Obituaries

John Paul Ackerman, 82, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2014.
He was born on July 1, 1931 in Willmar, MN to Russell and Martha (Berg) Ackerman. He graduated from Willmar High School in 1949. He excelled in sports throughout college. He attended St. Olaf College. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and served four years aboard the USS Lake Champlain CVA-39. He then graduated from St. Cloud University and began his career as a physical education/health teacher and coached football, basketball, track and wrestling at Pillager and Ellendale with two football championships.
He was married to Shirley (Christopher) for 57 years. They lived in Buffalo, MN then settled in Ely where they raised their children and he continued teaching and coaching. He enjoyed many outdoor activities.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ivan and Robert, sister Margaret and beloved son Bill.

Bonnie Callender, 82, of Ely, passed away on Friday, March 28, 2014 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 19, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Praise Fellowship Church in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dayne Garrett Paul, 60, of Ely, passed away at his residence on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 4, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Margaret Ann (Novak) Rozman, passed away on March 14, 2014 at the age of 63, in Reno, NV.
She attended Vermillion Community College to earn an Associate of Arts degree.
On February 25, 1970, she married Daniel Rozman in Ely, MN. Marge and Dan worked and lived in the Ely area until 1988, when they moved to Spring Creek, NV.
Survivors include her two children; siblings: Patsy Purkat of Gilbert, MN, Sue (Lloyd) Jones of Virginia, MN, Bill (Vicki) Novak of Gilbert, MN, Bob (Rosie) Novak of Lakeville, MN and Cookie (Ed) Lemke of Brooklyn Park, MN; and others.
She was preceded in death by Dan, her husband of 43 years who passed away on July 23, 2013.

Betty R. Mattila, 96, of Ely, passed away at the Boundary Waters Care Center on Monday, March 24, 2014.
Betty was born on August 7, 1917 in Ely to John and Julia (Peterson) Purdy.
Betty was married to Robert Mattila and they had three children. Betty liked to play bingo, travel, socialize, enjoyed being with her family and the last years in the nursing home she had to have a window seat because of her love of the outdoors.
She’s survived by her  children: Roberta Stepan, Nancy Lakner, Jack (Joanne) Mattila, grandchildren: Lori Van Der Sluys, Barb Graham, Jodi Lakner, Barney (Sandy) Lakner, Denise (Robert) Devyak, Dean Mattila; great grandchildren: Jasper, Nicolaas and Christien Van Der Sluys, Nicole (John) Miller, Matthew and Kaitlyn Lakner, Cody and Kyle Lakner, Brandy and Bryce Devyak, and Buddy Mattila; and a great great grandchild: Tyler Miller.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Robert; sister: Faith and brother: Jack.

Patrick Baudek, 60, entered Eternal life on Sat., March 15, 2014 at his home in Hartland, WI after a courageous 12 year battle with cancer. Pat was born in Winton, MN. on Dec. 5, 1953. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1972 and the University of Wisconsin, Stout, in 1976.
Pat married Kristine Barwick on December 26, 1980, they raised four children and operated his business C & S Hydronics. Pat was an avid golfer and also loved to travel and spend time with his family.
He is survived by his beloved wife Kristine and children: Jenny (Jason) Van Remmen, Sarah (Dave) Gyles and sons: Matthew R. Baudek and David (Amanda) Baudek; grandchildren: Hailey, Emma, Aidan and Giada; his parents: Mathew and Rita Baudek; brothers: Mathew (Marie) Baudek, Jerome and Tom Baudek; sisters: Janice (Craig) Beyer and Judy (Martin) Husar and numerous cousins.

Charles Dale “Chummy” Rolando, 83, passed into the Lord’s hands on Friday, March 7, 2014 at Legacy House in Ocala, FL, surrounded by his loving family.
Charles was born October 22, 1930 in Ely, MN the son of James and Ellen (Toutloff) Rolando. He grew up on Shagawa Lake and graduated from Ely Memorial High School.  He was an outstanding high school athlete participating in football and track but excelled in basketball and American Legion Baseball.  
On August 30, 1950 he married his high school sweetheart Charlene Edith Pregl. After living in Minneapolis for a short time the young couple moved to Babbitt, MN in 1952 where Charles began his career with Reserve Mining Company. In 1955 they moved to Silver Bay and completed his career in 1986 after Reserve Mining Company closed its doors.      

Louis M. “Louie” Benko, 76, of Richfield, MN died on Sunday, March 16, 2014 at his home.  He was born September 7,1937 in Ely to Louis and Ann (Skala) Benko and raised here.
Louie was a retired Wayzata Public Schools principal. He loved to golf, fish and spend time at his “Happy Place”-the cabin in Ely, with family and friends. He loved woodworking and was everyone’s handyman.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary, and his parents, Ann and Louis Benko.

Thomas “Tom” J. Pechek, 62, of Ely, passed away after his battle with cancer on Thursday, March 13, 2014 at his home, with his family at his side.
Tom was born on January 16, 1952 in Ely to Louis and Charlotte (Paris) Pechek. He graduated from Ely High School in 1970. He later went to Hibbing Community College and graduated from the nursing program. Tom was a nurse at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital for 25 years.
Tom is survived by his wife: Nora, their daughter: Kristy (Tony) Cummings, grandchildren: Chloe and Anthony, brothers: Louis (Monica) Pechek and Mike (Valarie) Pechek and numerous nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Ann Howell, age 81, passed away March 11, 2014 at the St Cloud Hospital after a long illness.
 Mary was born May 8, 1932 in Ely, MN to the late Louis and Mary (DeBeltz) Glatch. She was a miner’s daughter and grew up in Ely, MN, relocating to Japan, Missouri and Illinois as a military wife before settling in St Cloud. She retired from St Cloud State University as a longtime secretary in the Political Science Department. Mary was a gifted cook, loved her flowers and in retirement found joy in her poodles, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary is survived by daughters Julie of Hanover, Patricia of Clearwater, son Michael of Riverside, CA , grandchildren: Brittany (Jonas) Carman, John Howell and great grandchildren Zoey and Layla Carman.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clifton, son Thomas and her parents and brothers.
With respect to our mother’s wishes, services will be private.