Margaret Likar, 84, of Duluth, formerly of Ely, passed away in Duluth on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

James Lundstrom, 55, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

John S. Richards, 77, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Carefree Living in Ely. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 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.

Steven Robert Powell, 64, of Babbitt, passed away on Sunday, March 27, 2016 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Steven Robert Powell died unexpectedly in his home on March 27th in Babbitt, MN at the age of 64.
He is survived by siblings, Michael Powell of Gilbert, MN, Clair Powell of Sedona, AZ, Janice Powell of Phoenix, AZ, Jill (Bill) Hebl of Ely, MN, nephews and nieces, Robert Jenson of Rice Lake, WI, Heather (Mathew) Lien of Grand Rapids, MN, Stephanie (Michael) Nielson of Ely, MN, Elizabeth (Joseph) Peck of Roseville, MN, John (Sara) Powell of Babbitt, MN, grand nephews and nieces, Courtney Prahl of Grand Rapids, MN, Allen Prahl of Grand Rapids, MN, Josie Powell of Babbitt, MN, Lewey Powell of Babbitt, MN, Charlie Nielson of Ely, MN, Cael Nielson of Ely, MN, Brynn Peck of Roseville, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mickie Powell, and stepbrother Rodney Jenson.
Steven was born on December 28, 1951 in Duluth, MN to Robert and Mickie (Shaw) Powell. He graduated in 1970 from John F. Kennedy High School in Babbitt, MN. He attended both the University of Minnesota Duluth and University of North Dakota Fargo.
After college, he resided in the Babbitt, MN area for the remaining years of his life and spent the last 20 years working for the North Shore Mining Co.
Steve was an extremely generous, witty, and dedicated individual who loved music and who was passionate about everything he did. He was an accomplished guitar player and influenced many by his playing. He was active in the local community’s arts and loved in depth conversations with family, friends or anyone that he met.
A “Celebration of Life” will be scheduled in the near future for all friends and family.
Steve will be laid to rest at Argo Cemetery by family.
Steve Powell will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He touched the hearts of many and taught us that life is both complex and simple all at once. Rest in peace Steve.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Ramona Mae Jokela, 64, of Babbitt passed away on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the Babbitt Evangelical Lutheran Church at 11:00 A.M. with a gathering of family and friends being held one hour earlier at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Warren Tunis Wognum, 80, died Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Spectrum Carefree Living in Ely, Minnesota. He was born on June 19, 1935 in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Louise (Novotny) and Tunis Paarlberg Wognum of South Holland, Illinois.
He graduated from Thornton Township High School, Harvey, Illinois in 1953. He attended Hope College, Holland, Michigan; Thornton Junior College, and graduated from the American Institute of Banking.
He was an assistant vice president at the First National Bank of Dolton, Ill. and later at Norwest Bank Mesabi (Ely, MN office). He also worked at Metropolitan Bank in Fargo. In 1989 he received Norwest Bank’s 100% Club, Service Excellence Regional Winner.
Active in the communities in which he has lived, in Illinois he was assistant Fire Chief of Steger Estates Volunteer Fire Department President of Steger Estates Fire Protection District, President of Willco Fire Chiefs, District 4 of Illinois Firemen’s Association. After moving with his wife and two children to Ely, MN in 1974 he served as treasurer of the Vermilion College Foundation Board, was past treasurer and past president of the Ely Lions Club. He also served on Morse Township Planning & Zoning Committee, Ely Area Development Council’s New Business Committee; City of Winton Planning & Zoning Committee; Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club; and Ely Hoop Club.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, trap shooting, music, reading, playing the piano, collecting antiques and attending local athletic games.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents and his special friend Inta.
He is survived by his children and their families: Nicholas (Mary) Wognum and their children Jacob (Kyah), Megan and Evan; Sandra Wognum and her sons John, Quay and Tyson. He is also survived by his former wife Anne Swenson and his two children by a previous marriage: David Kirby and Victoria Hollander.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 9 from 1-2:30 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Albin M. Zaverl, 95, passed away while surrounded by family members on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 in Eveleth.
He was born May 21, 1920, in Ely, the son of Austrian immigrants John and Jozefa Zaverl.
Albin grew up in Ely and was a 1938 graduate of Ely Memorial High School. He pursued his passion for art from 1938-1941 at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, and in Chicago, he worked for Zenith Radio Company in its commercial art department.
Drafted in 1941, Albin was a medic with the Army Air Corps Flying Tigers and served both in China and India.
After World War II, Albin returned to the Iron Range and was soon employed as a commercial artist, working for decades doing painting and design work for W.A. Fisher Company of Virginia
In 1963, Albin married Arlene Dougherty, and they shared life for 39 years before Arlene’s passing in 2002.
Albin and Arlene danced together, traveled the country and world together, hosted and traveled to numerous family functions, and walked mile after mile together on the Virginia golf course, with Albin serving as Arlene’s personal caddy..
Albin was known for his artistry. In addition to his work for W.A. Fisher, he also did his own sign and painting work for numerous companies, and his commercial art included creating logos that could be seen at many Ely and northeastern Minnesota businesses. He was particularly noted for the backdrops he produced for Ely area canoe outfitters, which could be seen at sport shows across the country.
Through the years, his home in Virginia became a one-man art gallery, with hundreds of paintings and drawings on the walls and on display. Albin’s depictions of wildlife, family members, humorous scenes and his roots in Slovenia were among his most popular.
Albin’s art work has been exhibited across northeastern Minnesota and even in 2014 in Washington, D.C, when the Slovenian Embassy displayed his “Old Country Memories” collection, which will now be donated to the St. Louis County Historical Society. Even when his body failed him late in life, Albin continued to pursue his art, sending hand-made cards to family members and developing a series of editorial cartoons for the Ely Echo.
A proud veteran, Albin was a member of Lozar-Mrace-Loushin American Legion Post 248 of Ely, and he was known for his generosity and his devotion to family. He also enjoyed dancing, music and traveling.
Albin was preceded in death by his parents, wife Arlene, brothers Anton and John, infant sister Anne, nephew Gary and niece Teresa.
He is survived by his youngest sister, Josephine “Dolly” Grahek of Ely, along with nieces JoAnne Coombe (Lon Popejoy) of Duluth, Chickie (Pat) Harristhal of Morristown, Arizona, Judy (the late Gary) Omerza of Scottsdale, Arizona, Sharon Starkovich of Aurora, and Jeanie Zaverl of Ely, along with several grand-nieces and nephews, and several great-grand-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Albin’s life will be held May 21, on Albin’s 96th birthday, in Virginia. Burial will be in Cavalry Cemetery in Virginia.

