Obituaries

Norma Jane Johnson, 91, of Jay Street, Duluth, passed away Friday, May 15, 2015 at Solvay Hospice House.
Norma was born in Shipman Hospital in Ely, Minnesota to John Anderson and Mary (Toutloff) Anderson on February 14, 1924. Norma attended Ely Schools, the University of Minnesota and Haskell Business College in Lawrence, Kansas.
She married Alfred (Bud) Johnson in Ely on September 11, 1948, with a wedding reception at Burntside Lodge. Norma was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church where she was: a Cub Scout den mother; Girl Scout leader; Women’s Council Member; and a member of the Funeral Committee and the Jammers.

Valerie Moats, 80, of Ely, passed away at her home on Friday, May 15, 2015. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Edward John Hernesmaa, 80, of Virginia, formerly of Ely, died Monday, May 11, 2015 in the Virginia Care Center. He was born in Ely on Nov. 17, 1934 to Toivo and Angela (Puzel) Hernesmaa. He was an Ely resident for most of his life, living in Virginia for the past ten years.
On Nov. 25, 1962, he married Bonnie Mosnik. Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a young man and had worked maintenance as an employee of Ely Bloomenson Hospital and Vermilion Community College. He coached Ely Little League Baseball for many years, was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, enjoyed Notre Dame sports, polka music and dancing.
Ed was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, the Ely Knights of Columbus and the Ely American Legion Post. He was preceded in death by his parents and a beloved son, Mark, in 1981.

Michael B. Sherman, 62, passed away from his battle with cancer on Monday, May 11, 2015. A private service will be held at Range Funeral Home on Friday May 15, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. for family and close friends. A celebration of his life will be held for all family and friends at Tank’s in Babbitt on May 30, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
Michael Booth Sherman was born November 21, 1952 in Hibbing MN to Jack and Patricia Sherman. He served in the Air Force from June 1971 to June 1975 and worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons from 1985 to 2001.
Mike was united in marriage to Janice Harrold on April 19, 1982 in Virginia MN. He was a member of the VFW.
He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

Lorraine J. Priyatel, 86, of Melrose, formerly of Ely, died Saturday, May 9, 2015 at the CentraCare Health Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 20 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, gathering in assembly area 1.

Lorraine Jane Janeksela was born November 29, 1928 in Ely, Minnesota to Matthew and Emmi (Hokkanen) Janeksela. On February 28, 1942 she married John Priyatel in Ely, Minnesota. They were longtime residents of Ely before Lorraine moved to Melrose in 1999. Lorraine enjoyed attending church services, reading, and loved spending time with her family.
Survivors include her children, John (Diane) Priyatel of Elk River and Rae (Bob) Kuzma of Melrose; four grandchildren, Cheri (Jamie) Hemker, Todd (Debra) Kuzma, Kevin Priyatel, and Michael Priyatel; five great-grandchildren, Tyler, Connor, and Nolan Hemker, Jarred and Blake Kuzma; and brother, Melvin Janeksela of Ely.

Judith L. (Lepisto) Rudman, 78, of Duluth, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015 surrounded by her very loving family.
She was born May 16, 1936 in Ely, Minn., to Eino and Lillian Lepisto.
Judy was a 1954 graduate of Ely High School and on March 1, 1957 she married Fred G. Rudman. Judy worked at the Duluth Clinic and retired from EPA in 2001.
She had been active in University for Seniors, ballroom dance, book club, music and investment groups. Judy enjoyed traveling, sewing, outdoor activities, the family cabin and most of all spending time with her family and friends.
Judy was preceded in death by her husband, Fred.

Dolores M. Rosett, 79, of Embarrass, passed away on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
She was born Sept. 11, 1935 in Holt, MN to Oscar and Gladys (Sampson) Gutterud.
She married Richard Rosett on June 2, 1956 in Holt, MN. They moved to Benville in 1959 and moved to the farm she loved in 1964 and have resided there since.
She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, fishing, gardening, dancing, playing cards with family and friends but mainly enjoyed spending time with family.
Over the years she made hundreds of stocking hats and gave them away to various charitable organizations.
She is survived by her husband Richard of 58 plus years, their children Gary (Joan) Rosett, Randy (Mary) Rosett, Doug Rosett and Shelly Rosett; her brother Lawrence Gutterud; her sister, Wilma Baker; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Betty Jeane (Donahue) D’Achille, 88, passed away on May 4, 2015 in her home with her family by her side.
She was born June 25, 1926 in Sisseton, South Dakota. Betty lived a long life and enjoyed living on her ten acres, feeding and watching the wildlife. She was a storyteller and very funny, along with being a voracious reader.
She was raised in Ely, MN, moved to Detroit, MI with her mother during WWII and graduated from East Detroit High School in 1944. Betty married Frank in Detroit, MI on August 24, 1946.
She is predeceased by her parents, Carrie (nee Tarvin) and Daniel Donahue; husband, Frank; son, Frank Daniel; and sister, Lois Burke. She is survived by her son, Mark; daughters: Mary Ann and Janet; son-in-law, Rick Richards; grandson, Nathan D’Achille; and many nieces and nephews.
In honor of her wishes, a private family ceremony will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Emmett, MI.

Joann Mae (Rikhus) Brown, 88, passed away peacefully on December 21, 2014 in Billings, MT with her children close. She was the third of four children, born on May 1, 1926 to John and Laufey Rikhus in Ely. She attended local schools and graduated with honors from Ely Memorial High School in 1944. She was also a member of the National Thespian Dramatic Honor Society. Joann continued her education in business at Ely Vermilion Community College while working for her father in the family business. She then completed her studies at the Mpls. School of Business.

Harold Wallace “Wally” Warren, 85, of Embarrass, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 30, 2015, at home with his wife of 57 years, Bunny, and his family by his side.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Range Funeral Home at 12 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. Jeff Iisakka will officiate. Burial will take place at Embarrass Cemetery. Military Honors will be accorded by VFW Post 1539 and American Legion Post 535.
Wally was born on November 26, 1929, in Minersville, WI, the second of ten children. After school, he joined the Merchant Marines. When he would come home from working on the boats, he always had surprises for all his family. Wally served in the Army from October 1952 and was honorably discharged in October 1954. He then moved on to the Iron Range, securing a job at Reserve Mining Company in 1955.