Molly A. Banovetz, 100, of Ely, passed away on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Joy Giblin Lenont, 66, of Eagles Nest, Ely, and Lake Vermilion, Tower, passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.

Charles Mistek, 82 years old, passed away on January 14, 2018 at Essentia-St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.
Charles was born June 1, 1935 in Ely, MN to Edward and Eleanor Mistek. He graduated from Ely High School, attended Vermilion Junior College in Ely, and served two years in the United States Army. On June 25, 1959 he married Jacquelyn Pecore and together they raised their four children.
Charles received his Bachelor’s degree in Math and Social Sciences from St. Cloud State University and earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Mankato State University. He started his teaching career by teaching Social Studies at Sauk Centre High School and he spent 10 years at St. Paul Park High School teaching math and as a Vocational Coordinator.
Charles was the Assistant Principal at Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School from 1971-1973 before he earned the position of Principal at Biwabik High School in 1973. He remained the principal with Biwabik schools until the merge with Aurora-Hoyt Lakes to form Mesabi East schools in 1987, where he fulfilled various roles including principal, math teacher, and guidance counselor until his retirement in 1994.
Charles led a very active lifestyle enjoying cross-country skiing, running, biking, and swimming. He regularly participated in triathlons and running events. Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth was a favorite. He loved being outdoors fishing, hunting, picking blueberries, tending his garden, or just toiling in his garage.
Charles was preceded in death by his son, Steven Mistek, and his parents Edward and Eleanor Mistek.
Charles is survived by his wife Jackie (Pecore) Mistek of Ely; daughters: Toni (Kevin) Fischer of North Mankato, MN, Amy Fontenot of San Antonio, TX, and Betsy Mistek of Duluth, MN; grandchildren Nick (Stephanie) Fischer, and Mollie Fischer; great-grandson Beau Fischer; sister Gloria (John) Seliga, and many more family members and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the family cabin on Echo Trail in Ely, MN on August 4, 2018 at 2 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Anthony (Tony) Vertin Sr., Cherished husband, father and grandfather. Passed away on July 21, 2018 and born on June 13, 1935 in Ely, Minnesota. He is preceded in death by his parents, Matija and Angela; siblings, Vernie Clark and Sonny Vertin; and infant grandson, Anthony Joseph Vertin III. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and their eight children: Anthony (Lori), Mary (Mark Huepful), Angela, John, Jean (John) Murphy, Matthew (Mary), Vincent and David (Chrissy), along with 19 grandchildren: David (Alyssa) and Joseph Vertin; Robert, Bridget, Angela, Edward and Reginaldo Huepful; Vincent, Elizabeth, Charles and John Murphy; Anna and Matthew Vertin; Callahan, Louis, and Lachlan Vertin; Olivia, Natalie and Penelope Vertin, as well as great-grandchildren Adeline and Ava Vertin.
Tony graduated from Ely High School in 1953 and then went on to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. While in Boston, he met Jean Callahan, his beloved wife of 60 years. Their love and devotion to each other was boundless and kept a twinkle in his blue eyes until the end.
A successful entrepreneur, Tony created his company, Ver-Tech, in 1973. As much as he enjoyed running his business, his family was his greatest joy—he delighted in encouraging his children and grandchildren, and teaching them the value of hard work. He also loved working at his cabin in Ely where he would teach the grandchildren to properly chop wood and build fires. Tony will be remembered and celebrated for his enduring strength, his unrelenting courage, his love for his family, and his steadfast faith in God.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 26 from 6-8 PM at David Lee Funeral Home, 1220 E Wayzata Blvd, in Wayzata. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, July 27 at 11:00 AM at The Church of The Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Road 24, in Medina. Private interment will be at the Ely Cemetery in Ely, Minnesota at a later date.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be designated for cancer research at Mayo Clinic. Memorials can be made online at www.mayoclinic.org/development or mailed to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.
David Lee Funeral Home

