James Patrick Akins Jr, 51 of Snohomish, Washington, formerly of Ely passed away November 18, 2015.

Jim was born January 23, 1964 in Ely. The son of James Akins Sr. and Roberta (Susie Maki) Wilson.

Jim worked for A & K Railroad Company for 30 years. He started with them in Ely when the railroad line from Ely to Virginia was removed. He traveled the United States removing old and abandoned track lines. He loved the railroad. Jim was a great Brother/Uncle/Father and he will be missed deeply.

Surviving are siblings Annette (Tony) Peden of Granite Falls, WA; Keith (Tanya) Akins of Granite Falls, WA; Jason (Georgia) Akins of Hugo, MN.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother Roberta (Susie Maki) in 2000.
A private grave side memorial service will be held July 2 at the Ely Cemetery.

Lt. George Frank Vipavetz, 85, USN Retired Band Master, of Kirkland, WA, died April 26, 2016 in Kirkland due to a short illness. He was born March 9, 1931 and grew up in Ely.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Merilyn Vipavetz, his sons: Kevin (Carol), Steven (Maureen), Kristofer; his daughter Kimlyn Fasso (Edward), six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Agnes M. Gorshe, 100, of Ely, passed away early Monday morning. April 25, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. She was born December 5, 1915 to Joseph and Rose (Franzel) Pucel in Ely.
Agnes was a graduate of Ely Memorial High School. A few years later, she married Albin M Gorshe. They lived in Savoy location for a few years until they moved, house included, to Madison Street.
Agnes was a very talented chef/baker and meticulous homemaker. Her poticas were in great demand. She enjoyed reading and was quite adept in arts and crafts as were many ladies of her unique generation. She was a life-long member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Agnes is survived by her son, Thomas (Rochelle), grandsons: Todd (Christine) and Matt (Catherine), brother Dr. Robert Pucel and many nephews, nieces and their children.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albin in 2001, brothers: Joseph (Agnes) and John (Adele), sisters: Mary (Michael) Klobuchar, Rose (John) Rom, Frances (Peter) Kotzian, Angela (William) Bunney and many other relatives.
We thank Aunt Adele, posthumously; Justine Carlson and Dennis Toms for all the help they extended to Agnes during the difficult times she had in coping with severe arthritis while still living at home. We also thank the staff at BWCC for the wonderful care they extended to Agnes for the two years she was there.
Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016, at St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Inurnment will be at the Ely Cemetery. Family arrangements have been entrusted to
Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Michael D. “DP” Ewashean, 75, longtime resident of Embarrass and formerly of Ely, died Thursday, June 16, 2016, at his home with family at his side.

He was born Jan. 20, 1941, in Chicago, the son of Harriet Czop. He was united in marriage to Susan Nickolson on Sept. 5, 1969, in Sisseton, S.D.

DP was a handyman and owner/operator of DP Sales and Service. He enjoyed flying.

DP is survived by his wife, Susan; his son, Jeremy Ewashean of Embarrass; two sisters and one brother.

He was preceded in death by his mother and his daughter, Michelle (1977).

At DP’s request, no formal services will be held. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Jeffrey Duane Barsness, 48, of Babbitt died unexpectedly Tuesday, June 14, 2016 in his home. He was born July 10, 1967 in Babbitt, and was a graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. Jeff grew up in Babbitt, moved to Minneapolis to find work and returned to Babbitt.
He liked to fish, hunt, play horseshoes and holey board.
Jeff is survived by a son: Zachary Barsness; parents: Ilene and Herb Young of Embarrass; siblings: Nancy (Erik) Hjelm of Andover, Dave Barsness of Babbitt, Brian Barsness of Rosemount, Mike (Gina) Vanderflute of South Carolina, Kim (Lloyd) Thole of Austin, TX, Teri (Dale) Benoit of Milaca, Jenny (Steve) Sass of Arizona, Gene (Beebee) Young of Round Rock, TX and Brent (Shannon) Westerberg of Mesa, AZ; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
A Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 23, 2016 in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt. Pastor Steve Weston will officiate. A visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the Church. Inurnment will take place in the Embarrass Cemetery.
Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share condolences online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Robert “Bob” LeBlanc, 78, of Wakefield, MI passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at McLaren Hospital in Lansing, MI.
Bob was born in Newberry on July 1, 1937. His mother passed away when he was born. When he was a year and a half his father moved him to Ramsay to live with his mother’s sister and her husband, Mary and John Chlebowski.
His father passed away when he was just four years old. Bob continued growing up in Ramsay, raised by his aunt and uncle.
A frequent visitor to Ely. after retiring from teaching he spent his winters in Arizona.
Bob is survived by his beloved Nancy; two sons: Craig (Katie) LeBlanc of Kohler, WI and Jim (Michelle) LeBlanc of Lansing; several grandsons; a brother: Thomas Chlebowski and a sister: Barbara Deyak of Ely; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother John.
A memorial service is set for Wed., June 29 at Sandy Point Pavilion in Wakefield from 2 p.m. until evening.

