, and after the war Leone and Bob met again on Basswood Lake. They married in 1948 and lived briefly in Emo, Ontario before returning to Winton, MN where they lived together for over 60 years.
Family, friends and neighbors will remember Leone as a woman who was quick to smile and to lend a hand where she could. She will be missed. Leone was preceded in death by her parents, her son, and both husbands.
She is survived by daughter Aleen Marie (Ronald) Kienholz of Gallatin Gateway, MT, daughter-in-law Barbara Joan (Holdcroft) Hayes of Winton, granddaughters: Carol Lee (Scott) Magie of Park City, UT and Joan Marie (Chris) Lyon of Plymouth, MN, and great grandchildren: Brandon, Garret and Hayley Magie, and Laura, Blake and Madison Lyon.
At Leone’s request, there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers or a monetary memorial, Leone’s daughter requests that you consider a donation to the Ely Public Library or to a worthy cause in your community in Leone’s name.

Rose B. Baker, 97, Kettering, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly at her home Sunday, November 15, 2015.
Rose was born in Ely, Minnesota to Florian and Mary (Zlabir) Belehar and was the youngest of five children. She was a 1936 graduate of Ely Memorial High School and in 1939 she graduated with a degree in Business and Accounting from Ely Junior College where she took part in plays, the glee club, and the synchronized swim team. She was one of two majorettes in the Minnesota State Champion Drum and Bugle Corps. This allowed her to travel around the country performing. She appeared in a Paramount News Reel marching down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue and performing for the crowd at the opening of Soldier Field.
Rose married William W. Baker in 1942. She was a military wife, moving often, but settling in Xenia, Ohio. She co-owned and operated The Thrifty Wise Shop, was a member of The Ladies Book Club, and was a long time member and past president of the Xenia Garden Club. She also belonged to the Dayton Women’s Club and was part owner of Generations, an antique shop in Waynesville, Ohio.
Rose led a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop and was president of several PTAs. She was an avid bridge player, gardener and artist, winning awards for her flower arrangements and oil paintings.
Rose will be remembered for her independence, humility, generosity, leadership, creativity, practicality, spot on advice, and her incredible kindness and compassion for others. She was adored by her family, and is survived by her children, Mary Lou Baker Holland, of Centerville, Ohio, and William W. Baker, of Hudsonville, Michigan; five grandchildren: Christina Holland McElfresh, Jennifer Holland, Malinda Baker Pagel, Teressa Baker Geurink, Joel Baker, and two great grandchildren: Rylar Holland, and Lincoln Geurink.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bill Baker and siblings Pauline Belehar Banovitz, Mary Belehar Branwall, Joe Belehar and Christine Belehar Nichols.
The family will greet friends on Saturday, November 21 from 10-11 at St Charles Borromeo Church, 4500 Ackerman Blvd in Kettering, Ohio. Mass will follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Wounded Warrior’s Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675, or The Kettering Education Foundation, 3750 Far Hills Avenue, Kettering, Ohio 45429.

Phillip Edward Kinney, 81, of Ely, passed away in his sleep Friday, November 20, 2015. He was born in St Clair, Michigan and lived in Washburn, WI until age 12. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1952. He spent eight years in the Naval Reserve. He worked for the DMIR Railroad in Proctor until his retirement.
In 1954, he married JeanAnne Mass. While living in Duluth they had been foster parents for 18 years. At retirement they moved to Ely.
During his life he enjoyed and played country western and bluegrass music. He fully enjoyed living on Burntside Lake with JeanAnne while boating, taking naps on the deck, working with his children and grandchildren on lots of projects. He always had a twinkle in his eye when he made his family laugh.
He is survived by his wife, his son Lee Kinney, his daughters: Tracy Richards and LuAnne Bialik, and grandchildren: Karissa (Christopher) LePine, Cory (Kayla) Hansey, Cody Bialik, Ben Bialik, Brooke (Bob Z.) Richards, Kailly Richards, Ryan (Amy) Kinney, Nicholas Kinney, and several great grandchildren.
A gathering in his honor will be held Monday, November 23, from 2-4 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

Marjorie Carol (Dallmann) Rebrovich, 69, born July 21, 1946 passed away on November 18, 2015 peacefully with her family by her side. She was born in Duluth, MN, graduated from Ely HS (1964). She married Stephen Rebrovich November 20, 1965. She was generous and kind to all she met. She loved to go walleye fishing, drink beer and camp with her grandkids. She loved to slip the grandchildren cash unbeknownst to her husband. She was an avid collector of loons and Minnesota Vikings. She was known for her long hair which she donated to Locks of love.
She is preceded in death by her father Ewald.
She is survived by her mother Lucille, six siblings and her children: Bruce Kochevar, Mt Iron, MN, Connie (Troy) Mager, Lewiston, ID and Shelly (Darin) Buckholz, Liberty Lake, WA; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her celebration of life will be held at a future date.

Scott Antes, 62, of Ely, formerly of Chicago, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Leonard "Sonny" McDougall, 82, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen, MN.
Memorial Services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Naytahwaush. Time of Gathering will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with a Prayer Service led by the Ojibwe Singers beginning at 7:00, on Friday, November 27th at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Church. Inurnment will be at Samuel Memorial Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN. Online: www,andersonfamilyfh.com.