Carol A. Marshall, age 66, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Carol was born July 16, 1952 in St. Cloud to Vernon P. and Lorraine (Sobieck) Van Hale. She graduated from Cathedral High School and from St. Cloud Vocational Technical College with a degree in Marketing/Advertising. Carol married Robert K. Marshall on May 26, 1978, by Johnny B. Pleasant in Texas. They lived in Iran before moving to California.
They moved to Ely in 1990 before she moved back to St. Cloud. She started working at age 11 cleaning houses, was a secretary for seven professors at St. Cloud State University, worked for Mark’s Realty, and held multiple other positions where she excelled, including the Minnesota Department of Revenue. She retired in 2016.
Carol was a member of Sauk Rapids VFW Post #6992 Auxiliary. She enjoyed baking, cooking, shopping, entertaining, antiquing, collecting regional cookbooks and most of all driving her 1958 “Conway” Chevy. Carol was kind, generous, compassionate and loved to surprise and shower her nieces and nephews with extraordinary gifts. She was proud of her husband who had a distinguished military career and was decorated with many medals.
Survivors include her mother, Lorraine Van Hale Wagner of Sartell; sisters and brothers: Marilyn (Richard) Mohr of St. Cloud, Tom (Karen) Van Hale of Duluth, Dan Van Hale of St. Cloud, Sheila (Rod) Gruba of Ely and Louie (Shirley) Van Hale of St. Cloud; nieces and nephews, Adam (Shawntel) Gruba, Amber Van Hale, Rachel (Chris) Van Hale Henke, Andrea (Jeff) Okerstrom, Nick (Nicole) Van Hale, and Eric Gruba; great nieces and great nephews. She will be joining the love of her life in heaven, her husband, Robert; father, Vernon Van Hale; and step-father, Raymond Wagner.
A private Celebration of Life will be at a later date. Memorials are preferred to any Veteran’s organization.
Special thank you to the St. Cloud Hospital Surgical, Oncology and ICU Units for all the loving care given to Carol.

Scott Michael Hanson 55 of Eveleth died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the University of Minnesota Cardiac Care Center surrounded by family.
He was born on 07/16/1963 in Minneapolis, MN; grew up in Embarrass, MN and graduated from JFK High School-Babbitt in 1983; the Bemidji Technical College-auto body program in 1985.
Scott married AnnMarie Maddern on September 29, 1990. They resided in West Eveleth where they raised their three children, Tanner, Brock and Baylee. He loved to sing while doing chores around the house, cooking, cleaning and keeping the family cars the shiniest in town.
He worked at Spee-Dee Delivery Service-Virginia, MN for the past 19 years where his smile and personality touched many of those he delivered to in the Embarrass, Babbitt, Ely and Tower-Soudan areas. He also worked the Ken Waschke Auto Plaza-Virginia; Shakoppe Ford and Gales Auto Body-Blaine, MN.
Scott enjoyed going hunting and fishing with his sons and close friends. He was a huge sports fan of the MN Wild, MN Twins and MN Vikings; but his favorite sports were those his children were involved in. He was a dedicated figure in the Eveleth-Gilbert hockey program and was seen many days and weekends at the Hippodrome throughout his children’s youth.
Most of all, he loved his family and was extremely proud of his children. His best times were spent with family and many close friends. We are so blessed to have had him in our lives.
Scott is survived by his loving wife AnnMarie; sons Tanner, Brock and daughter Baylee all of Eveleth; parents Alvin and Sandy Hanson of Embarrass; brothers: Todd (Mary Jo) Hanson of Two Harbors, MN and Chad Hanson of Chandler, TX; sisters: Kristie (Joe) Bissonette of Mt. Iron, and Kari (Corey) Anderson of Coon Rapids, MN; father and mother-in-law Richard and Suzie Maddern of Eveleth; brother-in-laws Jim (Kris) Maddern of Victoria, MN; and Joseph Maddern of Ft. Myers, FL; sister-in-law G’na (Johnny) Tuomala of West Eveleth; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents Alfred and Isabelle Hanson, John and Fern Timm; aunt Sandra Hanson, uncles Lowell Hanson, Rudy Cardenas, Jerry Freeman and Herb Young and cousin Jeff Barsness.
A Memorial Gathering-Celebration of Life will be held on Friday August 3rd starting at 2 p.m. in the Leonidas Community Center, Leonidas-West Eveleth.

