Obituaries

SJOBERG (Seliga), Ethel M., age 89 passed away on Friday, February 28 at Guardian Angels Care Center, Elk River.
Born on October 20, 1930 in Ely to Steve and Anna Seliga. Ethel was the last surviving of 12 children. She was a longtime Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools in District 696. Ethel is survived by son, Robert of Ramsey, MN; daughters, Cindy Johnson of Lino Lakes, MN, and Shelley (Todd) Baumgartner of Little Falls, MN; granddaughters, Janna (Isaac) Thoma and Kallie Baumgartner (fiancé Kyle Gapinski);​ grandsons, Joel and Mark Johnson; great grandchildren, Quinn, Lillian and Dannica; many relatives and good friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Sjoberg in 1982. Per her wishes, private services. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Alzheimer’s Foundation. www.cremationsocietyofmn.com

Roger D. Week, 67, of Babbitt passed away Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Roger was born on September 4, 1952 in Bemidji, MN to Knute and Agnes (Hanson) Week and grew up in Blackduck, MN. where he graduated from high school. He worked for Reserve Mining Company, Erie Mining Company and as a mechanic for Wright county in Buffalo, MN.
He was the Mayor of Babbitt and worked as a Street Supervisor for the city. He also served six years in the Minnesota National Guard and the Army reserve.
Roger loved hunting, motorcycle riding and spending time with family and friends. He was a charter member of the Iron Cross Motorcycle Club. He served as a snowmobile instructor and a firearms instructor for the State of Minnesota, and received a certificate from Gov. Rudy Perpich for this wonderful accomplishment.

Marcella Caroline Gardiepy, 90, of Ely, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely.
She was born on December 1, 1929 to Steve and Anna Grahek. She was raised in Ely and graduated from Ely Memorial High School.
She married Miles on September 25th, 1954 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband Miles on July 16, 2016; her parents; her brothers Ted and Albert and three sisters, Dorothy in infancy, Ann Stefanich and Mary Grahek; sisters-in-law Josephine Grahek, Donna Grahek, Angie Grahek and brother-in-law Joe Stefanich.
Marcella is survived by her children: Maryellen Gardiepy of Naples Florida, Thomas Gardiepy of Naples Florida and Judy Rupp of Phoenix Arizona, (2) grandchildren Amanda and Ashley Rupp also of Phoenix; brother Rudy of Virginia, MN and several nieces and nephews.
A service will be held at a later date.

Andre Louis Widmer, 84, originally of Switzerland, passed away peacefully at Carefree Living in Ely on February 19, 2020.
Andre is survived by his daughter Jacqueline, son-in -law Christoph, grandchildren Alexandra and Natalie, brother Hans with sister-in-law Doris and their families in Switzerland and Canada, brother Oswald with sister-in -law Ursula, nephews Jean-Pierre and Andre as well as many longtime friends throughout the world.
Andre was born June 4th, 1935 in Zofingen, Switzerland. He was the second of four boys to his parents Arnold and Rosa Widmer-Kaempf. He lost his oldest brother Rene in his early 20’s. He met and in 1959 married Dollo Wohlwend and moved to Cape Town South Africa in 1964. There they had one daughter, Jacqueline and after 4 years he moved the family to Milwaukee, WI for professional reasons.

Grant Allen Olsen, 83, died peacefully at his home in Babbitt, MN on Saturday, February 22, 2020.
He was born February 26, 1936 in Two Harbors, MN to Gudrun (Knudson) and Johannes Olsen. He was the youngest of eight children; seven boys and one girl. His sister Helen was not pleased her parents brought another boy home from the hospital and she chose to call him Allen. From then on he went by Allen to family and friends and only later in life did people begin calling him Grant.
Allen graduated Two Harbors High School in 1954 and went on to get his electrical journeymen’s license which began his life-long career as an Electrician on the Iron Range.

Martin Bruce Starkovich passed away on December 11, 2019 in Clayton NC at the age of 71. Bruce was born on January 2, 1948 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Martin Joseph and Emerald Tast Starkovich. He grew up in Babbitt, Minnesota. His mother passed away at a young age after which his father married Ellen Wilson who lovingly filled the role of mother for much of Bruce's life. He was a 1966 graduate of Babbitt High School. Following high school he proudly served 4 years in the United States Navy.

Bruce was a machinist by trade and avid outdoor enthusiest in his leisure time. He enjoyed hiking, biking, canoeing and especially running. He completed numerous races including marathons and triathlons and shared his love of running with others through coaching.

Marilyn Jean Misch (Muhvich), 82, beloved mother, sister and friend was called to her eternal resting place on Friday, February 7, 2020.
She entered this world on Wednesday, October 27, 1937, in Ely, MN, born to John and Mary Muhvich. She was preceded in death by her soulmate and loving husband, Allen Misch, MD.
She is survived by daughters, Kathryn Newman (Karl), Patricia Mackay, Jeanne Parker (Douglas); her son, David (Debora); five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Sandy McNeley; and her brothers, Michael Muhvich, and John Muhvich. Marilyn was a devoted Catholic and loved her faith and church family.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, February 15, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 12500 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122. The graveside service followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery

Charles “Chuck” Vesel passed away February 15th, 2020 at Fairview Range Medical Center, Hibbing, with his family at his side.
Chuck was born to Ann (Merhar) and John Vesel in Ely, MN on December 28th, 1933. He graduated from Ely High School, attended Ely Community College, until enlisting in the United States Army serving 2 years in the U.S. and Japan. Upon return, he graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in 1961 as an Electrical Engineer. During his time in Milwaukee he met Susan Mason and fell in love. They were married December 30th, 1960 in St. Louis, MO. They started their family in Knoxville, TN where he was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Chuck, Susan, and family moved to Hibbing in 1964 where he worked for McKee Engineering and a was founding partner in NORAMCO Engineering.

Mary Wachter Smith, 92, of Elkton, daughter of the late William and Alberta Madigan, left this life quietly on Thursday, February 13, 2020. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death first by the love of her life, Kenneth A. Wachter, then her late-in-life husband, Ralph H. Smith. She also lost a daughter, Lori Ann Russo, to cancer.
Mary was born in Quincy, IL on February 26, 1927. She spent a memorable childhood there and graduated from Quincy High School in 1944.
She is survived by two daughters, Janet Kavanaugh (Bruce) of Elkton, VA, Barbara Rothe (Gary) of Springfield, NH, and a stepdaughter, Kathy Norris, of Sunrise Beach, MO. She also leaves four grandchildren, Keith, Todd, Kristin, and Lindsey, seven great-grandchildren, and four nephews.

Joel Adamic, formerly of Ely, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020.