Dr. John Knott, 71, of Ely, passed away on Monday, November 30, 2015 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home with funeral services being held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Kathleen Jane “Billie” Bianco, 80, of Duluth, Minnesota, passed away November 20 in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard C. Bianco, her parents Alban and Ruth Hayes of Duluth, MN, and her sister Ruth of Boulder, Colorado.
Billie will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Full of energy, she enjoyed hiking, skiing and snowshoeing on the North Shore with her husband Dick and her family. Each of Billie’s six grandchildren enjoyed a close bond with “Grandma B,” thanks to her enthusiastic presence in their lives. She considered each a cherished blessing. Always a gracious hostess, she made both friend and stranger feel loved and welcomed. Her positivity was infectious and her smile uplifting. Grandma B was the center of joy.Born March 1, 1935 in Omaha, Nebraska, Billie grew up in Duluth, MN, and graduated from Stanbrook Hall, with a degree in Social Work from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. She and Dick moved to Silver Bay where they raised their three children. After Dick’s untimely death, she moved back to Duluth to be closer to her beloved son Danny. Her devotion to him was constant and unwavering, a mother’s touch at every turn.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Kathleen (Steve) Kraemer of St Louis Park, MN; Dr. Joseph (Dr. Mary) Bianco of Ely, MN; and Daniel of Duluth; six grandchildren: Jill, Mary, John, Amy, Erin, and Joey; brother Robert Hayes of Garden Grove, CA; sister Helen (David) Leach of Marquette, MI; brother-in-law Gary Klein of Boulder, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m., Monday, December 7, at The Church of St. Gabriel the Archangel (St. John Campus), #6 Interlachen Rd., Hopkins. Visitation 4- 6 p.m. Sunday, December 6, at Gearty-Delmore Park Chapel, 3960 Wooddale Ave S., St. Louis Park. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Duluth.
In lieu of flowers the family invites memorial contributions to CHUM, 102 W. Second Street, Duluth, MN 55802 www.chumduluth.org or Arc Northland, 424 West Superior Street, Suite 201, Duluth, MN 55802.

John B. Trucano, 82, of Virginia, passed away Tuesday, December 1, 2015 in the Virginia Care Center.
He was born on December 21, 1932 in Vermilion Lake Township to Charles and Catherine (Bracco) Trucano and grew up there.
John served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He had been a Virginia resident since 1968 and retired from U.S. Steel after 42 years of service. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Virginia. On June 14, 1969 he married Virginia Zgonc in Ely.
John was a gardener as well as an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He enjoyed visiting with Dorothy Molter, “The Root Beer Lady” and in earlier years brought supplies to her. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and he especially enjoyed attending Dante’s basketball games.
Survivors include his wife, Ginger of Virginia; daughters, Christine “Tina” Steinbrech of Solon, Iowa and Gina (Eric Josephson) Trucano of Eveleth; grandchildren, Dante Josephson and Ellea and Vincent Steinbrech; brother, Albert Trucano of Virginia; brother-in-law, Edward Woolverton of Lake Vermilion and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jim, Lawrence, Joe, Gene and Charles; sisters, Theresa, Angela, Marie, Eleanor and Katherine and his dog Zippo and his grand-dog, Rueben.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at a future date. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

Amelia “Millie” (Beuk) Blus, 102 years young, of Ely, passed away Wednesday, December 02, 2015 at Ely Bloomenson Hospital. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2015 beginning at 4:00 pm at Lakeside Manor, 1505 Pioneer Rd in Ely. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.
Millie was born on June 29, 1913 in Ely. In 1931, she graduated from Ely Memorial High School. She and her husband, Phillip, resided on Ely’s Shagawa Lake most of their lives.
She enjoyed traveling in the early years, gardening, singing, reading, going to the library, walking, visiting with friends, and reminiscing about the old times on the lake. Millie always made you smile with her jokes; you never knew what was going to come out of her mouth. She kept everyone on their toes. Her wit and humor will be missed by all.
Millie was a vibrant active lady right until the end. On her 100th birthday, she polkaed until her hearts content. Also at 100, she took her first snowmobile ride; at 101, she went ice fishing trying to catch a free walleye on the DNR; at 102, she made an appearance in Ely’s 4th of July parade, complete with a tiara. She will be terribly missed by many; including the daughter she never had, Sarah Burger; special friends, Alice Richards and Katie Sustercich, and the staff and residents at Lakeside/Spectrum Residence.
You may wonder what her secret to making it to 102 was…Living a healthy lifestyle with no drinking or smoking, simple daily vitamins, cooking in a cast iron skillet, and having a romaine lettuce salad every night with dinner. Live Life to the Fullest.
She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Phillip; sisters, Jennie, Katherine, and Sallie; brothers, Frank and Jack.

Raymond Ralph "Jiggs" Nyman, 85, passed away December 5, 2015, at his home in Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Originally from Ely, then Two Harbors, Minnesota, Jiggs was born October 28, 1930, in Ely, the son of Ralph and Marie Burley Nyman. He married Mabel Parson in 1974 in Minnesota and was a conductor for DM&IR railroad. In 1990, after 40 years of service, Jiggs retired from the railroad and moved to Mountain Home AR.

Jiggs is survived by his wife, Mabel Nyman of Mountain Home, AR; brother, Glen (Gladys) Nyman of Ely; pet dogs, Mya and Missy; nieces and nephews: Marie (Bob) Ross of Hoyt Lakes, MN, Laura Nyman of Maple Grove, MN, Robert (Mary) Nyman, Paul (Christina) Nyman and Sandra (Bob Carlson) Nyman all of Ely, and Kay (Bob) Richards of Babbitt, MN.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Nyman; sister-in-law, Peggy Nyman; and nephew, William Nyman.

Funeral Services will be held at a later date in Minnesota.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks, 701 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. Visit an online obituary and guestbook at www.kirbyandfamily.com.

Michael Houle, formerly of Ely, passed away on Thursday, December 3, 2015. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.