Earl Ahlstrand, 84, of Ely, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019 at his residence, Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Grover Rhoades Jr., 90, of Ely, passed away at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely on Friday, September 20, 2019. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Erling D. Kirkman, 87, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Earl Ahlstrand, 84, of Ely, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2019 at his residence, Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Walter A. Fendt, 87, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Virginia Harger, 83, of Ely, died Monday, September 23, 2019 at Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Grover Rhoades Jr., age 90, of Ely passed away on Sept. 20, 2019 of heart failure.
Jr. is survived by his wife JoAnn, daughter Cinda and son-in-law Mike; two granddaughters, one great-granddaughter, four stepchildren, 13 step-grandchildren, and 17 step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, his son-in-law and sister.
Jr. was born on January 17, 1929 in Ohio. He served in the Marines in California and returned to Ohio in 1953 to work on the family farm.
Jr. married JoAnn in 1989 and they had 30 happy years working and enjoying life together.
He was an active man who was deeply involved in his work, that included cutting wood, working at resorts. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, wood working and making furniture.
His family and friends will always remember Jr. as a good man who enjoyed helping other people.
Jr. always looked forward to fishing opener so he could visit with the many friends he met over the years when he worked at Superior Forest Lodge and Timber Trail Lodge.
There will be no services at Jr.’s request.
The family would like to thank Dr. Schwinghamer, East Range Hospice, Boundary Waters Care Center and Jim Woods for all the loving care they gave to Jr.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Judith S. “Judy” Ravlin, age 75, passed away September 18, 2019.
She was born in Ely, Minnesota on May 12, 1944 to the late Joseph and Angela (Jasper) Godec. Judy retired from Internal Medical Associates and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Judy is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry Ravlin; children, Renae Thompson (Wade), Phil Ravlin (Marla), Connie Lauvetz (Larry) and Nicole Browning (Mike); siblings, Phyllis Petrick (Robert) and Fred Godec (Charlotte); 11 grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends.

Theodore R. "Ted" Bergstrom, age 89, of Oak Park Heights Passed away September 14th, 2019 from heart complications. He is survived by his wife Theodocia (Teddy); five children, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild: John & Nancy; Carl with Briana, Haley & Woody; Bill & Bev with Natalie & Drew; Karen (Bergstrom) & David Hewes with Jacob & Ashley with Eddie, Nate & Kara, and Caitlin; Ann (Bergstrom) & Matt Lind with Bjorn. Born August 22, 1930 in Chicago, IL, Ted attended Colorado School of Mines on a football scholarship to pursue a metallurgical engineering degree. While at a college dance he met a woman named Theodocia, who upon learning their common names and mutual values, felt destined to be together for life. They married on June 12, 1954 the day after she graduated, and then served in the Navy until 1957. After military service, they moved to Spokane Washington where he worked for Boeing as the lead engineer on the Dyna-Soar project, the precursor to today's space shuttle. During his time at Boeing, they had four children and he obtained his masters in metallurgical engineering. Despite their busy schedule, they made time to enjoy the outdoors and travel with their growing family. After Boeing, Ted moved to Minnesota to work for 3M in the central research lab with metals. In 1973, he developed and filed a patent on the C-shaped fireplace grate which used the fire's heat to recirculate air back into the room for energy conservation. That passion led him to start a company named Thermograte which he ran until 1983. During his career he published several papers and filed and was granted more than 14 patents, domestically and internationally. An avid handball player for more than 50 years, Ted loved the sport as it was a great way to stay fit and have fun. He continued to play until three days before he died. During his handball career he won state titles in doubles and singles more than 10 times and national doubles championships twice, both in 2010 and 2011 at 80 and 81 years of age. He also shared his love of the game by teaching handball at the U of M into his 80s, and chuckled when students complained that an old man beat them. Ted enjoyed spending time with his family and sharing his love of the outdoors and hunting and fishing. He was a super fan of his grandchildren's sports, and the Wild, Twins and Vikings. He and Teddy built a log cabin in Ely, MN where they lived six months out of the year for more than 20 years and shared their love of the north woods with family and many friends. Ted recently finished his memoirs which he titled The Long Lucky Life of Ted Bergstrom , now available on Amazon via Kindle or paperback. He will be remembered for his faith, family, zest for life, love of nature and genuine interest in others and the communities in which he lived. A celebration of Ted's life will be held from 4-7 p.m. (service at 5 p.m.) on September 30, 2019 at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to YMCA Camp Du Nord, Shriner's Hospital or St. Jude's Children Hospital. 651-439-5511

James R. Sutherland, 70, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2019 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Kenneth Townsend Sanders, 80, passed away Monday, September 23, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center.