John Miklaucic, 84, of Ely, passed away at his home with his family at his side on Monday, April 11, 2016. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

John J. Sayovitz, 77, of Marietta, GA, passed away on March 14, 2016. He was born in Ely on Nov. 2, 1938, attended Ely schools and graduated from the Univeristy of Minnesota with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He had a career in research for 42 years with Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; son Steve Sayovitz of Mentor OH; and sister Pat Koski of Ely.

Marylou Foster, 70, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Saint Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN.
She was born December 24, 1945, in Ely, to Reino and Louise Hanninen. She married Jule Foster in 1963. Together they operated Jule Foster Logging, and the Happy Wanderer in Isabella. Marylou loved life and all it had to offer her, nothing meant more to her than spending time with her family and friends, every moment she could.
She is survived by her children: Jackie (Kelley) Jackson of Two Harbors, MN, Joseph (Tina) Foster of Isabella, MN, Louise (Patrick) MacMillan of Ely, MN, RaeAnn (Andy) Debeltz of Isabella, MN, Roberta (Daniel) Johnson of Isabella, MN; stepchildren: Terry (Diane) Foster of Ogema, WI, Neva (Dan) Boxx of Medford, WI, Gary (Allan) Foster of Atlanta, GA. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Jessica (James), Michael (Meghan), Joe, Brooke, Joseph, Emma, and Jory. Step grandchildren: Troy (Emily), Todd (Amy), Derek (Kasey), Travis, Lisa, Josh, Curt (Emily), Zachery, Jenn and Sarah. Many special great-grandchildren, step greatgrandchildren, nieces, nephews, mother-in-law Clara, brother and sister-in-laws, and friends. Also special friends Allan (Linda) Mosher, Priscilla Westlund and Laura (Edward) Johnson.
Marylou was preceded in death by the love of her life Jule Foster; daughter Carrie Foster; father and mother Reino and Louise Hanninen; brother Reino Hanninen; sister Beverly Lahti and step grandson, Chad Mostrom.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 22, 2016 at the Grace Lutheran Church, in Ely, at 2:00 p.m. Private burial service at a later date.

