Obituaries

Evelyn Marie Kivipelto Groe passed away on November 3, 2021 with her nieces Barbara Litchfield, Liisa Lamppa, Liisa Hill, Mary Zupancich and Becky Gaulke by her side.
She was born on March 9, 1930 in Ely, Minnesota to Andrew and Mary Kivipelto. Evelyn was married to Richard E. Groe in December of 1959. They made their home in the Minneapolis area. Pride in her Finnish heritage and the love of Burntside Lake brought the couple to Ely every summer.
After graduating from St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota, she embarked on a teaching career, flight attendant for Capitol Airlines and retired as an Executive from Control Data.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Richard; her siblings Irma Riikola (Arnold), Oiva Kivipelto (Marge), Aimo Kivipelto (Lota), and Ruth Mikich (Arden).
She is survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews and bother in law Jim Groe (Betty).
A celebration of life was held in Woodbury, Minnesota.

Julia Puzel, 100, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dennis L. Minier, 62, of Ely passed on Sunday, November 7, 2021. He went to the home plate in the sky.
Dennis had worked at Ely Northland Market for 18 years, and was most proud of umpiring baseball and softball for over 40 years in Ely and across the Iron Range. He had also refereed football and basketball games.
Survivors include his true love Sue Schroeder of Ely, sisters Debra Minier of Floodwood, Minnesota, brothers Daniel (Linda), Michael (Deb), and Edward all of Ely, Minnesota, and numerous nieces and nephews. Proceed in death by his parents.
Per Dennis’s wishes he request no services and no celebration of life.
Cremation entrusted with Kerntz Funeral Home.

Jeremy Boettcher, 28, of Ely, passed away on Monday, November 1, 2021 in Virginia. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Joshua Ruoho, 34, of Ely, passed away in St. Cloud. MN on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Doris E. Nelson, 85, passed away at the Boundary Waters Care Center on November 2, 2021. Doris was born in Northome, MN on June 19, 1936 to Ed and Evelyn Bernath.

Doris was involved in Lincoln PTA, Meals on Wheels, American Legion Auxiliary 248, and Grace Lutheran Church. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, picking blueberries, and spending time at the lake with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Doyle, children, Loren (Pauline), Mark (Gwen), Marie (Tim Sladek), and Chris. Also 4 grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be at Grand Ely Lodge on Saturday, November 13th from 1-4 pm.

James J. Quigley III, 85, of San Diego CA, passed away on October 27,2021. Jim was born April 17, 1936 in Philadelphia, PA.
He was preceded in death by his father, James J. Quigley Jr., mother, Helen Wilson, step father, Frank Wilson (former music teacher at Ely High School).
He graduated from Ely High School in 1954. Then he graduated from the University of Minnesota with degrees in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. He later received a Master's degree in Mathematics from St. Mary's College, Winona MN.
He worked for Westinghouse, IBM and Hewlett Packard.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann (Taylor), children James IV (wife, Judy), John (wife, Lori), Ann Graham (husband, Bill), Kathleen Tanaka (husband, Don), Suzanne Wilson (husband, Riley). Also his grandchildren: Dakota, Joshua, Montana, Leyna, Keynan, Matthew, Makaela, Grace, Caden, Jenna, Alyssa and Riley.

Frank Jerome Akins, 86, formerly of Ely, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Vermillion Senior Living in Tower, MN.
He was born May 4, 1935 in Duluth, MN to Herbert and Angela (Deyak) Akins. Frank attended high school in Two Harbors and Ely, graduating in 1954 from Ely High School. On June 22, 1957 he married Josephine Zaic.
Frank went on to work for Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt, MN as a blaster from 1955-1986 and LTV Steel from 1988-1997. In-between jobs he taught driver’s training and drove school bus and also coached girls basketball.
Frank and his father Herb picked pine boughs and Josephine made wreaths for 20 years every fall. Frank and Josephine also delivered the Minneapolis Star Tribune and USA Today to local stores in the Ely area.

Thomas R. Pearson (The Bear), 83, of Isabella passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at his home. He was born July 11, 1938, in Minneapolis, to Ellis and Vivian (Thomas) Pearson. He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School, class of 1956, attended UMD and was in the Air National Guard.
He married his beautiful bride Elizabeth Ann Mosack in 1962 in Duluth. They lived in Illinois and Minneapolis before moving their family to “God’s Country” in 1983, where they owned and operated the Stony River Bait Shop and Café for the past 38 years.
Tom was a great conversationalist, storyteller and educator. He always lent a helping hand when someone was in need. He met many, many dear friends through the café and many people loved to stop in and see Tom and Liz over the years. What started out as a stop for something to eat, directions or needing help turned into lifelong friendships. Some were like family to Tom. He was always happy when “The Boys” were coming up.

Katherine Louise Lenich, 95, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.

Katherine was born November 30, 1925 to Frank and Jennie Telich in Ely, MN. Her parents had emigrated from Yugoslavia and she was a lifelong Ely resident.

She graduated from Ely High School in 1943 third in her class. After high school she found employment with the U.S. Forest Service where she met Frank Lenich. Katherine and Frank were married in 1947 after which they honeymooned at the Kekekabic Cabin.

Katherine loved her home she and Frank built. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed all outdoor activities including cross country skiing and swimming. She also was a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Council. Above all, she enjoyed chatting about Ely and reminiscing with family and friends about the old days. In her later years she wintered in Florida with her sister Jean.