Ken is survived by his three sons, Michael (and Becky) Sanders, Mark Sanders, and Matt (and Beth) Sanders; twelve grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and dear friends of his later years in the Ely area. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Born in Greer, South Carolina and raised in Livonia, Michigan, the son of Hubert and Irene Sanders, Ken was a long-time resident of the states of Michigan and Minnesota.

Ken served in the U.S. Air Force for five years and later worked as a millwright at Ford Motor Company until his retirement. He relocated to Ely, MN in 1989.

Ken enjoyed interaction with family, friends and nature. Ken loved to learn and never hesitated to give a try at something new, whether it was chess, guitar and banjo playing, or his lifelong passion – fishing. His positive outlook on life shone through many life challenges. He treasured his friends in Ely. Ken was attended the Ledgerock Community Church.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2019, at 1:00 P.M. at Ledgerock Community Church of Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely

Harvey L. Hvezda III, 52, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 in Ely. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019, starting at 1:00 P.M. at Veteran's on the Lake. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

On Thursday, September 26, 2019, Helen Joyce (Hayes) Clark, of Auburn, GA, loving wife and mother of four children, graduated this life and ascended into the arms of her Divine Father. Helen was 85 years old.
Helen was born at home on November 7, 1933 in Cloquet, MN. She was the youngest daughter of Clarence and Eva (Pigman) Hayes. She received her diploma in nursing from St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Duluth, MN, in the spring of 1954. In the fall of 1954, she married Phillip S. Clark. Together they raised two daughters, Connie and Jan, both RNs- following in their mother’s footsteps. And two sons, Patrick and Curtis who passed away unexpectedly in 1973.
Helen had a passion for music. She served as the church pianist and organist at the Babbitt Baptist Church in Babbitt, MN, for 25 years. She also played the French horn for Cloquet High School Orchestra and Marching Band. Due to Alzheimer’s disease, she was no longer able to play her beloved instruments but would keep time to music, tapping away to her favorite hymns played on her Alexa device. Helen was known for her infectious smile and her kind, compassionate spirit.
She is survived by her husband Phillip, daughter Connie (husband Glenn) Harle of Hibbing, MN, daughter Jan of Ellijay, GA, granddaughter Dr. Marissa (husband Dr. Nicholas McCann) Harle of Minneapolis, MN, grandson Patrick (wife Brooke) Harle, great grandchildren, Oliver and Elsie of Hibbing, MN, nieces and nephews, and friends.
Helen is reunited in death with her father, Clarence, and her mother Eva. Her brother Del and sisters Evelyn and Marian and her two sons, Patrick and Curtis.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 at 11 o’clock a.m. at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, 3481 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford, GA 30519.
Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Helen at hamiltonmillchapel.com

Charlotte May Copija, age 77, of Rice Lake, WI died Sunday, September 29, 2019 at The Neighbors of Dunn County, WI.
She was born on September 20, 1942 in Ely, Minnesota to Charles and Mollie (Lah) Tisovich. Charlotte graduated from the Ely High School and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. She was married to Michael “Mickey” Copija on July 1, 1972 in Rusk County, WI. Charlotte taught High School and Elementary Physical Education in Minnesota and then in Rice Lake for over 30 years. She enjoyed going to the casino, watching TV, traveling and polka dancing with Mickey.
She is survived by 2 daughters and son-in-law, Michelle Copija (John Gasior) of Rice Lake and Heather & Ryan Klanderman of Menomonie, WI; a granddaughter, Hailey Klanderman of Menomonie; a brother, Jim (Regina) Tisovich of Maple Grove, MN; 2 nieces; many friends and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael “Mickey” Copija; and her parents, Charles and Mollie Tisovich.
Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Friday, October 4, 2019 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to start a scholarship fund in Charlotte’s memory.

