Obituaries

Michael “Mickey” Vesel, age 59, of Pillager, MN passed away at his home on Monday August 4, 2014 after a short battle with aggressive leukemia. Mickey was born in Ely to John and Rosemary (Bishoff) Vesel on October 27, 1954. He married the love of his life Sandra Erickson (Johnston) and together raised two children. Mickey worked as an LPN at St. Joseph’s-Essentia Health in Brainerd, MN for many years and most recently at IWCO in Little Falls.
Mickey’s wonderful wit and sense of humor and his love of horses, camping, canoeing, love of family and the “simple” life are some of the many things we will remember about him.
A celebration of Mickey’s life will be held on Saturday August 16, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Birch Lake Cemetery in Ely with luncheon to follow at the beloved Untinen family homestead.

Paulette R. Bodine, 74, of Virginia, died Saturday, July 26, 2014, at her home.
She was born May 28, 1940, in Ely, the daughter of Tauno and Ruth (Martin) Nikkinen. She graduated from Ely High School in 1958.

Raymond C. Froelich, 85, died Friday, August 1, 2014 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely with family by his side.  He was born January 30, 1929 in Albany, MN to Christopher and Mary (Kubicek) Froelich.
In 1953 he married Leora Vraa.  They farmed in the Kelliher area before moving to Babbitt/Ely where he worked for Reserve Mining Company for 30 years.
His life always centered around his family.  He was a member of St. Anthony’s Parish in Ely  He also enjoyed camping. boating, gardening, hunting and carpentry.
His wife, Leora, preceded him in death along with sisters: Marion, Helen, Irene, one brother: Gregor Froelich and his grandson Frank Kerntz, Jr.

Martha E. Korosec, age 90, of Brooklyn Park on July 30, 2014.
Preceded in death by beloved husband: John Korosec Jr. Survived by loving children: John Franz, Stephen Drake (Debra) and Diane Marie Korosec; nephew: Jess R. (Kate) Ford and niece: Mary (Bill) Ford-Sussman.
Martha was a graduate of Marshall High School. She was also a co-founder of Koro Industries, Inc., a precision gear manufacturing company which she and her husband started in 1965. She served as head of the Altar Committee of St. Phillip’s Lutheran Church of Fridley for many years. Martha also enjoyed making costumes for the Andahazy Ballet Company.
The family wishes to thank the staff of N.C. Little Memorial Hospice, Edina, for their skilled and loving care.

Margaret Jeanne Randall
April 7, 1943 ~ July 11, 2014
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Jeanne Randall announces her passing after a prolonged battle with Lewy Body Dementia, on Friday, July 11, 2014, at the age of 71 years. A native of Ely, Minnesota, Marge attended Macalester College on a National Merit Scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and practicing as a medical technologist at various locations in Minnesota and Oregon before becoming the Director of Laboratory Services at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport, Oregon.
Marge was a lover of great food, wine, and music. One of her favorite past times was cooking and sharing a great meal with family and friends. She was also a talented pianist and organist. Marge served many years as an organist at Atonement Lutheran Church in Newport, Oregon.

Adele Wallis Ciriacy, 93, died on November 15, 2013, surrounded by family. She was born on August 21, 1920, in Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Ely in 1954.
She is survived by five children: Sparkie, Ted (Peg), Debbie, Missie (Jed) Ruberto, and Timothy (Mary) as well as eight grandchildren : Maryann, Allie, Aaron, Luke, Sarah, Emily, Mike and David.
A gathering for Adele Ciriacy’s family and friends will be held on Saturday, August  2 from 1:00-4:00 at the lake.

Evelyn Marie Arntz, 86, bravely and thoughtfully said good-bye to her children and grandchildren and died peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Essentia Health – Virginia following a battle with respiratory illness.  She was born June 16, 1928, to Anton and Jenny (Johnson) Handegard near Lake Park, MN.  Evie graduated from Lake Park High School in 1945.  She was united in marriage to Aldo Arntz on April 9, 1949, in Lake Park Lutheran Church.  After their marriage they farmed in the Lake Park area – moving to Babbitt in 1956.  Evie resided in Babbitt for 57 years.  She lived at Washington Manor and Edgewood Vista in Virginia this past year. 

John T. Zupin, 79, of Babbitt passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at his home.
 
He was born on October 15, 1934 in Ely to Simon and Johanna (Brince) Zupin and was a 1952 graduate of Ely Memorial High School.
 
John served in the U. S. Marine Corp during the Korean War and participated in the Tai Chen Island evacuation  to Formosa.
 
He married Judy North in 1960 and worked as an electrician at Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt for 30 years and then 9 1/2 years at LTV Mining in Hoyt Lakes.
 
John was a hunter, fisherman and was well known for his smoked fish and polish; and he was an avid gardener and loved to work in his yard.
 
One of his fondest memories was a trip he made with his son John to Great Bear Lake in the Arctic Circle.
 
John was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt; a 60 year member of Maki-Pinola American Legion Post 535 and VFW Post 1539, both of Babbitt.

Eleanor Ruth Costello Smith, 93, went peacefully home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus at the Boundary Water Care Center the morning of January 3, 2014 after a short bout of illness.  
She was born on August 16, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois.  Eleanor married Louis Smith at the age of 24 and they moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin.  She moved to Ely with Louie in the spring of 1984, where both her sisters resided.  She nursed her husband for 8 years until he died of cancer in the fall of 1984.  She and Louie had no children.
Eleanor had a very gentle, sweet spirit.  She was kind and generous to her family and friends, especially with her love & prayers.  She was actively involved with the Baptist Church since 1984, now called the Ledgerock Community Church, where she developed many close friends.

Albin Kotchevar, 91 of Westland, Michigan, formerly of Ely, MN passed away Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Garden City Hospital, in Garden City, Michigan. He was born July 23, 1922 in Ely, Minnesota to Frances and Anton Kotchevar. Albin was raised and educated in Ely schools, graduating in 1940 from Ely Memorial High School.
He worked in the mine until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He served on the USS Leyte in the Pacific until he was honorably discharged in 1948. After the war, Albin became engaged to former classmate Rose Lanfranchi. Albin and Rose were married in Detroit, Michigan on April 30, 1949. He worked as an engineer for General Motors until his retirement in 1980.
Albin is survived by daughters Rose Ann (Micheal) McHugh of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Jeanne (Scott) Fuller of Livonia, MI; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.