George J. Rykyto, 90, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Grandpa George served 21 years with the Minneapolis Fire Department and spent his whole life taking care of his family and friends. He lived his life as a devout Catholic, loving husband, amazing father, and the greatest Grandpa George to everyone he knew. His kindness, compassion, jokes, and smirks will truly be missed. His last wish was to grow old in Ely, and that he did.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Zembal; son and daughter-in-law, Philip & Evelyn Rykyto; and grandchildren, Samantha (Kyler) Hauschildt, Phil (Paola) Rykyto, and Wade (Hailey) Rykyto.
Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice; wife, Nancy; son-in-law, George Zembal; and brothers, Hank and Phil.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 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.

John Henry “Jack” Forthman passed away on Saturday, July 28, 2018 in San Antonio, TX. Jack was 85.
Jack served in the Navy, like his father, for four years. Following his service, Jack continued his education and earned a bachelor’s and two Master’s Degrees. He went on to teach college level psychology at San Antonio College for over 20 years. In 1997, Jack and his family moved to their lake cabin on Burntside Lake in Ely, MN.
Jack loved gourmet food and was a gourmet chef by hobby, constantly entertaining friends for dinner. He also loved Burntside Lake, classical music, woodworking, and working on his old Citron cars.
Jack is survived by his wife, Beatrice, and only child, Megan. Jack was very loved and will be missed dearly, including by his Greyhound, Jazzy. In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to either TPR (KPAC) or KLRN. A Celebration of his Life will be held for family and friends at a later date.

Beverly Rose “BeBe” Lobe, 78, of Ely, passed away Thursday, August 2, 2018 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.
Bebe was born in Ely to Stanley and Rose (Pucel) Lobe. She graduated valedictorian from Ely Memorial High School in 1958, attended the Minnesota School of Business and worked at the Duluth Clinic, Ely Medical Center, and retired from Vermilion Community College.
Bebe was an active member of the community, belonging to the Northern Lakes Arts Association, Friends of the Ely Library, Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Slovenian Women’s Union, Dawn Club and many other clubs and organizations throughout the years. Bebe enjoyed her gourmet club, birthday club, entertaining, baking special birthday cakes for her family, organizing mystery trips, traveling the world while making new friends and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her sister Mary Jo Mavetz; nieces: Connie (Pat) Coughlin of Ely, MN and their children: McKenna, Rachel, and Kate Coughlin; Kim (Doug) Sanders of El Dorado Hills, CA and their children Austin and Skyler Sanders, nephews: Ron (Carol) Mavetz Jr. of Eagan, MN and their child: Brady Mavetz, Mike (Kelly) Mavetz of Ham Lake and their children: Brooke, Morgan, and Taylor Mavetz.
Bebe was preceded in her death by her parents.
Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation an hour prior.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Beatrice M. Kolkin, 89, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Ronald Nirva, 78 of Fergus Falls died Sunday, August 5, 2018, at Sanford Health in Fargo.
Ronald John Nirva was born on August 12, 1939, in Ely, Minnesota to Uno John and Aili (Tuomala) Nirva. He attended school and graduated from Ely Memorial High School. He went on to Ely Community College for two years, and then to St. Cloud State University graduating with a degree in Recreation and Physical Health. During his high school and college years he played baseball, basketball and golf. He continued in these sports into his adult years. Ron also worked for the Ely Recreation Department, the Sibley Underground Mine, and three years with the Forest Service.
Upon graduation from college, he was employed at the Fergus Falls State Hospital, in the Recreation Department.
In 1977, he married Elizabeth Pearson and they continued to reside in Fergus Falls.
He retired from the State Hospital after thirty-nine years of service. Ron continued working as an intermittent at both the CBHH and CARE units, for a total of fifty years of service for the State of Minnesota.
He enjoyed sports, hunting and fishing, and was an avid Bridge player. One of his favorite family activities were the many camping trips, especially to the Boundary Waters, and the Itasca State Park area.
Ron loved his church and was involved on the ushering team for many years. After retiring he enjoyed playing cards at the Senior Center where he served on the board for four years and served as Vice-President. Ron loved working in his garden and especially loved and enjoyed his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Uno John and Aili Nirva; and by his two sons, Michael and Eric Nirva.
Ron is survived by his wife, Beth; their two children, Adam Nirva and Nicole Moore; grandchildren: James Nirva, Justin, Braeden and Kayla Nirva, Jadah Moore, and Addy and Lilly Tuttle.
Memorial Service: 11 a.m., Friday, August 10, 2018, at Destiny Church of rural Ashby.
Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a Prayer Service at 6 PM, at the funeral home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Clergy: Reverend Steve Quernemoen
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery in Fergus Falls.
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson of Fergus Falls.
Condolences:GlendeNilson.Com

