Mathew J. Baudek, 91, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

CORLEY, Mary Magdalene (Ryan)
January 12, 1940 October 26, 2020
Born to James and Margaret Popesh Ryan in Ely. Grandparents Michael and Margaret Sever Popesh, Ely, and James and Barbara Taylor Ryan of rural Aitkin. Preceded in death by parents, grandparents, brother James, brothers-in-law Frank Weisinger and Leonard Fox, sister-in-law Karen Ryan.
Mary is survived by her husband of 59 years Daniel Martin Corley, three daughters: Cynthia Mastick, (Grant), Lyn Ostar(John) and Stephanie McNicholas, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren on the way. Also survived by 6 sisters: Margaret Fox, Theresa Weisinger, Jean (Jack) Corley, Barbara (Robert) Carnes, Veronica (Paul) DuPuis, Elizabeth (Larry) Alexander and two brothers: Joseph (Sharon) and John (Gailyn) Ryan and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary graduated from Ely High School in 1959 She was active in many activities including band, editing the school paper, and synchronized swimming… one of the Water Babes that won the Minnesota state championship. She became a National Merit Scholar, receiving a full scholarship which made it possible for her to attend Catholic University in Washington D.C. She graduated in Physics and years later went on to earn a MA degree in education, making it possible to teach astronomy and physics at Montgomery College in Maryland.

Mary met Daniel Martin (Marty) Corley at Catholic U. and they were married soon after graduation. Except for a brief time when they lived in Long Island, N.Y as Marty completed his research for his Ph.D. they have lived in Maryland for most of their married life, living in Rockville, MD for 50 years. Mary always had a strong attachment to Ely and visited friends and relatives there almost every year. She worked for IBM as a systems engineer; on the first moon mission with UNIVAC at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and after her children had grown, taught part-time at Montgomery College. She was also a Master Gardener and had exhibits at the National Arboretum, judged flower shows and was an officer of several garden clubs in the D.C. area. She also was president of the board for a low-income senior housing complex, cooked as a volunteer for a homeless shelter and was active in many other activities. She doted on her grandchildren, enjoyed travel, especially to flower-connected shows in the U.S. and abroad.

Because of the covid restrictions, there will be no mass or services until next spring when there will be a memorial mass and celebration of her life in Ely. Her remains will be buried in the ‘Ely cemetery near the graves of her parents.

Julia “Julie” Claire (Nystrom) Palombi passed away surrounded by family in Cloquet, Minnesota on October 31, 2020 after a years-long battle with dementia.

Julie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1946 and spent the majority of her childhood and adult life in Babbitt and Ely. Julie was passionate about fishing, hunting, and enjoying the outdoors. Early in her career, Julie worked as a teacher and basketball coach in Ely.

Julie enjoyed challenging gender roles and always encouraged the girls she mentored and taught - including her own daughters - that gender should not prevent them from doing anything they loved or aspired to. Some of Julie’s best years were spent serving as a guide for canoe trips with the Girl Scouts. She was proud to have built her own log cabin on Hobo Lake near Ely. She enjoyed hunting wild mushrooms and was an active member of the Minnesota Mycological Society, also submitting articles to the society for publication. Julie had a competitive spirit and loved out-picking, out-fishing and out-hunting the best of them.

Julie is survived by her daughters Laura Palombi and Robbi (Jason) Mondati, her life partner (Carlo Palombi), five grandchildren (Jake, Lucy, Adri, Dominic, James), one niece (Lori Palombi Webb) and one nephew (Randy Palombi) that brought her a great deal of joy, especially in her final years. She is preceded in death by her brother (Erich Nystrom) and parents (A. Vincent Nystrom and Virginia Nystrom). Julie enjoyed the friendship of friends and neighbors in Ely and across the nation.

