Julia M. Priyatel, 90, of Ely, passed away on Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Diane C. (Laitinen) Jiacik, 68, Babbitt, passed away on May 1, 2016 at the Grand Village in Grand Rapids. Diane was born in Ely to Louis and Verna (Lassila) Laitinen on June 20, 1947. After she graduated from Ely High School in 1965, she worked various jobs, only to finally get her degree in cosmetology for which she had always had a passion for doing and was a hair stylist for many years.
She is survived by her two children: Annette (Ed) Stevens, and Robert “Cory” Taylor, her sister: Darlene (Bill) Liapis, step-children: Cathy (Doug) Furnstahl, Mike Jiacik and Patsy(Gregg) Osaben, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her husband Paul, parents Frank and Verna Loushin, and brothers: Gary Laitenen, and Dale (Diane) Loushin.
Funeral services will be held at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely, on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Robert Earl “Bob” Jordan, 79, of Eagles Nest Twp. died unexpectedly on Thursday, April 28, 2016. He was born March 4, 1937 in Urbana, IL the son of Harold and Margaret (Jackson) Jordan and graduated from High School in Champaign, IL in 1955. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois Champaign, a Master’s Degree from Eastern Illinois University, and a PhD from the University of Mississippi. He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Dunn in Champaign, IL on August 29, 1959 and they were longtime residents of Champaign. Bob owned Central Illinois Seed Company in Charleston, IL for many years, was an Accounting Professor, and was a Certified Public Accountant. Bob attended the Ledgerock Community Church in Ely and the Embarrass Evangelical Free Church. He was a Ham Radio Operator (KB9AU), raised canaries, and led many Bible study classes. He loved living at the lake, and spending time with his canine companion, “Ginger”. He cherished time spent with family, especially his grandchildren; and loved the Lord.
Bob is survived by his wife: Patricia; son: Edwin (Sarah) Jordan of Bermuda; daughter: Diana (Brian) Westrate of Antioch, IL; sister: Beverly (Ross) Koberlein of Brownstown, IL; grandchildren: Kathryn (Steve) Austin, Taylor (Rebecca) Westrate, Caroline Westrate, and Elizabeth Jordan; great-granddaughter: Jace Jordan Austin; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2016 in the Ledgerock Community Church, 1515 East Camp Street, Ely, MN. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Private Inurnment will take place in the Ely Cemetery, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christian Aid Mission, PO Box 9037, Charlottesville VA 22906.
Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Roger John David Anderson, 78, passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 in Lakewood, Colorado.Roger went to be with the Lord peacefully surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born October 10, 1938. He is preceded in death by his parents Lowell (Heinzie) and Helen (Burglund) Anderson who owned the Anderson egg farm long ago near Ely.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, camping and playing cards. In his later years he enjoyed flipping houses.
He left Minnesota in his 30s and lived in various states before moving back to Colorado to be near his children.
He is survived by his wife Shirley; 10 children: Diane Deblon, Linda Anderson, Connie Hughes, Kevin Anderson, David Anderson, Lori Taylor, Dave Bonham, Cindy Anderson, April Bonham and Daren Anderson; 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and his sister Gayle Ginther.
He will be greatly missed and in our hearts always.

Victor A. Koivumaki, III, 70, passed away Monday, May 2, 2016 at his home, surrounded by his family.

He leaves his wife of 40 years, Sylvia A. (Fuge) Hollister; two step-sons: James Hollister and his wife, Molly Molloy, of Durham, NH, and Matt Hollister and his wife, Nicole Arpiarian, of Sudbury; four grandchildren: Nate, Tess, Penelope and Tripp; a brother, Fred Koivumaki and his wife, Molly, of Chaska, Minnesota, and his sister, Sue Warfield and her husband, Kris Schmidt, of Ely, Minnesota; nephews Will, Graham, and Alex, and niece Erin, and their families.

Victor was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, son of Victor A. and Elaine W. (Johnson) Koivumaki,

II. He was a 1969 cum laude graduate of Harvard University, and a Rockefeller Scholarship recipient at Harvard Divinity School, where he studied from 1968-1969.

For 30 years Victor worked as an Administrator at Harvard University. After his retirement from Harvard, he then spent the next decade working in the family business, Hollister Insurance, in Clinton, MA.