Joan F. Salo,79, of Vermilion Lake Township, passed away Monday, June 13, 2016, at her home, with her family by her side.
She was born January 20, 1937, the eighth child of Waldimar and Anne (Beodena) Carlson of Tower. She attended the local school and graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1955.
In September 1955, she entered nurses training at Hennepin County General Hospital in Minneapolis and graduated in September 1958’
Joan was united in marriage to Ronald Lindsoe in June 1958 and they made their home in Minneapolis until 1979 when they moved to Ely. Ron worked for Mike Motors and Joan worked at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Ron passed away in July 1983.
Joan remarried to Gerald Salo in 1988 and moved back to Tower in 1992.
She worked full time and part time for 43 years enjoying her nursing career as a Registered Nurse which included Hennepin County Hospital, Mercy Hospital in the Twin City area, Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital and 16 years running the Tower Clinic.
Joan enjoyed gardening, baking, quilting and spending time at the cabin, especially with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Ely, and the Little Church in Vermilion Lake Township.
She is survived and deeply loved by her husband, Gerald Salo ; children, Dawn (Scott) Chaffee of Zimmerman, MN, Susan (Mike) Maternowsky of Ely, Greg (Marcy) Lindsoe of Woodbury, MN, and Christopher (Amy) Lindsoe of Coon Rapids, MN; Darrel (Dolly) Salo of Red Wing, MN, Terry Salo of Duluth and Debra (Chris) Hedin of Duluth; grandchildren, Nathan (Toni) Berglund, Jennifer (Dennis Hanson) Berglund, Jake Chaffee, Kelle (Keith) Dencker, Caitlin Chaffee, Casey (Dan) Hruby, Michale (Ryan) Cullen, Mathew Maternowsky, Cori Lindsoe, Natalie Lindsoe, Nicole Lindsoe, Bergen Palmer, Eden Palmer, Cole Palmer, Jaylyn Lindsoe, Ben Lindsoe, Sam Lindsoe, Andrew Lindsoe, Samantha Hedin, Eli Hedin and Maddie Tucker; great-grandchildren, McKenzie and Tyler Berglund, Oliver Hanson, Braelin Chaffee and baby Dencker; brothers, Warren Carlson of Kugler Township and Roy (Pat) Carlson of Ely; numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents,first husband, Ronald Lindsoe; sisters, Doris Limmer, Clarice Starkovich, Shirley Starkovich and Vivian Mensorio; and brother, Donald Carlson.
A Celebration of Life will be at 3:00 P.M. Friday, July 1, 2016, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower, with Pastor Liz Cheney officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