Alberta Shirley Olson

Born just three days after the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, Alberta Shirley Olson passed away in her home in Ely, Minnesota in the early morning hours of September 14, 2019 in the company of her daughter Diane and youngest son David. In her later years, she had two goals: to live past 100 and to never move out of the home she so loved. She accomplished both.

Alberta was born to Mary Louise (Perrault) Snell and Albert Roger Snell in Brainerd, MN on November 14, 1918. She grew up in Parkville, MN and was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in Virginia, MN. She also attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN. She married Arthur Norman Olson in 1940. During World War II, Alberta joined the Women’s Army Corps and served as a surgical nurse at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO while her husband served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific. After the war they lived in Virginia, MN where all her children were born. In 1962 the family moved to Citrus Heights, CA when most of the mines on the Range shut down.

In 1980 Alberta returned to Minnesota and settled in Ely to be near her sister Marguerite Hogan. She was a faithful parishioner of Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church and worshiped there for nearly 40 years. As a member of the Ely Watercolor Club she exhibited in their annual shows. Another of her favorite pastimes was hiking the northern Minnesota woods where she delighted in the wildlife, plants and flowers, picking berries, Fall foliage and sunsets over the abundant lakes. She was a familiar sight walking through town visiting friends, the library, the Senior Center and doing her grocery shopping. After purchasing her own home in 2002, she enjoyed her flower gardens, feeding and watching all her bird visitors and spoiling the chipmunk who lived in her yard. Alberta was an avid reader and master crossword puzzle solver which she continued to past 100.

Alberta is survived by her children Diane Olson (Harry) Avila (Fairfax, VA); Danny (Christina) Olson (Pollock Pines, CA); and David (Robyn) Olson (Ely, MN) and daughter-in-law Shirley (Dennis) Olson (Britt, MN). In addition she leaves behind grandchildren Kyle Olson (Britt, MN); Keith (Diana) Olson (Finlayson, MN); Kevin (Gina) Olson (Bemidji, MN); Daniele (Tho Nguyen) Avila (Washington, DC); Jonathan (Jessica) Avila (Austin, TX); Alexander Avila (Fairfax, VA); Christopher Olson (Placerville, CA); Robin Olson (Orangeville, CA); Faith Olson (Pollock Pines, CA); Jenny German-Olson (Sacramento, CA); John (Kayla) Olson (Camino, CA); Jackie (Steve) Crawford (Pollock Pines, CA); Alyssa Riley (Placerville, CA); Taylor Epley (Sacramento, CA) and great grandchildren Hanna, Heather and Hunter Olson (Bemidji, MN); Jesse and Josey Olson (Finlayson, MN); Soren and Julien Nguyen (Washington, DC); Login Wells and Evan Crawford (Pollock Pines, CA) and James and Benjamin Riley (Placerville, CA) along with great, great granddaughter Myla Zuehlke (Bemidji, MN). Almost like her own children were nieces Kevin Hogan (White Bear Lake, MN) and Michele (Timothy Deyak) Hogan (N. Bethesda, MD) who did much to make her life comfortable and happy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Arthur Norman Olson (Duluth, MN); brother Leonard Snell (Parkville,MN); sister Marguerite Snell (Robert) Hogan (Ely, MN); oldest son Dennis Olson (Britt, MN) and daughter-in-law Christina Olson (Pollack Pines, CA).

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Ely, MN on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow mass at the church. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, Virginia, MN is planned for the Spring.

Caroline Anderson, 88, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Caroline Marie Anderson “Big Ma”, 88, Ely, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2019, at the Boundary Waters Care Center surrounded by her loving family.

Caroline was born on March 12, 1931, in Ely, Minnesota to Joseph and Ethel Klobuchar. She later graduated from Virginia High School in 1949.