Marydel Marolt, 90, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Carefree Living in Babbitt. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt with visitation one hour prior. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Kenneth M. Evenstad, 78, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018 at his residence. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held at the church one hour prior to the service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Kent Charles VandenBranden, 61, of Ely, passed away Tuesday, August 14th, at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN after a brutal 18 month battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Linda (Enquist) and his little guy Frankels, brothers Keith (Anita), Kurt (Kate), Kraig (Dena), and sister Kay Cesarek (David), brother and sister in law Ed and Lynne Enquist, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Elaine, brothers Karl and Kris, and his in laws, George and Helen. A celebration of life will be held at the Enquist family cabin on Burntside on September 2. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester are preferred.

David A. Krikorian, 64, of Ely and Orlando, Florida passed away at his home in Ely on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Jack Jensen, 80, of LaMoure, ND, formerly of Ely and Tower, MN, passed away August 15, 2018 at St. Rose Care Center, LaMoure.
Jack Martin, son of Chet and Martina (Panian) Jensen was born and raised in lake country in northern Minnesota. It was there he learned his love of the outdoors. Hunting was a passion he especially enjoyed with his friend Roger Raduenz. Jack’s love of fishing led to guiding fishermen for Bowser’s Resort at Crane Lake. This also led to guiding friends on canoe trips in the Quetico canoe area in Canada. Jack and Linda enjoyed doing this together for several years. They were also famous for the fish fry’s they hosted at their cabin for family and their Sandpoint friends. Jack discovered another passion when he began his career as a 6th grade teacher in Ely, MN. He also taught drivers ed and coached the Ely Wolves in three winning seasons.
Jack lived his life to the fullest and enjoyed his family and friends, sharing his love of the outdoors and skills with anyone who spent time with him. We miss him so much, but know that he is fishing the heavenly lakes with those who have gone before him to get the boat ready.
He is survived by his wife Linda; daughter Jackie (Fred) Moen; son David (Wendy) Jensen; stepson Jeremy John; sister Judy Cashian; father-in-law Vernon Sandness; grandchildren Leah and Kasey Phifer, and Michela, Jake and Justin Jensen; step grandchildren Kati, Megan and Nick Moen; and step great granddaughter Lily. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Carmen (Greg) Solberg, Jackie (Jerry) Tostenson; brothers-in-law, Stuart (Linda) Sandness, Eugene (Monica) Sandness, Greg (Deb) Sandness, Robert (Michele) Sandness and Jay (Sherie Dorzak) Sandness; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Jack will be held on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church, LaMoure, North Dakota, with Reverend Ryan Jerome officiating.
A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held in Ely on Wednesday, August 29th from 4:00 to 8:00 with stories shared at 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Ely Lodge, 400 North Pioneer Road in Ely.
Family prefers memorials be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley or St. Rose Care Center.
If you’d like to send condolences to the family you may sign the guestbook online at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com or Linda’s address is P.O. Box 331, LaMoure, ND 58458.
Dahlstrom Funeral Home in LaMoure is handling the arrangements.

