January 27, 2018, 8:22 am
John G. “Bud” Holmstrom, 90, of Babbitt, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital.
He was born May 21, 1927 in Greaney, Minnesota to Oscar and Bessie (Paulson) Holmstrom. Bud attended Orr High School and Duluth Vocational Institute. He served in the US Army at the end of World War ll, 1945-47, in Korea and again in Korea from 1950-51 in active duty.
Bud married Jeanne Novak December 26, 1953 and they were married 64 years. They resided in Babbitt since 1959.
Following his military service he worked for several mining companies on the Iron Range. In 1955 he was employed by Reserve Mining Company and became a Foreman retiring in 1986.
Bud was a member of the St. Pius X Catholic Church of Babbitt, Maki-Pinola American Legion Post 535 and VFW Post 1539 of Babbitt, and was a former Respite Care Volunteer.
Bud was a great “Homestead Days” story teller. He enjoyed the outdoors hunting, fishing, 4-wheeling and family gatherings at his Greaney farm.
Bud is survived by wife Jeanne; son John II “Jack” (Cindy); daughters Deb Holmstrom, Diane (Lynn) Huseby; sister Doris Brunette; sister-in-law Arlene Novak; grandchildren Jamie (Andy) Linden, Dr. Jennifer (Jon) Hovey, Dr. Jeana (Brenan) Collins, John Homstrom lll, William Holmstrom, Nicholas Funk; nephew Glenn (Sally) Goski.
He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Ida Goski, Dolly Boyer; son Ned Christopher Holmstrom.
Memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 3, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, in Babbitt with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Fr. William Skarich will be the celebrant. Military Honors will be accorded by the Babbitt Color Guard. Spring burial will be in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.
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January 29, 2018, 10:55 am
Michael Erzar, 59, of McGrew Nebraska, is resting in the arms of our Lord, January 17, 2018.
Mike was born July 8, 1958 in Ely, Minnesota to Frank Erzar and Diane Durelle.
Mike was a self taught guitar player who loved nothing more than to jam with his friends. As a Glenrock resident in the ’80s he worked for the Glenrock Coal Company. While living in Ronald, WA in 1991, Mike and his truck had an appearance on the TV show “Northern Exposure”.
He will be missed by all and we will miss his infectious smile.
Mike is survived by his mother, Diane “Dee” Lounsberry, sisters Marcy (Greg) Clement, Toni (Mitch) Muzzey, brothers Frank Erzar, Tim (Raynel) Erzar, Bill (Karen) Lounsberry, and Terry (Anie) Lounsberry. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. His Uncle Dave Durelle, dear friends that are family, Kassia Atkinson, Amber George, Bill England and Scotty Mack. And his dog, Lucky.
Mike was proceeded in death by his father, Frank Erzar and stepfather, Ev Lounsberry.
Family services will be held June 14 and friends are encouraged to have a jam session in his honor.
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January 30, 2018, 5:19 pm
Eleanor Anderson, 89, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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January 31, 2018, 1:09 pm
Leona Stewart, 87, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 2, 2018, 11:53 am
Claude David Kronfuss, 68, peacefully passed away on January 30, 2018, at his home in Bozeman, MT. He was born on October 27, 1949, to Denis and Carol Kronfuss. Claude is the second oldest of 12 children in the Kronfuss family. He is preceded in death by his father, Denis and his ex-wife, Evelyn.
Claude grew up in Babbitt, Minnesota, graduating from JFK High School, class of ‘68. Shortly after graduation, he was in a tragic accident that left him physically and mentally impaired. Despite his disabilities, he loved life, was always positive and never complained. He was famous for telling jokes, beating most everyone in Chess and Checkers, and playing 500 Rummy at a “professional” level. Claude was very proud of his job with the City of Babbitt and prominently displayed his Years of Service Award. He was a member of St. Pius Catholic Church, faithfully attending Mass most every Sunday.
Claude is survived by his daughter, Amanda, his grandchildren, Janessa and Tyler, his great grandchild, Bentley, his mother Carol Kronfuss and his six brothers and five sisters.
Funeral services are planned for June 2018 in Babbitt, Minnesota.
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February 3, 2018, 6:04 am
Hazel Miller, 91, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 5, 2018, 2:41 pm
Rose M. Marsyla, 86, of Virginia,, formerly of Babbitt passed away Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Virginia Care Center.
She was born on July 1, 1931 in Genoa, Minnesota to John and Kristine (Meglen) Ferkul. She was raised in Genoa; then moved to Gilbert as a young girl and graduated from the Gilbert High School.
Rose was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt.
Survivors include two daughters, Lynne (David) Sherman of Babbitt and Nancy (Donald) Doll of Bovey; one granddaughter, Amanda (Alexander) Castro of Marshall, MN; and one brother, John Ferkul of Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Allan Marsyla; and sister Christine.
Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt with Rev. Fr. Bill Skarich as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Spring burial will be in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
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February 9, 2018, 11:22 am
Lance Joseph Novak, 37 ,of Cloquet, MN died Tuesday, February 6, 2018. He was born in Ely to James and Mary (Vonwald) Novak.
Lance was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Novak. He is survived by his wife, Janessa and their girls, McKenna and Helen of Cloquet; his father, James Novak of Babbitt; brother, Aaron (Tara) Novak of Wichita, KS.
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February 11, 2018, 9:53 am
Delbert “Bud” Fish, 82, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at St. Raphael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Eveleth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 11, 2018, 9:54 am
Charles Lekatz, 79, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 13, 2018, 11:11 am
June Marie Grebenc, 93, of Sioux City, formerly Ely, MN, died Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Matney Nursing Home, So. Sioux City, NE.