A small celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2021 when it is safe to do so. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Max A. Zoretic, 88, formerly of Ely, Babbitt, and Zephyrhills FL, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2020 in Silver Bay MN.
He graduated from Hibbing High School in 1950 along with his high school sweetheart, Jean Nordstrom. Max proudly served in combat for the Minnesota Army National Guard 7th Infantry Division in Korea. He then worked as a welder for Reserve Mining Company and also owned/operated a Roto Rooter franchise.
Max married his high school sweetheart Jean in 1955 and moved to Ely where they raised their five daughters on Beacon Hill. In 1993, they became "snowbirds" enjoying retirement life in Florida.
Max was preceded in death by his loving wife Jean of 53 years in 2008, grandson Jon Max Rice, brother Vince and sister Bernadine.
Max is survived by his five daughters: Deborah (Joe) Kobe of Ely, Michele (Bryan) Mattila of Omaha NE, Nancy Greeney of White Bear lake, Jane Kerntz of Buhl, Katie Zoretic of Buhl, and eight grandchildren: Sarah (Brad) Westerberg, Courtney (Josh} Engquist, Bryan J. (Carrie) Mattila, Jayna (Chris) McDaniel, Vince Greeney, Maddie Greeney, Patrick Kerntz, Steven Kerntz, eight great-grandchildren and sister-in-law Patricia Zoretic.
A family gathering is being planned for next summer.

Feudor Aijala, 84, Silver Bay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
Feudor was born on April 20, 1936 to Felder and Saima (Mattson) Aijala in Ely where he grew up and attended Ely Junior College. Feudor continued his education at the University of MN- Duluth, obtaining a Bachelor’s in Education and later a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota. Moving to Silver Bay, Feudor taught 6th grade for 34 years, specializing in Social Studies. He had a love of history and was a great storyteller.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed turkey hunting in the Black Hills and fishing the northern lakes. He also enjoyed listening to music.
Feudor was fond of his heritage and enjoyed collecting Finnish Puukko knives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ruth and Arleen.
Feudor is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Margaret; daughters, Anita Aijala and Margaret (Harold) Voges; grandsons, Sidney, Matthew, and Mika; and many nieces and nephews.
To share your memories or condolences online please visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.​

Norma Kramar
On a warm summer day on June 22nd 1929, Norma arrived in the world. She was born on the family farm near Foley, MN to proud parents Anna and Ernest Eckholm. The family grew over the next few years, adding siblings Harvey, Clyde and Byron. Norma graduated from Foley High School and attended St Cloud State University, graduating with a teaching degree.
After graduation, Norma taught in the communities Ogilvie, Crosby and Forest Lake. Her summers were filled with adventures. One summer, Norma travelled to Alaska with some other teachers to teach Inuit children at the fishing villages. Another summer, she and some friends went to Europe, travelling from Italy to Sweden. She stopped in Germany to visit her brother Harvey, who was stationed there at the time.
Eventually teaching brought Norma to Ely. It was here that she met a charming bachelor named Ed Kramar and the rest is history. Ed and Norma were married in 1959. The couple decided to reside in Ely, where they raised two children, Nancy and Keith. Ed worked for Reserve Mining and Norma continued to substitute teach in the Ely schools. They spent many family vacations travelling the country in their Travel Trailer. Lots of their vacations revolved around fishing.
Grace Lutheran Church was a large part of her family’s life. Norma was involved in the church’s circles and was a volunteer for numerous events. She is even a published author of several delicious recipes in the church’s regionally famous cookbook.
Sadly, Ed passed away in 2016, ending 57 years of a match made in heaven. Norma moved to the Twin Cities to be closer to her children and grandchildren. She passed away peacefully on November 6, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Norma is now in heaven, happily reunited with the love of her life.
She will be missed by daughter Nancy (Chris) Wood of Brooklyn Park, MN and son Keith (Loree) Kramar of Lake Elmo, MN, grandchildren Sam, Evan, Kristee, Brandon, Austin, Diane and great grandchildren Amy and Kenett.
A memorial service is being planned for Spring 2021. Please direct any memorials for Norma to Grace Lutheran Church

Feudor Aijala, 84, Silver Bay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
Feudor was born on April 20, 1936 to Felder and Saima (Mattson) Aijala in Ely where he grew up and attended Ely Junior College. Feudor continued his education at the University of MN- Duluth, obtaining a Bachelor’s in Education and later a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota. Moving to Silver Bay, Feudor taught 6th grade for 34 years, specializing in Social Studies. He had a love of history and was a great storyteller.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed turkey hunting in the Black Hills and fishing the northern lakes. He also enjoyed listening to music.
Feudor was fond of his heritage and enjoyed collecting Finnish Puukko knives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ruth and Arleen.
Feudor is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Margaret; daughters, Anita Aijala and Margaret (Harold) Voges; grandsons, Sidney, Matthew, and Mika; and many nieces and nephews.
To share your memories or condolences online please visit www.cavallinfuneralhome.com.