She married William Andrew Anderson of Ely on November 19, 1949, in Ely, Minnesota.

Caroline was a stay at home mother until the youngest of their 11 children entered the Ely School District. She then worked for the school district in a variety of positions, including the lunchroom, a custodial position in the former JFK school building and a secretary to the high school counselor before retiring in the early 1990s. She especially enjoyed the secretarial job as she forged many great friendships with the students and took great pleasure in seeing the success they would later enjoy.

Caroline loved spending time with family and friends. She also loved taking in countless sporting events, including hockey, basketball, football, baseball and tennis, that her children were involved with for the better part of 30 plus years. To say she was a staunch supporter of the Ely Timberwolves would be a big understatement!

Both Caroline and Bill would always put their children first, and because of that, they did not always have time to enjoy their own lives together. It was all about the kids and later the grandkids— but that is where they gleaned the most joy from, and they would not have changed a thing.

However, there were times when raising that many children weighed on Caroline and that was evident when one of the 11 kids would ask where she was going and she would snap back, “Crazy! Do you want to come?”

Caroline loved getting together for gatherings at the family cabin on Burntside. She welcomed anyone and everyone to stop in for a bite to eat or a beverage to enjoy on a warm summer day or a cool fall evening. She was one to always take care of the needs of others before herself and that was one attribute her family and friends admired most about her. Her kids particularly enjoyed Sunday nights when she would make homemade bread and hot cocoa—we we’re loved.

Caroline also felt blessed during the holidays, especially Christmas when everyone made it home. We were in awe of her as she wrapped presents, wrote Christmas cards, baked cookies and still found time to make potica to have on Christmas morning. Caroline’s kids and grandkids looked forward to eating her homemade meals.

Caroline never had a sister, but she had wonderful circles of friends that she cherished with all of her heart. She found her sisters in all of them and once you were a friend you were a friend for life.

She also enjoyed taking part in many social activities in both Ely and Virginia. Those affiliations included: the Women’s Life Insurance Society; General Federation of Women’s Club Projects; Delta Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi; the Red Hat Society; Meals on Wheels; Ely Business Women’s Organization; Secretary/Treasurer of AFSME; and Secretary/Treasurer of Indian Education for the Ely School District. She was also a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Ely and Gethsemane Lutheran Church of Virginia and participated in the Salome and Priscella Circle of those respective churches. She was a proud member of the Virginia Class of 49.

Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ethel Klobuchar, her father and mother-in-law, John and Mary Anderson; her husband, William; son, William; grandson, Joseph William; brothers, Harry, Kennard and John; sister-in-laws, Lorraine, Judy and Sharon Klobuchar; Norma Johnson; Eleanor Anderson; brother-in-laws, Bud Johnson and John Anderson; along with numerous very special aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her brother, Jerry of Burlington, Wisconsin; daughters, Sue Ellen (Kim) Kainz of Ely and Cheryl (Mike) Moats of Larimore, North Dakota; eight sons, Mick (Sandy) of Tower; Dave (Stephanie) of Ely; Steve (Michele) of Soudan; Terry (Sally) of Soudan; Jeffrey (Janice) of Marinette, Wisconsin; Timmy of Ely; Thomas (Tracey) of Virginia and Brian (Terri) of Hibbing. They all had nicknames so you might better remember them as Lone Wolf, Clyde, Eens, Susie Q, Bear Hunter, Fresh, Uncle T, Tago, Toot and Spoon.

She is also survived by 35 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and two great, great-grandchildren and many special cousins.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. The wake will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, October 10th.

Visitation will continue on Friday, October 11th at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. service at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Pastor Eric Thiele from the Grace Lutheran Church will officiate. Luncheon will follow in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church basement.

A private family burial will follow at the Ely Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at the Boundary Water Care Center and Ely Hospice for their compassion, love, and support during Caroline’s journey home to God.