Joseph G. Kastelic, 86, a resident of Wissota Place Assisted Living, Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Lake Hallie Memory Care Facility under St. Joseph Hospice.
He was born on Nov. 2, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Mary (Zaic) Kastelic. On July 25, 1953, he married Mary Ann Arola in Ely, Minn.
Joseph served in the US Marines during the Korean War. After his service he worked at Reserved Mining in Babbitt, Minn. and then for Zenith Mining in Ely, Minn. Joseph was the president of the Wells Fargo Bank in Ely, Minn. until his retirement. He was very active in the VFW Post #2717, Lozar-Mrace-Loushin, MN Post 248, Rotary International and St. Anthony Catholic Church all of Ely, Minn.
Joseph is survived by one daughter, Mary (Jeff) Johnson of Roseville, Minn; three sons: David (Janice) Kastelic of Roseville, Minn, Joe (Kristi) Kastelic of Chippewa Falls and Jon (Anneka) Kastelic of Duluth, Minn; seven grandchildren: Amanda (Isaac) Schwoch, Chistopher and Teresa Kastelic, Kristjian (Laura) , Ben, Jacob and Emily Johnson; six great grandchildren: Maria, Clare, Evan and Peter Schwoch; Remiann Johnson and Michael Kastelic; one sister, Dorothy (Tom) Grahek of Venice, Florida; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Mary Ann and one brother, Frank Kastelic.
Funeral services will be held at Noon Friday, April 22, 2016 at Holy Ghost Church in Chippewa Falls. Rev. Msgr. Mark Pierce will be celebrant of the funeral Mass.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. Friday until the time of services at the church.
There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 2 p.m. Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely, Minn. Burial of cremains will be in the Ely Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Ely Honors Guard.
The family would like to thank the staff at Wissota Place Assisted Living for their care and concern. They would also like to thank the Lake Hallie Memory Care Facility for their help during the last few weeks.
Horan Funeral Home in Chippewa Falls is assisting the family with local arrangements. Family and friends may express condolences online at www.horanfuneralhome.com

James J. “Jim” Elioff, 88, Bovey, died peacefully on Friday, April 22, 2016 in the Grand Itasca Hospital, Grand Rapids, MN.
Born February 13, 1928 in Ely, he was the son of John and Anna (Mancuso) Elioff. He was a graduate of Ely Memorial High School, Ely Junior College and St. Olaf College, and had been a Bovey resident since 1955. Jim was a science teacher and had taught in Busby, MT, Flasher, ND, and at Greenway Junior High School from 1955 until his retirement. Jim was a member of the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church of Coleraine, had served as Mayor of Bovey for many years, served as the president of the Greenway AFT/MFT teachers union, coached football, basketball, baseball and tennis at Greenway, the North Central Ag School and Itasca Junior College, and was a member of the Parkinson’s Support Group. Jim and Caroline Doney were married on February 13, 1952 at the Crow Agency, MT.
His parents, John and Anna Elioff and siblings, George, Evelyn Prijatel, John and Rickie preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife, Caroline; children: Donna (Joe) Demaris of Forest Lake, MN, Cheryl (Eugene) Gustason of Stewartville, MN, John (Jackie) of Pengilly, Jim (Char) of Fridley, Marie Elioff (Paula Wilson) of Milwaukee, WI, and Michelle Knaeble of Phoenix, AZ; 20 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and seven great great grandchildren; siblings, Dominic (Josie) of Virginia, MN, Mary Anne Johnson of Grand Rapids, Carol Jean (Jim) Perry of Grand Rapids, Ronald (Dene’) of San Jose, CA; and sisters-in-law, Mary Jean Elioff of Ely and Mary Elioff of St. Paul, MN.
Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Monday with recitation of the Rosary at 7:45 p.m. in the Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine, and will continue from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 in the Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Coleraine. Interment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine. To leave an online message of condolence, please send to: petersonfuneralchapelofcoleraine.com.

Frances (Pat) Brice dies
On Friday, March 18, 2016, Frances (Pat) Brice went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after being hospitalized with complications from pneumonia.
Pat is survived by four of her five children, Robert (Arlene) Brice of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, Bonita Brice of Newport, Oregon, Rebecca (Mike) Musich of Watertown, Minnesota, and Beth (Dan) Wood of Idaho Falls, Idaho; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; sisters, Peggy Howe, Judy Sloan and Barb Winge, brother-in-law, Bill Brice and sister-in-law, Jeanne (Oke) Martinson, along with numerous extended family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Brice, in 1997, her daughter Barbara Brice Fischer in 2000 and by her brother, Robert Hanson.
Pat was born in Chicago on October 16, 1924, subsequently moving with her parents, Arthur and Edith Hanson, to Minneapolis, Minnesota She was the oldest of five children in a loving family that endured the economic depression and WW II.
In May of 1943, Robert and Pat were married in Stewart Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, after which they moved so that Bob could complete the officer training program in Annapolis, MD. Pat returned to Minneapolis when her husband was commissioned as a Lieutenant and was sent to the South Pacific during WW II. After Bob’s discharge from the Navy, they raised their five children in Edina, Minnesota, until Bob’s career change took them to Ely, Minnesota in 1965 and finally to Corvallis, Oregon in 1976. Several years after Bob’s death, Pat moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her family.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21

