Obituaries

Joseph Baltich, born June 22, 1932, passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife of 63 years, Paula Baltich, November 8, 2022. He is survived by wife Paula, children Joseph W. Baltich (Annette), Bernie Baltich(Sally Schulz), and Sue Kittams(Fred). Grandchildren Ben Baltich (Morgan), Zack Baltich(Maggie) and Danny Baltich, Cullen Kittams and Regan Kittams.

Preceded by parents Frank and Mary Baltich, brothers Frank and John, infant brother and sister. He was a Korean War veteran.

Doris K. Adamic, 94, of Ely died October 21, 2022.
She was born in Hibbing, MN to John and Righetta (Vitali) Pagliaccetti on March 13, 1928. She graduated from Chisholm High School in 1946. She was employed as a secretary in the Chisholm schools until she married Gerald (Bud) Adamic on August 28, 1948. They lived in St. Cloud, MN until 1950, then resided in Mahnomen, MN until 1956. In 1956 they moved to Ely, MN where she and Bud resided until their deaths. She and Bud also resided in Mesa, AZ in the winter months from 1981-2010.
She was a kind, loving, gentle woman with the most infectious smile. Doris was a charter member of the Ely Community Hospital Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and a lifetime member of the VFW Auxiliary. She was a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where she served as a Cup Minister.

Calvin Donald Jokela, 74, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Robert “Bob” Akemann, 72, of Babbitt, a proud U.S. veteran, passed away on Thursday, November 3, 2022.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Gary Metcalf, 61, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Clary W. (Trapper) Larson, 88, passed away unexpectedly at his home October 31, 2022.
Clary is survived by his children; Gary (Margie), Robert (Barbara), Diane, and Mary Kay. Also surviving are seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, his brothers; Steve, John, Howard and his sister Audrey, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was born on May 5, 1934 to Irene and Wilfred Larson. His hometown was Washburn, WI where he enjoyed himself the most. A celebration of life is the 19th of November 2022, with visitation at 1 p.m. and the service to follow at 2 p.m. at the Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely, MN.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Carl Stone, 87, proud US Navy Veteran, passed away at his home in Babbitt, Thursday October 27, 2022. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

James “Jimbo” Pryatel, 59, of Hibbing, formerly of Ely, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, September 29, 2022.
He was born on August 14, 1963 to Joseph Patrick Pryatel and Mary Elaine “Bubsy” Leustek. James is survived by his mother, his daughter Destiny, several grandchildren, brother, aunts and cousins. He was preceded in death by his daughter Cortney and father Joseph.
James will be remembered for his contagious smile, infectious laugh, love for others and his beloved dog, Millie.
A service will be held on November 4, 2022. Visitation will start at 1 p.m. Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely, MN.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Robert "Bob" Kovall Jr. was born on July 2, 1947 in Ely, MN and died on October 14, 2022 in Columbia Heights, MN. Bob was raised in Ely, MN where he graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1965. He served in the United States Navy from 1969 - 1973, then moved to Minneapolis where he started a family and began a career with University of Minnesota/Fairview Medical as a Computer Systems Analyst. He retired in 2012 and enjoyed spending time watching soccer and having a few craft beers with his kids, walking his dog Lucy every day, and visiting his hometown of Ely to see his family and go fishing with his cousin Gary.
Bob is preceded in death by his father, Bob Kovall Sr., his mother Dolly, and his brother Stevie. He is survived by his children Kari (Andy), Jill (Duane), Steve (Adrienne), and Danny, their mother Kathy, siblings Patsy, Janice, and Richard, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers.

Jack Ernest Hautala passed away quietly on Friday, October 21, 2022 at the end of a long and happy life.
He is survived by son Acer Jack Hautala of Portsmouth, VA, step-daughter Antoinette (Chris) Kollmer of North Carolina, brother Doug (Barb) Hautala and sister Ernestine (Mike) Forsman. Previous marriages to Sandra Hautala and Dolly McFarland. Jack had eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Jack is preceded in death by parents Elna and Ernest Hautala, daughter Abigail and brother Wiley Hautala.
Jack was a lifelong resident of Ely/Winton. He retired from Minnesota Power after 41 years as the supervisor of the Fall Lake hydroelectric facility. He was an avid aviator, outdoorsman, hunter and fisherman. He remained active outdoors his entire life. Jackpine Bob Cary and Jack co-wrote the book “Bush Pilots - The Old and The Bold.”