Obituaries

Audrey Frances Storrs (Pechek), 82, Bemidji MN, died 12/3/2020 at her residence.

Adolph B. Austreng, 87, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Ann Franz, former longtime resident of Babbitt, MN, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing, MN. Mary Ann was born on November 18, 1945 in Mobridge, SD to Carl Arthur and Frieda (Nies) Larson. As a child, the family moved to Emily, MN where Mary Ann eventually attended nursing school and also met her husband, Conrad. Mary Ann and Conrad made their residence in Babbitt, MN where she had many fond memories of friends and the community. Mary Ann was a nurse for 30 years at Ely Bloomenson Hospital. She had two children, Tom and Lisa and two grandchildren, Mason and Zeb. Mary Ann enjoyed watching and attending rodeos. She loved spending time with family and especially her grandsons. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; Carl and Frieda, husband; Conrad, brother; John Larson and nephew; Jesse James Larson.

Donald Charles Fink, born on November 23, 1948, passed away peacefully in the company of his family on December 3. He was a beloved father, husband, and friend to so many. He is survived by his daughters, Kallie and Lacey Fink. Please keep him alive in your hearts.

Joyce Irene Saisa, 80, of Virginia passed away on Saturday, November 28th, 2020 from complications with pneumonia at Essentia Health - Virginia.
Joyce was born on July 29th, 1940 in Ely, Minnesota to Walter and Martha Jarvi. Joyce graduated from high school in 1958, attended junior college and then received her certificate for laboratory technician while attending school in Minneapolis. She married Gerald Saisa at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely on February 13th, 1960. They raised two sons, Jim and Steve.
Joyce had a deep passion for the outdoors and especially her family. She loved fishing, hiking, canoeing, foraging blueberries and creating beautiful flower gardens. She was a very warm, patient and kind-hearted person. She always made an extra effort to make family feel special and loved; she will be greatly missed.

Lillian Susan Ahlstrand, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at Edgewood Brainerd. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 1 pm at Heritage Assemblies of God in Baxter, MN and visitation will take place 1 hour prior. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Lillian was born to Waino and Saina (Rosenlof) Aho on December 09, 1934 in Brantwood, WI. She married William Ahlstrand on February 17, 1951 in Ely, MN and together they had 3 children, Yvonne (David) Trugman, William Jr, and Maralee (Paul) Gazelka. They were married for 69 years and blessed with 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was a member of Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. Lillian was also a registered nurse in Viriginia, MN for over 25 years. She loved sewing, crocheting, reading, baking, cooking, and canning.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel-Baxter. www.brenny.com

It is with heavy hearts that we share that Bonnie (Veronica) Zupancich, 80, passed away November 25, 2020. Born February 26, 1940 to Louis and Mary Deyak. She was the youngest of nine children and was a lifelong resident of Ely, MN. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She loved to serve others with her hospitality. Anyone who came into Bonnie’s home or cabin were welcomed with open arms and love. She enjoyed reading, playing cards, traveling, cooking and baking. Walnut potica and apple strudel were her specialties. She loved to spend time with her family and friends. She was a gift to many. Her faith, family and friends were everything to her.
Bonnie is survived by her loving husband, James of 60 years, son James Jr. (Andrea), daughters Stacy (Steve) Nelson, and Kelly (Mike) Mavetz; her sisters: Marge Mich and Helen Koschak.

Sheryll Ann (Sjoberg) Baier, born on July 27th, 1947 to John “Willie” and LaVerne “Lovey” (Ranta) Sjoberg, passed away peacefully on November 24th, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center, after eight plus years of battling cancer.
She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1965, and married Robert Baier Jr. on October 9th, 1965 in Austin, MN. Sherry resided in Ely, MN for most of her life. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband Bob of 55 years, her four children Bob (Sandy) Baier of Ely, MN, Janelle (John) Huntbatch of Ely, MN, Dan Baier of Moose Lake, MN and David (Lissa Roberts) Baier of Hibbing, MN; her seven grandchildren, Janae, Bryan, Jordan, Brittany, Sydney, Jace and Blake and her two great-grandchildren Bennett and Henry; and her two brothers Greg (Anna) Sjoberg and Gerald Sjoberg.

Andrew Baker Sr., age 88, passed away on November 21, 2020. He was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 3, 2020 to the late Andrew Jackson Baker and Mary Josephine Posnanski. He was a US Army veteran who served in the Korean conflict. He is survived by his children, Andrew and Cynthia; grandchildren, Andrew, Derrick, Josh, Angie, Brandi, Michael, Christina, Misty, Kevin, Kyle, T.J.; great grandchildren, Peyton, Alyssa, Gary, Bralny, Josiah, Naomie, Jersey, Logan, June, Penelope, Landen, Carson, Ashlee, Aiden, Careena, Deanna, Gia, Calie, Carter, Melia, and Chase; many other friends and family.

Bryan L. Hoffmeister, age 60, of Wyoming, Minnesota, passed away, Monday, November 16, 2020 at his home. Bryan was born January 9, 1960 in Elmhurst, IL to William and Ann (Schelde) Hoffmeister. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1978 and completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota. Bryan enjoyed many aspects of mechanical engineering with a strong interest in the field of aerospace engineering.
In 1978, Bryan enlisted in the MN Army Reserves and spent three years in Germany where he was in the position of military police. In 1991, he re-enlisted and then attended Officer Candidate School for the Army Reserves and became a Second Lieutenant.