Joan (Buccowich) Donahue, 82, passed away peacefully at Casa Adobes Memory Care, Tucson, AZ on Friday, August 23, 2018. Joanie was born to John and Joan Buccowich on July 16, 1936.
After graduation from Ely Memorial High School in 1954, she attended and graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Medical Technology. She had retired from a career with the State of Wisconsin.
She is survived by her sister Kathy (George) Nieman of Ely. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Donahue, her parents and many loving aunts and uncles. Memorial services will be held in Pewaukee, WI.

George J. Rykyto, 90, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Grandpa George served 21 years with the Minneapolis Fire Department and spent his whole life taking care of his family and friends. He lived his life as a devout Catholic, loving husband, amazing father, and the greatest Grandpa George to everyone he knew. His kindness, compassion, jokes, and smirks will truly be missed. His last wish was to grow old in Ely, and that he did.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Zembal; son and daughter-in-law, Philip & Evelyn Rykyto; and grandchildren, Samantha (Kyler) Hauschildt, Phil (Paola) Rykyto, and Wade (Hailey) Rykyto.
Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice; wife, Nancy; son-in-law, George Zembal; and brothers, Hank and Phil.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 4, 2018 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.

Robert Oscar Mattila, 87, of Ely, passed away at home on August 28, 2018. He was born in Ely on Feb. 20, 1931.
He was married to Joyce (Moats) Mattila for 64 years.
Bob enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Burntside Lake and was a former member of the Burntside Power Association. He worked at Reserve Mining in Babbitt. Bob and Joyce were active members of the Ely United Methodist Church for many years.
He is survived by his wife Joyce; children DeAnn (Wesley) Birdsong, Michelle (Mark) Posch, Bryan (Michele) Mattila and Darren (Christine) Mattila; sister Judy Strezishar of Aurora, CO; brother in law Arthur Moats of Ely; eleven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvia (Hill) and George Mattila; brothers: George, Chuck, Hank, Donny and David; and grandson Aaron Birdsong.
The funeral service will be held at the Ely United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 2, 2018 with family visitation starting at 1:30 p.m.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Verna Mae (McLaughlin) Peterson, 93, died Thursday August 30 at her home in Carefree Living. She was born in Ely to Paul and Hilma (Perttula) McLaughlin on March 3, 1925. She attended Ely schools and on September 19, 1944 she married the love of her life William Daniel Peterson. Together they raised their six children at their home in Winton. Verna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents, brothers: Thomas, Leonard, Wilfred, Robert, sisters: Mildred Salminen and Myrtle Kangas, and great-grandson Noah.
She is survived by her six children, Susan Jean (John) Franklin of Chicago, Daniel of Winton, Paula (Nick) Mattila of Ely, Peggy (Bob) Koschak of Fall Lake, Jim (Sue) of Fall Lake, and Clyde (Karin) of Ely; grandchildren: Nicole Maryn of Ramsey, MN, Kelly Cole of Otsego, MN, Justin Koschak of Virginia, Melissa Chapman of Big Lake, AK, Bill Peterson of St Paul, MN, Carlye McKinsey of San Francisco, CA, Jared Peterson of Kansas City, MO, Linnea Held of Forest Grove, OR, and Eric Peterson of Ely; 10 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 915 E. Camp Street, Ely at 2 p.m. Saturday September 1 with Pastor Jonathan Varns officiating. A private inurnment is planned for a later date. Funeral arrangements are through Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.