Obituaries

We are sad to announce that the grandest lady we knew, Muriel Kovall, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side in Babbitt, MN on January 8, 2018.
She was born on August 14, 1928 in Watertown, South Dakota.
She is survived by her daughter Dianne (Harold) Breffle, son-in-law Ronald Jokela; grandchildren Justin (Ryan) Jokela, Mathew (Tara) Jokela, Kyle (Jessica) Breffle and Celeste (Zac) Bradish; and great-grandchildren Hayden Jokela, Avery Bradish and Baby Bradish (due in July).
Muriel was preceded in death by her husband Mathew Kovall, Jr. and daughter Ramona Jokela.
Private family services will be held at the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Holly A. Anderson, 62, began her new journey on Dec. 22, 2017. Her wish to return to Minnesota for one last visit was briefly granted. She was born in Virginia, MN on May 19, 1955. A New York resident since 1981, Holly’s selfless volunteer work at Ground Zero ultimately claimed her life. An accomplished poet and artist, her work is in museum library collections internationally. Holly will be forever cherished by her husband Jonathan Kane, daughter Lucy, mother Margaret (Pulis) Anderson, sister Carrie (Tom Snyder), brother Scott (Paige), nieces and nephews; Alex, Madeline, Gunnar and Leigh; brothers-in-law Anthony and Nicholas Kane; and countless friends around the world. She was preceded in death by her father Everett. A celebration of Holly’s life will be held on Jan. 20 at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church, 9998 90th St. South, Cottage Grove MN. Visitation 1-2 followed by ceremony and refreshments. Memorials to the family.

Norris Fagerlund, 94, long-time resident of Devils Lake, ND died on Monday, January 8, 2018 at CHI St. Alexius Devils Lake Hospital.
Norris was born on October 19, 1923, on a farm near Rolla, North Dakota, the son of Oliver and Rosie (Disrud) Fagerlund. He received his schooling in Rolla, graduating in May 1941. He attended North Dakota State University for two years before joining the Navy, serving in the western Pacific as an Ensign and Lieutenant (jg) on a minesweeper, the USS Devastator. His squadron of minesweepers cleared the mines for the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa; he also did anti-submarine convoy duty.

Mary Jane Davis, 91, died Thursday, January 4, 2018, in Ely,
Minnesota. Mary was born September 29, 1926 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Bill
and Mayme Clendening. She graduated from Carlton High School in 1944 and
actively participated in several music groups. She was a member of the
Paine Memorial Presbyterian Church. Mary graduated from the College of St.
Scholastica Department of Nursing in 1949 and worked as an R.N. at St.
Mary's Hospital in Duluth for 27 years. She was a member of Woodland United
Methodist Church and the Twin Ports Genealogical Society.
In 1949 she married Lawrence Edward "Pete" Davis and spent the
next several years raising their family in Duluth. She was a loving mother
to her children and grandchildren. Music was a big part of her life - she
was a church organist, pianist, and sang in the choir. Mary excelled in her

Kim Tina Von Wald, 58, of Babbitt went to her heavenly home peacefully on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from her home in Babbitt.
Kim was born in Ely, MN on November 20, 1959 to Bruce and Judith (Aho) Von Wald and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Babbitt.
She participated in the Special Olympics as a gymnast and attended Family Camp at Lake Geneva in Alexandria, MN every summer. Kim embodied a positive attitude about things in life and always had good things to say about others.
She attended Babbitt Assembly of God Church where she especially loved attending Sunday School, rarely missing a Sunday. Kim loved her Sunday School teacher Laurie Rasmussen and special friends Steve Rasmussen, Cheryl Tuomela, Cindy and Paul “Bones” Hellersted, Scott and Cindy Edgett, Debbie and Arnold Nelson, Renne Sellman, Jean Taylor, and Pastor Ben and Beth Morgan.