James J. Mehle Sr., 76, of Hibbing passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at Fairview Range Medical Center. He was born on December 18, 1942 to John and Frances (Mikolich) Mehle in Ely. He was a 1961 graduate of the Ely Memorial High School. After graduating, Jim served in the U.S. Army as Sergeant and was once stationed in Germany. While on leave, he had the opportunity to visit relatives and the ancestral family home of his grandfather, Johan, in Slovenia. Jim had a 33-year career with Eveleth Taconite and retired in 1998. Jim was united in marriage to Donna Mehle on May 9, 1999.

Jim enjoyed spending time with family, being outdoors, and watching wildlife. He was an avid fisherman and loved to go camping and hunting. Jim was also very skilled in carpentry, plumbing, and completing many remodeling projects in his homes over the years. He was very proud to have taken the time to make sure everything was perfectly level and square. Jim’s great sense of humor and quick wittedness will be greatly missed by family, friends, and acquaintances.

Jim is survived by his children, James (Jill) Mehle Jr. of Otsego, MN, Paul (Jolene) Mehle of Lakeville, MN, Pam (Jason) Liestman of Becker, MN, and Christy (Andy) Berndt of St. Michael, MN; stepchildren, Christy (Christopher) Peterson, and Michael Tuomi; siblings, Michael (Jan) Mehle of Minnetonka, MN, and Robert (Jayme) Mehle, Maple Grove, MN; grandchildren, Jamae (Bill) Halluska, Justine Mehle, Mikayla Mehle, Matt (Brittany) Mehle, Garrett Mehle, Mari Liestman, Jacob Liestman, Jayna Berndt, Griffin Berndt, and Jace Berndt; great-grandchildren, Billy, Presley, Josephine, Daweslyn, Brooklyn, and Parker; step grandchildren, RayAnna Peterson, Kaitlyn Peterson, and Logan Peterson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Frances; wife, Donna; siblings, Rosemary (Jim) Hill, Ray (Val) Mehle, and two infant sisters.

A Celebration of Life open-house gathering will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 3-5 p.m. at the Grand Ely Lodge in Ely, MN. Memorials may be sent c/o Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing, MN.

To leave an online message of condolence, please visit us at
www.doughertyofhibbing.com.

Margaret Jean (Peg) Asplund, age 93, departed this world from Solvay Hospice House in Duluth on Saturday, October 5, into the awaiting, loving arms of her Lord and Savior. Peg was born to Leo T. and Mary Alice Coons of Hibbing on June 13, 1926. Peg married the love of her life, Arthur F. Asplund, on June 13, 1947. They had two children, a son, Thomas Asplund of Babbitt and a daughter, Carol Jean (Alan) Stewart of Minnetonka. In 1955, Peg and Art moved to Babbitt to begin a life-long adventure with their family. Peg worked at Hibbing High School during the first five years of their marriage and then became a Homemaker when they moved to Babbitt.
Peg’s life revolved around her family, Woodland Presbyterian Church, and many dear friends. She was involved in Cub Scouts, Brownies, Presbyterian Women, Church Circles, Bible Study, Church Bazaars and Community Outreach programs. She was a Church Elder.
The “lights” of Peg’s life were her husband, children, grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was happiest when everyone in the family could be home and under her roof. She loved her lake home on Birch Lake. She loved her gardens, the birds, the deer and the incredible sunsets off our point. She loved lying in a reclining chair on the deck and looking for shapes in the clouds above. She liked to name the color tones of blue the sky held for her each day. When Art passed away in 1990, Peg still moved out to the Lake each year by herself. We called her the “Dorothy Molter” of Birch Lake.
In addition to her children, Peg leaves behind her beloved son-in-law, Alan Stewart, her cherished grandchildren Lynsey (Joe) Frantz and Ian (Allison) Stewart, her great-grandchildren, Camilla and Henry Frantz, and Faye Margaret Stewart. Nieces and nephews include Artie Lee, Tom and Kevin Kowalski and David, Jimmy, Kathy and Peggy Golden.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 12, at Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt, with visitation to begin at 10:00 a.m. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dr. Frank Davis officiating. A lunch will be provided following the service in the Church Fellowship Hall. Funeral services will be provided by the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Peg be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Woodland Presbyterian Church.

Gary Blauert, 76, of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, October 9. 2019 at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.