Agnes M. Gorshe, 100, of Ely, passed away on Monday, April 25, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Vincent Killian Guck, 87, of Perham, formerly of New York Mills, MN died on Monday, April 11, 2016 peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Vince was born to Edward and Anna (Wallace) Guck on August 9, 1928 in Perham, MN. He attended the Poser Country School District 211 in Homestead Township.
On September 1, 1953 he was united in marriage to Bernadette Honer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dent, MN and together they welcomed six children. Three weeks after the wedding he reported for duty with the U.S. Army in Beckley, WV, where he served for two years and was a member of the standby reserves until 1961, at which time he was honorably discharged. Upon returning to MN in 1955they bought a farm in New York Mills, where they farmed for 37 years. Throughout the years Vince also worked various odd jobs in the area, including several years at the Perham Stockyards. In 1992 he retired from farming and they moved to Perham where they made their home for his last years.
Vince was a longtime member of St John’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, and an active member of the St. John’s Men’s Society. After moving to Perham, he became a member of St Henry’s Catholic Church. He served on the East Ottertail Credit Union Board for many years. Vince enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, playing cards and fishing over the years. He had a passion for fishing like no other, whether in the spear house or in the boat, and hosted many, many family fish fries. Visits and playing cards with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him much joy. Until the very end, he had his family laughing with his quick witty humor when you least expected it. Vince was a true example of love of family and faith in God.
He will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 63 years, Bernadette, Perham; children, Jerome (Cecile) Guck, Perham, Ronald (Ronda) Guck, Ely, Rose Berndt, East Bethel, Roger (Joleen) Guck, Wadena, Susanne (Danny) McDaniel, Pflugerville, TX, and Kevin Guck, New York Mills; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with his most recent great-granddaughter arriving the very day he passed. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marianne Minten and Patty Skov; and son-in-law, Steve Berndt.

Mary J. Eiteljorge, 84, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Clifford Elmer Ahlgren, 94, former director of The Quetico-Superior Wilderness Research Center and co-author of the book, “Lob Trees in the Wilderness”, died on April 19, 2016 at his residence in Sun City, Arizona.
Cliff was born in Toimi, Minnesota in 1922 and lived in the Duluth and Ely areas until his retirement. While director of the Wilderness Center, Cliff and his wife Isabel successfully developed a rust disease-resistant strain of White Pine.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Molly O. Ahlgren of Sitka, Alaska and is survived by his wife, Isabel F. Ahlgren of Sun City, Arizona; his son, Clifford L. (Nancy) of Buffalo, Minnesota and grandson, Samuel.

Lee Edward Lilya, 81, of Burntside Lake, Ely, died Friday, April 22, 2016, in Duluth He was born and grew up in Soudan, taught school in Duluth. Survived by wife Marilyn, two children and eight grandchildren. Funeral is May 2 at 2 p.m. in Tower.

Lisa (Lodahl) Palmehn, 57, Richfield, passed away peacefully and surrounded with love,​ on April 21, 2016.
Lisa touched the lives of everyone she met. She was both inspiring and encouraging. Lisa loved spending time with her family - dancing, crafting, sewing, gardening and enjoying the outdoors in Ely. Her strength, courage and unconditional love was a true testament of her faith. Lisa continued to have and share faith in God in His plan and His glory​. Jo​hn 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life
Survived by husband, Larry; children: Jennii, Laura (Dominick) Thibodeau, Jesi, Jacob; three granddaughters: Alyssa, Olivia and Avery;​mother, Dorothy Lodahl; in-laws, Bob and Kathy; siblings and many relatives and friends. Preceded in death by father, James Lodahl.
Memorial service 3:00pm Friday, May 6 at Colonial Church in Edina MN.​
Interment at a later date at Birch Lake Cemetery of Ely. Cremation Society MN 952-924-4100