Obituaries

James F. Anderson, 83, of Ely and Hermantown, walked on after a brief stay at Solvay Hospice in Duluth on April 17, 2022.
He was born on Valentine’s Day 1939, which also was his teenage sister’s birthday – a special bond that carried them through the years as she helped raise him while his mother and father had just begun the grand adventure of starting Echo Tail Lodge on the east arm of Burntside Lake. He was the special surprise in his family, and at 16 when his father died he was thrust too quickly into resort responsibilities that set the stage for how he would face any of life’s hardship and adversity: with a quiet resolve and amiable determination. As her “caboose”, the bond forged with his mother through happy times and hardship remained unbroken with her passing.

Rose Lee Newman, 94, passed away peacefully on April 16, 2022 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
Rose Lee was born in Ely on Oct. 30, 1927 to Joseph and Katherine (Rozich) Peshel. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1945 and received post-secondary education at Ely Junior College. In her youth she worked in the Ely theater and later as a Dental Assistant for Dr. Call and Dr. Skule. She married Walter John Newman on Oct 18, 1952 and shortly thereafter moved to Ashwaubenon near Green Bay, WI. While there she worked as an office clerk in the Brown County Airport. In 1957 they returned to Ely to begin their family. Over the next four years they had 3 boys; Paul, John and Mark.

Barbara Jean Conder, age 69, longtime Ely resident, died Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Edgewood Senior Living in Virginia. She was born June 23, 1952 in Marinette, WI the daughter of TJ and Betty (Boren) Bergan. Barbara was a graduate of Catholic Central High School in Marinette, received her Bachelor of Arts form Concordia, and earned her Master of Theological Studies form the University of Dallas. Barbara married Daniel Conder on October 4, 1975, in Marinette, WI; the couple lived in Cincinnati, Northern Wisconsin, Green Bay, and Ely, Minnesota.

Carol (Wattunen) Przybylski, 89, of Ely passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 , at the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital with her children by her side.
Carol was born on February 12, 1933 in Winton, MN to Gus and Jennie (Johnson) Wattunen. She married her high school sweetheart, the love of her life, Nick Przybylski on November 15, 1952. They were married for 66 years. Carol and Nick enjoyed raising their seven children in Winton, MN. Her family was her greatest accomplishment.
Along with raising her children, she worked at a telephone office as an operator, the Ely Laundromat, at EBCH as a Dietary Aide and at USFS in their Senior Program.
Carol and Nick had a passion for polka dancing and traveled in their RV to attend many polka festivals. They made a countless number of friends over the years. Carol and Nick’s love for polka dancing put a smile on many people’s faces. It was a joy to watch them dance together.

Wynette Leonore “Bunny” Rova, age 86, passed away on April 8, 2022.
Bunny was born in Winton, MN and received her nickname on day one. Her childhood was spent at resorts long gone now–on Newton & Basswood Lakes (currently the BWCA), where her parents were caretakers.
She graduated from Ely HS in 1953 and then U of MN in 1957. She and Ely-ite Bill Rova were married in Aug 1957 at the Americana Lodge on Basswood Lake. They lived in Hibbing and Minnetonka before settling in Plymouth, in a home designed/built by Bill Sr where they raised their 5 sons.
Bunny was a Cub Scout leader, baseball mom and a very active member of the church where she met many lifelong friends. With their boys in school, she remained busy working at Anita Beck’s Reindeer House, Department 56 & Odin.
Her life was full. Knitting was a constant. She kept family, friends, and donation drives supplied with mittens, socks, scarves and sweaters year after year.

Marilyn Brandau, age 90, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Arizona.
She is survived by her children, Karen (Wally) Krause, Michael (Kathy), James (Kathy), and Thomas (Julie), 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lloyd, parents, Frank and Victoria Wesolowski, brothers, Frank, Gene and Ron and sister, Eleanor Bettenhausen.
Marilyn worked as a young lady in Cavett’s Drug Store in Tinley Park where she earned the nickname “Soda Jerk.” She farmed with her husband Lloyd for many years in the Tinley Park area.
A devout Catholic, Marilyn was a longtime member of St. George Catholic Church in Tinley Park and became a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manhattan in 2007 and was very involved in many church functions.

Paul Gaslin Sr, 60, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Shirley Jane (Christopher) Ackerman
April 3, 1935 to March 20, 2022,
Shirley went to her heavenly home on Sunday morning on the first day of spring. She passed peacefully at home of natural causes with the prayers and love of her family.
Shirley was born to Willie and Senia Aurora Christopher and grew up along with her sisters; Vivian, Dorothy and Norma.
Shirley graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a teaching degree. She taught Phy Ed. She married John Paul Ackerman and she moved to Ely with her husband, who was hired as a coach and Phy Ed teacher. They both worked for the Ely school system and raised their young family in Ely. She loved Ely, her friends and her church family at Grace Lutheran. Shirley loved gardening, quilting, crafts, camping and her home on the lake.
She was passionate about raising money for cancer research.
Shirley also worked for the Ely hospital and nursing home in activities later in life.

William "Bill" Palo, 83 , of Ely, passed away o Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Essentia Health- St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangement have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Evelyn Arlene (Hamar) Anderson