Obituaries

Anne Krmpotich, 59, of North Oaks passed away peacefully at home on June 29, 2018. With her were her daughters she adored, Katherine Marolt and Abigail Marolt, and her spouse, the love of her life and best friend for over 40 years, Dr. Robert Marolt. She is also survived by her mother Constance, sister Patricia Carlson, and brothers Michael and Mark. She was preceded in death by her father Frank.
Anne grew up in Ely MN, and developed an early love of nature, animals, sled dog racing and fishing. Later in life she took up tennis and discovered a whole new world of activity, competition, and a wonderful network of friends. She and Bob loved to travel together, and she always made sure that the next adventure was planned well in advance. Her love of reading was passed on to her girls.

Allen Kosir passed away on June 28, 2018 while at Bethany Skilled Care in Fargo, ND. Allen worked for 30 years at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park and enjoyed woodworking, hunting, and fishing. Allen married Mary Cazin on August 7, 1976 and they have one son Michael (Kristen) and grandson Colin. Surviving siblings are Susan (Jerel) Lamoureux, Martin (Marilyn) Kosir, Vance Kosir, and Lorene (Scott) Johnson. He had many good friends and a number of nieces and nephews. He will be missed.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 2 at 11 a.m. at St .Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, MN.
Family arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Cisa Amitrano, 95, of Babbitt, passed away Thursday June 27, 2018, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
Narcisa Bandoni was born on November 3, 1922, in Viareggio, Italy, the daughter of Maria and Alessandro Bandoni. She had many happy memories of growing up on the Mediterranean Sea and spending time with her sister there in that coastal region.
Cisa met and married John Amitrano during WWII while he was stationed in Italy. She came to the United States in 1947, and lived with her husband and infant son in El Paso, Texas, while he remained in the Army until the early ’50s. At that time her husband was stationed in Korea and Cisa and her children moved to Ely, where she could be closer to her husband’s family. In 1958, they moved to Babbitt, MN, where Cisa lived until going into the nursing home in later life.

Karon Kay (Stone) Krause, Show Low, Arizona, was released from her seven year battle with multiple cancers to meet her Lord and Savior on the evening of June 24, 2018. Karon passed peacefully with her husband Duane Krause at her bed side. Hospice Compassus nurses and staff monitored and assisted making her comfortable at life’s end.
Karon was born in July of 1943, born Karon Kay Stone in Downey, California where her father built Liberty ships during WWII. Upon war’s end the family move back home to Wall, South Dakota. Karon lived one block from the famous Wall Drug Store and worked there from grade school through high school. She was active on the cheer squad and other school activities.

Family and friends - please join us for the
Funeral mass for
Mary Mavetz
2pm on Thursday, July 5
at St. Anthony’s
Catholic Church
Help our family to celebrate
a life well lived and the
end of an era
at 6pm at the Long branch
in Winton on July 5.
We would love to hear your stories to help us honor her with joy
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Nancy “Sue” Kelley, 77, of Babbitt passed away at her residence Thursday, June 21, 2018. She was born April 26, 1941 to Frank and Norma (Perry) Wiler.
Sue grew up in Hill City, MN and married Sherman Kelley on Dec. 12, 1960. They moved to rural Babbitt and raised their family. Sue loved to camp and fish and they would travel with friends and neighbors to different camp grounds with their kids. Leech Lake was an annual gathering for their family. She also loved to read.
Sue is survived by daughter Jackie Kelley of Hastings, MN; grandchildren Anna and Sam Kelley of Duluth; sister Cindy (Bill) Holm of Grand Rapids, MN; brothers Earl Lamke of Buhl and Dennis Wiler of Forest Lake, MN; numerous nieces and nephews; neighbors and family friends Rachel and Ben Thomatz.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Sherman in 2013 and son Steven in 2008; and brother Frank in 2016.

Mary L. Whitmarsh, 71, of Port Byron, IL passed away June 7, 2018, at her home.
A celebration of life was held noon-5 p.m. Saturday, June 16, 2018, at Falcon Farms, 2507 214th St. N. Port Byron. Memorials may be made to the family. Quad Cities Cremation Center is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mary was born Aug. 10, 1946, in Bemidji, Minn., the daughter of Lee Stahl and Evelyn Lossing Tuomala. She was raised by her mother and stepfather, Roy Tuomala Sr.
Mary retired from Addus Healthcare in the accounting department. She enjoyed baking, crocheting, quilting and everything Betty Boop. Mary loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Jerry Dean Thoren, 73, of Ely passed away at her home on Saturday, June 23, 2018. She was born March 8 1945. She was preceded in death by her great granddaughter Kennedi Swanson.
Survived by her husband Gerold Thoren; sons: Barney Swanson and Jeremy (Melissa Linn) Swanson; grandchildren: Alex Swanson, Keith Swanson, Josh Grotberg, John (Alyssa LaBarge) Grotberg, Jessica (Cody Robinson) Pikala, Austin (Rose Cavier) Swanson and Ashton Swanson and numerous great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 at First Lutheran Church in Ely at 11 a.m. with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Amber L. Pasanen, 35, of Ely, passed away at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely on Wednesday, June 13, 2018. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dale C. Hegfors, 70, of Ely, MN lost a courageous four year battle with Melanoma. Dale was a longtime employee of Minnetac and retired as a millwright. Dale had a passion for classic cars and was always ready to lend a helping hand.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Severin and Elaine Hegfors. He is survived by siblings: Claire (Chester) Dryke, Lee (Barb) Hegfors and Carrie (Al) Knuutti; nieces: Danielle Dryke and Kim (Ty) Lerum, and nephew Jeremy Hegfors; several cousins and his really wonderful friends.
Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Sat., June 23 at First Presbyterian Church, Ely, MN fellowship at 12:30 and following the service. In lieu of flowers please support Jeremy Hegfors as he rides to support MN cancer research in Dale’s honor: https://chainbreakerride.org/rider/1144.