An elected member of the Town of Lancaster Planning Board since 1995, on May 2nd, Victor received a Citizen Volunteer award by the town of Lancaster honoring his more than twenty years of dedicated service. In addition to his many town activities, he was a Director of Harvard College from 2011 to 2014, Chairman of the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission since 2005, held state, regional, and national leadership positions with the American Red Cross since 1982, was a recipient of the American Red Cross Clara Barton Award for Meritorious Volunteer Leadership, and was a member and past-president of the Nashua River Watershed Association. Victor championed many environmental causes, and loved his Saab cars, pets, and above all, his family.

Vic never denied his roots in Minnesota, and returned often, many times bringing his East Coast friends with him. He would introduce Harvard grad students from New Zealand to the game of hockey on the back yard rink in Edina that his dad, Art Koivumaki, continued to maintain long after his children had grown and left home.

Vic made a point of spending his summer vacations at the family cabin at Burntside Lake where he enjoyed a sauna every evening. He supported the Arts and local charitable causes in Ely. Taking photos of sunsets on Burntside, enjoying dinners at Burntside Lodge, watching an eagle through binoculars out in the boat and enjoying a cocktail on the dock will be remembered forever.

Funeral services and burial are private. There are no calling hours. For those who wish, Victor’s family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Mass Audubon Society, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773; The Listening Point Foundation, P.O. Box 180, Ely, Minnesota 55731; the American Red Cross, 2025 E Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006; the Nashua River Watershed Association, 592 Main St., Groton, MA 01450; or to an environmental or animal rescue cause of your choice.

Memorial service for Bernice E. Anderson, 102, of Ely, will be held on May 20, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home. She passed away December 21, 2015 at Ely-Bloomenson Hospital.

Simon F. Marolt, 100, of Ely, passed away Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Joseph G. Kastelic, 86, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at Lake Hallie Memory Care Facility under St. Joseph Hospice.There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, June 7, 2016 at 1 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely, Minn. Burial to follow in the Ely Cemetery with military honors provided by the Ely Honor Guard.

Berniece Simonich, 97, passed away in her home on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 in Babbitt, MN. Berniece was born on August 26, 1918 in Ramend, WA to Carl and Cora Hellquist. As a young child, Berniece, along with her parents moved to Hibbing, MN where she would go on to graduate from Hibbing High School in 1936. After high school, Berniece received her Beauty Operator’s License in Duluth, MN, and practiced cosmetology in Hibbing.
Berniece married her high school sweetheart and late husband, Lawrence Simonich on September 6, 1942, while Lawrence was on a three-day leave from the army. Their original plans for a church wedding in December of 1941 were cancelled due to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which caused Lawrence to leave for war.
While Lawrence was in the South Pacific Berniece worked at Holcomb Air Force Base in Washington as a ”Rosie the Riveter”, refurbishing damaged World War II bombers. She also was a telephone operator at the Androy Hotel in Hibbing. She spent the majority of her life as a dedicated homemaker, caring and providing for her family. Lawrence and Berniece were married for 67 years and raised three children together.Berniece was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt for 49 years. Berniece will always be remembered by family & friends for her quick wit and ability to overcome hardship.
Berniece is survived by her children: Larry Simonich of Mora, Marcy (Gary) Gotchnik of Ely, Rob Simonich of Babbitt, four grandchildren: Christy (John) McBroom of Rochester, Michael (Heather) Simonich of Moorhead, Maren Gotchnik of Durham, NC, and Krista Gotchnik of Ely: five great-grandchildren: Ian, Joey, and Drew Simonich, and Trajan and Zara McBroom: niece Marie Hyduke of Detroit Lakes, nephew Ted Hyduke of Walker, and great niece Stefani Evans of Detroit Lakes. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lawrence and sister, MaryAnn (Butch) Hyduke.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Babbitt Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt with a gathering of family and friends. Memorial contributions will be made to organizations chosen by the family.