Christine Clare Zakraisek, 102 ½ , of Bloomington, MN, formerly of Alhambra, CA and Ely, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, June 18, 2016.
She was born December 13, 1913 in Ely to Anton and Theresa (Berlec) Zakrajshek and grew up with her eight siblings on the family farm in Greaney, MN. She enjoyed high school years in Ely. After nine years in Des Moines, IA doing office work, having studied comptometry, she traveled West for war work in Las Vegas, NV offices of the magnesium mining operations new Boulder Dam and in Vernon, CA offices of the Naval Repair Station inventorying damaged American WWII equipment. On August 6, 1945, she had her final communication with her fiance’ just prior to his return ship departure back to the U.S. Hundreds aboard were lost at sea. She never married.
The following 12 years she partnered in an Alhambra, CA merchandise sales and repair business selling the first appliances made after the war, including the G.E. refrigerator, Maytag clothes washer, Magnavox television. In 1957, she began a 28 year employment as a human resource officer at the Broadway Service Building in L.A. Her retirement years found her maintaining her yard of fruit trees and flowering bushes immaculately while caring for many pets, turtles to macaws, frequently restoring injured drop-offs by neighbors. She was a devoted member of her Catholic faith community at All Souls Church.
Returning to Minnesota in 2011, still active and vital, living with her niece, she enjoyed three feline companions, outdoor yard work and indoor orchids and African violets. On December 13, 2015, Christine celebrated her 102nd birthday with friends and family, remaining active enjoying life until slowing down a month ago.
Christine was preceded in death by her parents Anton and Theresa, her brothers Tony, Joe and Albin and her sisters, Theresa Pryor, Leona Zakrajshek, Mary Timperly, Genevieve Sutton and Frances Dusich. She is survived by numerous nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews and great, great nieces/nephews. A memorial service of Christian burial will be held in Ely, Minnesota this summer.

Mary Maki of Winton died Sunday, June 19, 2016 at the Ely-Bloomenson Hospital surrounded by family.
Mary was born in Soudan, MN on May 30, 1943, the second child of John and Angela Akins.
She graduated from Tower High School in 1961. On June 17, 1961 she married James Maki of Winton in Fairbanks, AK when he was in the Army.
She enjoyed the outdoors, winter and summer fishing, ricing and loved being at her Paradise Point on Fall Lake. Mary was a compassionate gal who loved kids, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Everyone looked forward to her wild rice hotdish and Geneva fluff dessert.
Mary is survived by her husband Jim of Winton, daughter Donna Anderson (Clay Pollock) of Ely; sons: Mike (Jeannine) of Winton, Dan (Debbie) of Winton; grandchildren: Amanda (Ricky) Mitchell of Hermantown, Cassondra Anderson of Winton; two great-grandchildren, Maddux and Beau Mitchell; sisters Pat (Dave) Schmid of Embarrass; Stella (John) Dunkinson of Snohomish, WA; Cathy (Gary) Salmela of Soudan; brothers: Jim (Terry) Akins of Florence, AZ; John (Leslie) Akins of Spokane, WA; Fred (Terry) Akins of Spokane, WA; special cousin Cathy Vene of Bemidji, MN.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Michael; grandson Jon Maki; brother-in-law Steve Soraparu.
A memorial service will be held Sat., July 16 at the Winton Community Church from 1-3 p.m.

Eunice H. Ayers, 96, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Susan Marie (Mikolich) Armack, 58, of Grapevine, TX, passed away on June 14, 2016 in Grapevine, TX. She was born on October 15, 1957 in Ely, Minnesota to Donald and Caroline Mikolich. She gradutaed from Ely schools.
Susan is survived by her husband, Joseph J. Armack and one daughter, Amanda (Michael) Kennard; her parents; brother Mark Mikolich and two sisters, Cheryl Brown and Peggy Mikolich and her four dogs, Lizzy, Buster, Max and JJ. Funeral was held June 20, 2016 at the Flower Mound Family Funeral Home.

Margaret J. Zgonc, 93, of Ely, passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016 in Ely.
Margie was born in Ely on September 19, 1922, the 13th child of Joseph and Barbara Markovich and was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely.
She is survived by many loving nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law Olga Markovich.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Frank Zgonc and special friend John Marinsek. Also by her sisters: Joan Buccowich, Barbara Dineen Schonheider, Millie Griffin, Mary Rebol and Annie Cherne; brothers: Steve, Joseph, Albert, Matty, Julius and John. As the youngest and last survivor of her siblings, Margie became the heart that her family called home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Essentia Health East Range Hospice. Condolences may be sent to Kathy Nieman, 383 Sunset Road, Ely, MN 55731.
Mass of Christian burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with Rev. Fr. Bill Skarich as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