Michael W. Baldwin, 85, of Babbitt, passed award Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Funeral arrangements are pending with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Ann Marie Bye, 72, of Ely, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Hibbing.

Anthony P. Merhar, 69, of Babbitt, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Boundary Waters Care in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Tom Marvin Erkkila, age 60 of Sandstone, MN lost his courageous battle with cancer November 7th 2020 surrounded by his loved ones.
Tom was born on September 6, 1960 to Marvin and Grace Erkkila. Tom grew up in Babbit, Mn and later moved to Sandstone where he lived with the love of his life, Ramona O’Donnell for the past 25 years.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman and loved being in the woods and feeding the deer. He loved spending time with the grandkids; taking them on tractor rides, going to college hockey games. Tom also loved sharing his knowledge of the outdoors with others. He worked for Donald Selander as a Machinist at Snobike Machine for 38 years. Cooking breakfast for his family brought him great joy! Tom was a great man and loved by many.
Tom is survived by his parents Marvin and Grace Erkkila, Brothers, Robert (Sandy) Erkkila, Jerry (Tammy) Erkkila and their families, Ramona O’Donnell and her daughters. Stephanie O’Donnell, Melissa (Sean) Galiher, Melinda (Jason) Dahlberg. Grandchildren, Brennen, Brayden, Brecken, Madysen, Melia, & Makinley.
Private services were held.
Arrangements by Methven Funeral and Cremation Services of Sandstone, MN. www.methvenfuneralhome.com

Erik Lindskog, age 70, died recently at his home on Burntside Lake. He was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. After retiring from his surveying career in South Dakota, Colorado and Minneapolis, he moved to his beloved Minnesota Northwoods.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Joe Rokke, nephew Chris Rokke, niece Jennifer Wennerberg (Adam), grandniece Charlotte Wennerberg, grandnephew James Rokke, aunt June Remme and many beloveel cousins and friends. Due to Covid restrictions, no service.
Family services are being provided by Kerntz Funeral Home.

Emily Elaine Wahlberg, 81, died peacefully at home on November 19, 2020.

Emily was born on Nov. 24, 1938, in Ely, to Reino and Rachel (Rosdet) Wahlberg. She was a graduate of Memorial High School, Ely Junior College, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Illinois.

She taught high school science in Illinois for 31 years, and retired to her summer property on Burntside Lake. Emily built her dream house, operated Burntside Heritage Tours, and established beautiful flower gardens and welcoming habitat for humans and critters.

Emily was active in the community, especially supporting the arts, the DFL, the winter festival, VCC, and the Town of Morse. Her last determined act was to get out to vote on November 3rd.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by her brother Jerry in 2013. She is survived by Barbara Berglund; her brother Richard (Dana) Wahlberg of Duluth; and by many friends, several cousins, nieces, step nieces, great nieces and great nephews; and by her special helper and friend, Heather Flikke Griffith.

A gathering of family and friends will be in summer. Memorials to Northwoods Partners, Cripple Critter Ranch, or VCC Foundation preferred.

Robert E. Niewierowski, 82, of Ely, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

James Wayne Kultala, 86, passed away on November 18, 2020 in Silver Bay, Minnesota.

Jim was born in Tower, Minnesota to Wayne and Lila (Hannula) Kultala on March 20, 1934. He married Jeannette Niemi; they were married 25 years and raised six children. He served as Military Police in the Army, stationed in Fort Sheridan, IL. In his early years, Jim drove truck for Erie Mining Company. For many years, Jim was a car salesman for metro area dealerships; later in life he pursued his real estate license and became a real estate agent. Jim loved to dance and explore; he was happiest on the dance floor and going for a long drive.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Lila Kultala, and step-father Robert White; his sisters Doris Carlon and Lucille Galbraith; his spouse Jeannette Niemi and their daughter Cheryl.