Harvey G. Solberg, 78, of Babbitt passed away Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
He was born June 30, 1937 in Fosston, MN to Nordahl and Alice (Nyland) Solberg. He grew up and worked as a farm hand as a young man in Fosston and Gonvick area. Harvey married Elaine Peterson on December 18, 1954 in Fosston and they had 61 years together. They lived and raised their family in several northern Minnesota communities until moving to Babbitt in 1968 and resided there ever since.
Harvey worked for Reserve Mining Company for 18 years. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church of Babbitt. Harvey was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved woodworking and carpentry, enjoyed growing tomatoes, gardening and his lawn work.
Harvey is survived by his wife Elaine; daughters Debra (Joe) Sherman, Donna (Keith Rathbone) Berhow, Denise Ness; sons Duane (Renee) Solberg, Dale (Pam) Solberg and David (Lisa) Solberg; 14 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-granddaughters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather Tenny Mortensen, stepmother Ruth Solberg and son-in-law Aaron Ness.
Funeral mass will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2016 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. Inurnment will be in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Judith Agath Logan, 76, died at Boundary Waters Care Center on May 22, 2016.
She was born in Virginia to Iver and Hildur Hanson on December 3, 1939.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donald R.Logan and sister Beverly J. Spiker.
She is survived by one brother, John I. (Kathy) Hanson, four nieces and three nephews.
A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

John Gruba Jr., 81, of Brainerd, died Sunday, May 22, 2016 at Good Samaritan Society-Bethany in Brainerd.
John Gruba Jr. was born October 24, 1934 in Alberta Township, Benton County to John and Sally (O’Konek) Gruba Sr. He married Patricia Lepinski on October 17, 1953 at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Gilman. He was employed at Honeywell in northeast Minneapolis. The couple moved back to Sauk Rapids and he worked as a foreman at Franklin Manufacturing while attending night school at St. Cloud Technical College. John worked for Paycheck Silo Co., and owned and operated Gruba Cabinets in Sauk Rapids for many years. He was self employed the rest of his life.
In 1975 he sold the cabinet business and moved to Ely where the couple owned Silver Rapids Lodge. He enjoyed guests from around the world and enjoyed the restaurant the most. In 1992 he sold the resort and the couple moved to Duelm where John started a pool table and gaming supply business, selling in 2006. The couple then retired to the Brainerd Lakes area.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. John will be missed by his family and many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, Brainerd; sons; Rod (Sheila), Ely; Dave (Kathy), Ely and Jeff of Clear Lake, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers; Gabriel ‘Gib’ and Terry.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2016 at Foley Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Michael Wolfbauer will officiate. Burial will be in the SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Gilman.
Friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday at the Foley Funeral Home. Service with Dignity provided by the Foley Funeral Home.

Donald Bronski, 81, of Roseville, MN lost his battle with cancer on May 20, 2016.
Survivors include daughters: Beth Bronski, Barbara (Leon) McCormick and Carol Michels; ex-wife Sally; brothers: Richard Klindera and Robert (Frances) Klindera; grandchildren: Samuel (Haley Swanson) Michels, Meghan Michels, Jesse McCormick, Patrick Montgomery and many nieces and nephews.
Don was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was proud of being the first student accepted into the MFA program at Mankato State University.
Don taught in Babbitt for five years. He then taught psychology, sociology and theater arts at Vermilion Community College in Ely for more than 20 years, where he also coached football for three years. He directed over 125 theater productions over his lifetime and chaired three fine arts festivals in Ely.
Don helped design and secure the funding for the Fine Arts Building added to the college in 1978. His favorite productions included A Lion in Winter, Death of a Salesman, Brigadoon and Fiddler on the Roof. He was awarded the Ely Music and Drama Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996.
Interment at Ft. Snelling, June 1 at 2:00 p.m. with a celebration of his life from 4-7:00 p.m. at 2694 Farrington St. Roseville, MN 55113.
Turn out the lights Mr. B, it’s time to go home.