Louis P. Marinello, 81, Thief River Falls, MN formerly of Babbitt, MN died peacefully on Saturday, June 25, 2016 at his home with his family at his side.
A gathering time for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, June 29,2016 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Memorial Service at 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will be at the Ely Cemetery in Ely, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117, Veterans Of Foreign Wars Post #2793 and Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard.
Louis Paul Marinello was born November 12,1934 in Buhl, MN to Louis J. and Margaret (Lambert) Marinello. He graduated from Keewatin High School in 1953 where he participated in football, basketball and baseball and was named Best Athlete, Iron Range Conference and was named to the North-South All Stars.
Louis entered into service with the United States Army on August 14, 1957 and served with both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, and was Honorably Discharged on August 13, 1959.
Louis was married to Patricia Judnick from 1961 until her death in 1975. To this union four children were born: Michael, Cynthia, Linda and Patrick.
Louis and Sharon Henry were married on February 23, 1977 on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.
Louis was employed by Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt for 31 years until it closed in 1986 and LTV Steel Corporation in Hoyt Lakes for 9 years retiring in 1999.
Louis loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting and fIshing. Following retirement, he did extensive traveling all over the world and the United States. He enjoyed wintering in Florida and Arizona for the past 8 years. Louis lived life to the fullest, had a great sense of humor, had fun wherever he went, and always kept a positive attitude. He was a man of his word.
Louis is survived by his wife, Sharon, and his children, Michael (Rebecca), Biloxi, MS, Cynthia (Mark) Raines, Kansas City, MO, Linda Erkkila, Northfield, MN, Patrick, Thief River Falls; stepchildren: Michael Franks, Salinas, CA, David (Patricia) Franks, Austin, TX, Renee (Denzil) Quick, Phoenix, AZ; 8 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Louis was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Patricia.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

Zane Ruark Kenig, 22, daughter of Laura Ruark Kenig and Joey Kenig of Ely, bringer of light, artist, dancer, writer, devoted friend, deep thinker, asker of questions, lover of beauty, singer of music, and beautiful soul, passed away on May 13, 2016. Life will never be the same without her loving presence.
Family and friends gathered in her honor in St Louis, MO, Philadelphia, PA, Santa Rosa, CA, Scotty Creek Beach, CA, Santa Barbara, CA and Ely.
A scholarship fund has been established in Zane’s name at State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, CA, 2285 Las Positas Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93105

Bonnie A. Clayton, 40, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2016. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Agnes M. Gorshe, 100, of Ely, passed away early Monday morning. April 25, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center.
She was born December 5, 1915 to Joseph and Rose (Franzel) Pucel in Ely. Agnes was a graduate of Ely Memorial High School. A few years later, she married Albin M Gorshe. They lived in Savoy Location for a few years until they moved, house included, to Madison Street.
Agnes was a very talented chef/baker and meticulous homemaker. Her poticas were in great demand. She enjoyed reading and was quite adept in arts and crafts as were many ladies of her unique generation. She was a life-long member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church.
Agnes is survived by her son, Thomas (Rochelle), grandsons Todd (Christine) and Matt (Catherine), brother Dr. Robert Pucel and many nephews, nieces and their children.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albin in 2001, brothers Joseph (Agnes) and John (Adele), sisters Mary (Michael) Klobuchar, Rose (John) Rom, Frances (Peter) Kotzian, Angela (William) Bunney and many other relatives.
We thank Aunt Adele, posthumously; Justine Carlson and Dennis Toms for all the help they extended to Agnes during the difficult times she had in coping with severe arthritis while still living at home. We also thank the staff at BWCC for the wonderful care they extended to Agnes for the two years she was there.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 8, 2016, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Inurnment will be at the Ely Cemetery. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Charlotte J. Smith, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

There will be a Graveside Service for Christine Clare Zakraisek at the Ely Cemetery on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Bill Skarich of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church officiating. She passed away on June 18, 2016 at age 102.

A Mass will be held on Thursday, July 21 for Helen Kuehlman at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely at 11 a.m. Helen passed away on Dec. 29, 2015 in California.

Miles J. Gardiepy, 88, of Ely, passed away on July 16, 2016 at Essentia Health- St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with a visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.