Jim is survived by his children Jim Kultala (Michelle), Debra Kultala, Dawn Kultala, Diane Franklin, Denise Neisz (Hans), and Darci Tanberg (Tom) and nine grandchildren, Risto, Aili, Sophia, Ethan, Keely, Kelly, Dominique, Dylan and Maija.

In lieu of having a memorial service at this time because of COVID-19, the family plans to hold a private, family service. If you wish to donate in his honor the family is suggesting that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer’s Foundation at www.alzfdn.org.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to long-time companion, Laverne Rehbein and to all of the amazing and caring physicians and staff at Silver Bay Veteran’s Home.

Robert William Bentz, 95 years old, formerly of Richfield, MN,
Passed away peacefully on October 27th, 2020, at St. Therese in New Hope, MN

Bob was Born May 22nd, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN, to Albert Rae and Gladys Bentz, and united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Freeburg on February 22, 1952.

Bob served in the U.S. Army in World War II, was a restaurant manager, then owner of the Nokomis Inn in South Minneapolis for approximately 30 years. Bob then worked for Normark Corporation until his retirement.
Bob enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family, especially time spent at the cabin on Mille Lacs Lake.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Phyllis (Toots),and parents, Albert Rae and Gladys Bentz.
He is survived by his children: Richard Bentz of Eden Prairie, Donald (Beth) Bentz of Chaska/Brainerd, Leanne Reiter of California/Park City, Utah, Rae Bentz (Cindy) of Ely, and Robert Bentz (Brandi) of the US Virgin Islands. Grandchildren, Joseph Reiter (Kasey), Michael Reiter (Laura), Lauren DeHaai (Alex), Drew Bentz (Becky), Nic Bentz, Erica Bentz , Great Grand Child: Olivia DeHaai, and sister Dorothy Andrews and her family.

Bryan L. Hoffmeister, age 60, of Wyoming, Minnesota, passed away, Monday, November 16, 2020 at his home. Bryan was born January 9, 1960 in Elmhurst, IL to William and Ann (Schelde) Hoffmeister. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1978 and completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota. Bryan enjoyed many aspects of mechanical engineering with a strong interest in the field of aerospace engineering.
In 1978, Bryan enlisted in the MN Army Reserves and spent three years in Germany where he was in the position of military police. In 1991, he re-enlisted and then attended Officer Candidate School for the Army Reserves and became a Second Lieutenant.
Bryan always had a “need for speed,” and spent many of his younger years building and racing dirt bikes. Later, he became interested in racing cars; spending countless weekends working on his Porsche and Mini Cooper, getting them in top shape for racing. When he wasn’t working on the cars, he spent his time racing them at racetracks in Brainerd, MN. Bryan enjoyed snowmobiling around the trails in northern MN and in Michigan with his daughters, family, and friends. Bryan was also an avid downhill racer & recreational skier and enjoyed trips to many states and ski resorts out west. He began racing in Northern MN in high school and raced in the Alps while in the Army.
He is survived by his mother, Ann M. Shelde; his sister, Suzanne Lass and her husband Jayson Lass; his two daughters, Alexandra Cole and Madeline Hoffmeister; three grandsons, Nathan Hoffmeister, Emery Cole, and Jaxon Moreland; and his nephews, Levi and Logan Lass. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Archie & Dorothy Masters, John & Marie Perkins; father, William L. Hoffmeister; his stepfather, Gordon Shelde.
There will be no memorial service at this time, and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Veterans Administration. Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the family www.mattsonfuneralhome.com

Andrew Baker Sr., age 88, passed away on November 21, 2020. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 3, 2020 to the late Andrew Jackson Baker and Mary Josephine Posnanski. He was a US Army veteran who served in the Korean conflict. He is survived by his children, Andrew and Cynthia; grandchildren, Andrew, Derrick, Josh, Angie, Brandi, Michael, Christina, Misty, Kevin, Kyle, T.J.; great grandchildren, Peyton, Alyssa, Gary, Bralny, Josiah, Naomie, Jersey, Logan, June, Penelope, Landen, Carson, Ashlee, Aiden, Careena, Deanna, Gia, Calie, Carter, Melia, and Chase; many other friends and family.

Sheryll A. Baier, 73, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2020.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Bonnie Zupancich, 80, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.