June was the daughter of Matt and Mary (Likar) Indihar, born June 17, 1924 in Ely. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in Ely. On May 5, 1941 June was united in marriage with Edward Grebenc in Ely. June worked as a Technician (surgery supply) for Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital in Ely before retiring after many years of service to the hospital. She continued to live in
Ely after Edward’s death in 1991. June moved to Sioux City in 2000 to be close to her daughter.
June is a member of St. Michael Catholic Church of the Holy Cross Parish in Sioux City.
June is survived by her daughter Shari Monckton of Sioux City, Iowa.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Edward; daughter Mary Lue Grebenc.
No services are planned. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery later this month.
On-line condolences can be left for the family at www.christysmith.com
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February 13, 2018, 11:14 am
Leora (PeeWee) Poppler, 92, of Babbitt, died Feb. 8. She was born March 12,1925. She is survived by her sons: Jack, Don and Doug (of Ely); and daughters Diane, Jean and Joan; many grandchildren including Nathan Poppler of Ely. Services have already been held.
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February 13, 2018, 6:01 pm
Marvin Jonas, 92, of Ely passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Essentia Health- Virginia. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 15, 2018, 4:07 am
Sally Mae Davidson, 102, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 15, 2018, 9:13 am
Charles “Charlie” Michael Lekatz, born, May 7, 1938 and passed away on Saturday, February 10, 2018. He was born in Minnesota and loved fishing and hunting as a boy. He enlisted in the Navy and moved to San Diego where he and his wife Mary Kathryn “Kathy” made a home with their two daughters. He worked at NASSCO for many years. Charlie loved coaching softball and was a coach to both his girls’ teams for many years.
He was in recovery and had several decades of sobriety. He was very, very proud of that. He spent many years helping others and at one time had a house in Imperial Valley, CA where he helped several men gain their sobriety. These men were able to live there while Charlie helped them with their steps to get their lives in order.
Charlie was a very giving man and had a wonderful sense of humor. He longed for the fishing and hunting so he moved back to Ely, Minnesota. Charlie had lots of wisdom and always had a good joke to share. He loved helping people and he will be missed by many.
He is survived by his daughters: Ellen Lekatz and Jenny Pietila; granddaughter Mary Lekatz and grandsons Brandon and Dillon Pietila of San Diego, CA as well as his brother Carl Lekatz of Ely and sister Paulette (Ed) Hendrickson-Oja of Elk River, MN and many nieces and nephews and friends.
Charlie’s mottos: One Day at a Time - Let’s Go Fishing! - Time for a fish fry!
Please contact Ellen Lekatz for more information. Lekatz1@yahoo.com.
Family arrangements provided by Kerntz Funeral Home.
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February 17, 2018, 5:45 am
Stephan Schally, 80, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 21, 2018, 7:44 am
Todd W. Bergerson, 55, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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February 22, 2018, 10:21 am
Royleen Marie Tipton passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018 at her home in Hot Springs Village, AR. She was born in Kalamazoo MI on May 31, 1945.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Kathleen (Tolle) Tipton.
Royleen demonstrated leadership, strength, a love for life and all it entailed. She graduated from Illinois State University in 1967 and began a very successful career as a teacher, coach, Athletic Director and Department Chairperson in Maine Township District 207. Her 33-year career consisted of many memorable events including the development of an outstanding physical education curriculum, with a strong staff of teachers and activities to meet the needs of all students. She was inducted into the Maine West Coaches Hall of Fame and the Illinois State Athletic Hall of Fame.
After arriving in Ely, Minnesota, she found the perfect place to spend summers, where she pursued her love of travel, spent hours devoted to biking, hiked and fished. When her lifetime love for golf ignited, she joined the Ely Golf Club where she was an active member of the Golf Board. The ladies league was where she used her talents as a golf teacher, rules interpreter for the group and their first-place golfer several years in a row. The junior golf program benefited from her generosity by purchasing youth club sets, building a chip and pitch practice area, and other materials for the club. She will be remembered for the countless clinics and lessons she so willingly gave.
Royleen spent her retirement years battling Chordoma Cancer. Her fierce fight against all odds allowed her to play golf, ride her motorcycle and give hope, love and many blessings to all those she encountered.
A Celebration of Life was held Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Christ of the Hills United Methodist Church in Hot Springs Village, AR with Rev. Patti Butler officiating. Memorial Contributions may be made to The Chordoma Foundation, Essentia East Range Hospice or Arkansas Hospice.
A second Celebration of Life will be held in Ely, Minnesota in May.
Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com
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February 22, 2018, 1:37 pm
Patricia A. (Koschak) Deyak, 82, of Ely, passed away on February 22, 2018 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
Patricia was born on January 17, 1936 to John and Theresa (Ferderber) Koschak in Ely. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1954. Pat was married to Edward C. Deyak on September 6, 1958.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Theresa Fink and John Koschak.
Patricia is survived by her daughter Renee (Todd) Thompson of Wyoming, MN and their children, Christian, Hunter and Emily; her son Edward “Bill” (Kimberly) Deyak of Ely, and their children, Edward, Marissa and Thomas; as well as her sister, Veronica Koschak.
Pat worked for many years in the insurance department at the Ely Clinic. She was also a hand-writer at Irresistible Ink, Inc. Pat enjoyed keeping busy at home, and occasional trips to Fortune Bay. She also enjoyed blueberry picking in the summertime. She was very proud of her grandchildren and enjoyed time spent with them. Pat was a loving and caring mother and grandmother. She was much loved and will be missed by many friends and relatives.
A Catholic mass and burial will take place in the Spring.
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February 24, 2018, 5:01 am
Carl Blair, of Ely, passed away on Friday, February 23, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
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