Luella “Lu” Irene (Laine) Borman, 77, passed away December 22, 2017 in Robbinsdale, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband Don; daughter Dawn Marie; parents Toivo and Lyyli (Laakko) Laine; and siblings Loretta Borman, Milton and Myron Laine. Survived by daughter Audra (Brian) Bird; grandchildren Alisha (Thomas) Fox, and Paul Bird; great-grandchildren Evaydrian and Landon Bird; and brother Dave (Kathy) Laine. She was born and raised in Ely and graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1958. She was employed over 30 years with Johnson Brothers Liquor Company. Her warm smile will be greatly missed. Memorial Service for Lu will be held Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 2 p.m. with visitation beginning at 12 Noon at Washburn-McReavy Seman Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd, Coon Rapids MN 55433.

Christine Louise (Koprivnik) Tezak of Ely, 94, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Dec. 25, 2017 at Carefree Living in Babbitt, MN.
Christine was born on October 22, 1923 in Ely to Andrew and Frances (Cesen) Koprivnik. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School. During WW II she worked for the Air Transport Command as a cryptographer in Washington, DC from 1942-1945. She met the love of her life, Edward Anton Tezak at the Ely Sweet Shop. They were united in marriage on August 14, 1946 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Duluth, MN. They started their family in Duluth and moved to Ely in 1952, where in 1957, they built a family home, raising seven children. Christine resided there until 2013 when she moved to Carefree Living in Babbitt.

Bernard F. Herrmann, 75, born in Alsace, France on Feb. 19, 1942, died in Ely, Minnesota on Friday, December 22, 2017.
During his lifetime Bernard received many honors and titles, including: “Chevalier Du Merite” – Knighted by the French Government for Culinary Excellence, “Maitre Cuisinier de France” – Master Chef of France since 1979, Member of the Order of “Grand Orient de France” – Free Mason, Former Secretary General “Academie Culinaire de France” (US Chapter), Former Vice President and Commander “Commanderie de Cordons Bleus de France” (US Chapter), Member of the Societe Culinaire Philanthropique, Former Vice President of the “Culinary Vatel Club,” Former Professor of the Culinary Arts “Ecole LeNotre” – Paris and Houston Texas.
From 1961 to 1963, Bernard served in the French Army as a Sahara Rat Patrol during the France/Algerian War.

Lorraine Klobuchar, 65, of Eveleth, passed away on December 6, 2017 in her home. Lorraine was born on June 5, 1952 in Ely and graduated from Ely Memorial High School. She attended UMD and graduated in 1974 with a teaching degree. She taught at Hibbing Jr. High until her retirement. Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Lucille Volk of Ely. Surviving are her son Kyle Klobuchar, currently serving in the military in Texas; her ex-husband and friend Rick Klobuchar and her six sisters ; Patty (Jay) Fortner, Isle; Mary Crystal (Newton) Nickerson, Ely; Donna (Bernie) Scufsa, Cottage Grove; Kathy Meier (Jim ), Babbitt; Stephanie (Bruce) Danielson, Plymouth; Francine (John) Hanson, Ham Lake. A celebration of Lorraine’s life will be scheduled at a later date. Cards or memorials may be sent to: Family of Lorraine Klobuchar, 2032 Chippewa Shores, Ely, MN 55731.

Mayme J. Peranich, 95, died on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Stoney River Memory Care, Marshfield.
Funeral services will be held at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Rembs Funeral Home, Marshfield, where the visitation will be from 2:00 pm on Wednesday until service time.
Mayme was born on August 17, 1922 in Ely, Minnesota to John F. and Angela (Kavschek) Germek and was a graduate of Ely High School. She was united in marriage to John S. Peranich in 1942 in Milwaukee. He died on May 11, 2012.
Shortly after their marriage Mayme and her husband lived in New Berlin where they resided until retirement. They then returned to Ely and resided on Burntside Lake where they enjoyed the outdoors being on the water, fishing, and mom also loved to entertain with family and friends. Mayme also liked traveling with John and they frequented the Caribbean, enjoying scuba diving.