Obituaries

Kenneth (Ken/Kenny) James Forsman, age 71 of Hibbing, MN passed away peacefully in his home on the night of December 6th, 2021.

Maria Zoe Planton known to everyone as, Zoe, age 81 of Soudan, Minnesota, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on November 30, 2021.
She was born on July 26, 1940 to Joseph Zupancich Sr. and Mary (Gasperlin) Zupancich in Ely, Minnesota. Zoe graduated from Ely High School in 1958 and following graduation attended St. Catherine’s University, in St. Paul, Minnesota. On October 21, 1961 she married the love of her life, Frank Planton, and pursued her dream of being a mom.
Zoe’s family was her priority. Zoe’s home became known as Zoe’s Bed & Breakfast to her children with delicious home cooked meals and everything they needed when they visited. Zoe’s fondest memory to her children was to always be in the front yard waving goodbye until she could no longer see them as they departed from her home.

Lolita M. Schnitzius, 83, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Marsnik, Alice Nadine Chamberlain, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, died at home November, 30, 2021. In her last weeks, she expressed that her greatest wish was to spend the end of her life surrounded by her beloved children, grandchildren, friends, and family.
Nadine was born September 5, 1931, the third of five children born to Ellard (Pike) and Alice (nee Johnson) Chamberlain in Clontarf, Minnesota. Nadine was an exceptional student who devoted her life to education. She graduated from Benson High School as co-salutatorian with her lifelong best friend, with whom she attended the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. She was the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating with honors and Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her Masters of Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1974 and in 1985 completed all of her coursework for a PhD from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota.

Billy J. Andrews, 65 of Palm Springs, CA passed away Monday, November 1, 2021 in Palm Springs, CA.
Bill was born on August 13, 1956 in Pekin, IL to Jimmy D. and Amelia M. (Masnari) Andrews.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, one Uncle, John Masnari and one Aunt, Shirley Frank.
He is survived by: his Mother, Amelia, two brothers; Jerry of Peoria, IL and Scott (Joni) of Tremont, IL, his Uncle Gary Andrews of Pinkneyville, IL, Uncle Ray Frank of Morton, IL, his Aunt Sharon Mutchler of Pekin and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

James Richard Herberg, 64, of Virginia, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2021 at Waterview Pines in Virginia.
Jim was born in Winton, MN on March 5, 1957.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Joyce Roselle Herberg.
Jim is survived by his father, Lloyd G. Herberg of Babbitt; daughter, Tara Herberg of Virginia; 6 siblings: Linda Warnke of Emerado, ND, Gary Herberg of Babbitt, Janet Rasmussen of Ely, Barb Palmer of Babbitt, Lloyd B. Herberg of Ely, and Debora Bingham of Emerado, ND.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or send condolences visit rangefuneralhomes.com.

Edward Lloyd Burg, Jr., 90, of Daphne, Alabama passed away peacefully on November 14, 2021. Edward was born January 16, 1931, in Duluth, Minnesota to Edward Lloyd and Esther (Dahl) Burg, Sr. Ed attended Lake Forest Academy in Chicago, IL. and Lawrence College in Wisconsin. During the Korean War, Edward served in the United States Air Force, stationed at Nellis AFB. Thereafter, Ed returned to Duluth, MN where he joined his father to run Burg Hotel Supply Company. After the sale of the company in the 70s, Ed founded and ran Lakehead Safety and Equipment Company. Ed was a faithful congregant and deacon of Duluth Congregational Church, and was a member of many civic organizations including the VFW, Elks, Glen Avon Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, ADD Temple, and Rotary. Rotary held a very special place in his heart and life. He was very proud to be a third generation Rotarian.

Charles Peter (“Pete”) Hayek, 77, of Iowa City, died November 21, 2021, in his Iowa City home after an extended battle with cancer arising out of his service in the Vietnam Conflict.
Pete was born in Iowa City on October 26, 1944, to Will Jennings Hayek and Marjorie Bernice (Kurtz) Hayek. He grew up in the family home at 900 N Dubuque Street and attended University High (“U High”) through graduation.
Peter attended and graduated from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, after which he was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in March 1967 upon completion of Officer Candidate School in Rhode Island. He then completed multiple tours in Vietnam as the Executive Officer of the USS Cree and as the Navigator of the USS Sproston. In all Pete completed a total of 31 years (active and reserve) and retired as an O-6 (Captain) after receiving numerous awards including the Meritorious Service Medal.

John Edward Huntbatch, 48, of Ely, MN passed away at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital on Friday, November 19, 2021, from complications related to Covid-19.
He was born on January 13, 1973, in St. Louis Park, MN to Gary and Kay (Hall) Huntbatch. He lived most of his childhood in Winona, MN. He graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1991 and went on to attend Vermilion Community College where he met his wife, Janelle Baier. They married on April 27, 1996, and made their home in Ely.

Jerome "Romo" Mestnik passed away on November 10th, 2021 in Las Vegas, NV. He was born on December 3rd, 1946 in Ely, MN. A celebration of life will take place in the Spring.