James John Povhe peacefully passed away May 26, 2016 with loving family and friends by his side. He was born in Ely December 23, 1950 to Mary (Zgonc) and Fred (Fritz) Povhe.
He worked at Minntac as a shovel runner and team leader from 1969 until 2004. After Minntac, having the most meticulously clean vehicles in town, he began Jim’s Car Wash and Detailing as a sideline which serviced almost every type of moving vehicle. He was a US Army Veteran and a proud union member of Steelworkers Local 1938.
There are no words to describe how dynamic a person Jim was. He was known as Uncle Jim to almost every younger person in Ely. He was generous to a fault giving unconditionally to the people he loved and donated to many sports organizations in Ely. He loved traveling with his wife Betty and later with lots of extended family and friends.
More than anything he loved summer when he could drive his 1970 Catalina convertible, cruising all over with Betty who he always said he married young because he knew she was the one. He also loaned his car to be used in many parades and school events.
Jim was also a surrogate uncle, father, and grandparent to many. The latest joy in his life was when his great niece Gracie was born. He spent many hours loving, nurturing and enjoying her.
Jim is survived by his wife Betty (Scufsa) of 44 years. Brother Fred Povhe (Jeanie) and his three sons: Ben, Alex and Bradley of Ely; brothers in law: Rudy (Sue) Scufsa of Winton and Bernie Scufsa (Donna) of Cottage Grove. Special nieces Amy Kellogg and her children: Courtney and Cole; and Trisha Weisinger and her daughter Emily Forsman, besides many more grand nieces and nephews and last but not least Grace Povhe. Jim had a super tight family and network of friends that is beyond, beyond showing how much he was loved by all. He will be waiting for us all in Heaven with “How the hell are ya” and a Black Label beer. Jim donated his body to University of Minnesota in the hopes that it would help someone else in the future.
He was preceded in death by his mother Mary, father Fritz, special sister in law Peggy Povhe who was waiting for him 12 years before on this day, mother and father in law Angela and Rudy Scufsa, sister in law Theresa Kitchens and nephew Kevin Scufsa and grand nephew Zachary Scufsa.
A Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Cecilia F. Jonas, 89, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Donald W. Olson, 80, of Babbitt, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

David Vejtasa, 68, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Sharon Lennae (Van Hooser) Skradski, 67, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016, in Duluth, MN. Sharon was born February 25, 1949 in Hibbing, MN to Lawrence “Bud” and Mary Ann (Smokrovich) Van Hooser. Sharon graduated from Ely Memorial in 1967, graduated from UMD in 1971 and then wed William Skradski on July 25, 1971.
Sharon started work as a teacher with her husband Bill in Australia and finished her career in the Ely branch of the Minnesota Department of Revenue. In her free time she enjoyed fishing for walleye and hunting for grouse.
Sharon was an only child and is preceded in death by her parents Bud and Mary and is survived by her husband Bill of Ely, MN and only child Jason (Melanie) Skradski with grandsons Cade and Carter of Coon Rapids, MN.
A celebration of life will be held from 12-3 p.m. at Amici’s on Wednesday, June 8, 2016.

John W. Przybylski, 86, of Babbit, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 2, 2016 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital in Ely.

John was born on May 24, 1930 in Minneapolis to John A. and Ann (Stebak) Przybylski. John married the love of his life on May 18, 1957 and together they raised three children. John was employed by Union Carbide until his retirement. John owned and operated Babbitt Bait but also enjoyed working there. John was a member of the Babbitt Lions Club for over 30 years and served as its president. John was a dedicated father who adored and always had one of his children with him. John was an absolute practical joker who loved to go hunting with his brothers and who also loved fishing, snowmobiling and house boating. John was just a plain people person, a trip to the grocery store was never quick, he would talk to everybody.
John is survived by his wife of over 59 years: Shirley; his children: Michael (Julie) Przybylski, Jody (Tim) Wind and Mark Przybylski, four grandchildren: Ryan and Jordan Przybylski and Kaitlyn and Taylor Wind; three brothers: Nick (Carol), Alex and Dan (Donna) Przybylski.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers: Dennis and Leonard Przybylski.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt at 11 a.m. with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Leighton “Lee” S. Lindland, 70, of Ely, passed away Wednesday, June 8, 2016 at his residence.
Leighton Stanley Lindland was born August 10, 1945 in Roseau MN to Leonard and Jennie (Thompson) Lindland. He attended schools in Badger, Aurora and Embarrass, graduating from Embarrass High School in 1963. Leighton served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. On August 5, 1978, he was united in marriage to Karen Erickson in Tower. He held various jobs, including, Reserve Mining for 17 years, Wyoming State Training School, Speed Heating and Cooling, and Ace Hardware.
Leighton enjoyed fishing, making his own lures and jigs, hunting, going to the casino, entertaining by telling jokes and stories, building things, known to be the “gadget man” and especially spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by daughter: Michele (Dave) Milton of Ely; sons: Brian Lindland of Ely and Ricky Souder of Lander, WY.
Per his request, private family services will be held. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.