Obituaries

Charles "Chuck" Evancevich, 61, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020 at Essentia Health- St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Barbara Altavilla, 85, was spiritually reborn on October 5, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. Barbara was born March 26, 1935, in London, England, to Joseph and Ethel (Jones) Rayner. She met Robert James Altavilla at the tender age of 17 when he was stationed in the United Kingdom with the U.S. Air Force. Barbara arrived in Minnesota on May 1, 1954, to marry “her American” on June 12, 1954. Bob and Barb shared 66 years of marriage, raising their three children on the Iron Range. One of Barbara’s greatest joys was gardening, as flowers flourished under her care. She couldn’t be happier in her garden, wearing a new pair of sandals, eating a bar of Cadbury chocolate, sipping English tea and listening to her favorite music. Barbara always had a camera nearby and captured albums full of memories. A voracious reader, Barbara immersed herself in Ancient Egypt, extraterrestrial civilizations, the life of Jesus and the history of Native Americans.

Roslyn Marie (Urbas) Perko, passed away on October 5th, 2020 due to complications of COVID-19 at the Carefree Living Center.
A lifelong resident of Ely, Roslyn was born on June 5, 1929 to Francis (Gorshe) and Frank Urbas. As a young adult, she worked as a secretary for the Ely Chamber of Commerce where she met the love of her life. John Perko. They were married May 20, 1950. They had two children, Kathleen and Daniel.
Roslyn was a homemaker and a wonderful cook, with lots of old Slovenian recipes from her mother, which has been passed down to her family. She was a loving grandmother to her three granddaughters, as well as many children in the neighborhood.

Dale “Bo” Allen Wiersema, 64, passed away after a very short battle with metastatic melanoma of the brain, on Sunday September 27, 2020 at his residence in Glen, Minnesota.
Dale “Bo” was born on February 4, 1956 to parents Rosemary (Huizenga) and Bud Wiersema in Morrison, Illinois. He graduated from Prophetstown High school and attended Central College in Pella, Iowa. While attending Central College he helped the Central Dutch football team win the 1974 NCAA Division III championship.
Dale “Bo” worked for many years in farming, construction, asbestos abatement and resort caretaking. He was a real “Jack of all Trades”. Bo loved to garden, fish, camping, doing woodwork, doing things with his granddaughter, Mykaela Emily and listening to his favorite, John Prine. He always had a big bear hug for you and a great joke to share. He was kind and welcomed everyone.

Ralph A. Lassi, 85, of Lakeland, Florida died on October 1, 2020 from complications from cancer treatment.

He was born on July 5, 1935 in Ely, Minnesota to Toimi (Doc) Lassi and Mary (Gorshe) Lassi. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1953, and two years later from the Ely Junior College where he earned the Associate Degree in Business Administration.

He worked at an early age at many jobs during summers and after school. During his teen years he was a fishing guide at Borderline Lodge on Pipestone Bay on Basswood Lake. This was the beginning of a lifelong love and communion with the lake, which he visited as often as he could with family and friends during the next 50 plus years. He also guided canoe parties in the BWCA and Canadian Quetico Park for the Border Lakes Canoe Outfitters located in Winton, MN.

Carol Lee Zupancich passed away unexpectedly in her home on October 1, 2020. Carol was born on May 18, 1946 to Angela and John Zobitz.

Carol was a woman of strong Faith and a passion for her Family. She gave her all to her Family as she was a natural caregiver for all those she loved. She had an open door to anyone in need and would welcome anyone into her home. She will forever be remembered for her home cooked meals, her love for the holidays and traditions, and cherished memories with her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren. Carol found joy in the simplest moments in life and continued to show her Family that the care of others always came first.
She married the love of her life William Zupancich on November 29, 1969. In their 46 years of marriage they had three children, Shannon, Kimberly, and Billy and they shared many beautiful memories with each other.

Myron G. Helback, age 88 of Coon Rapids, passed away on September 22, 2020 at the Elim Home in Princeton.
Preceded in death by parents, Gust and Lulu (Kultala) Helback; and wife, Lois.
Survived by children, Kim (Ralph) Hageman, Sherri (Michael) Fries, Joy (John) Betzold, Lori (Tom) McKenzie, Tim (Dee), and Joe (Cara Dagenais); grandchildren, Nicholas, Marybeth, Emily, Benjamin, Jackie, Jake, Fr. T.J., Cortney, Riley, Casey, Travis, Joshua, Elizabeth, Avery, Reese, Kella, and Kyler; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Patsy Wick; brother, Jerry (Michele) Helbacka; also many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Visitation was held on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, followed by a private Funeral Service at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home in Anoka. Interment was at Forest Hill Cemetery, Anoka. Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home of Anoka (763) 421-0220 www.thurston-lindberg.com

Mass of Christian Burial for Rosemary J. Skala, 78, of Hoyt Lakes, will be 11am Saturday, September 26, 2020 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Hoyt Lakes with Fr. Peter Lambert, Fr. Eamonn Boland and Deacon Mark Skala celebrating the mass. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at the church. Burial will be in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. “Due to Covid 19 restrictions, the church's seating capacity is 50 people and may not be exceeded. Please let it be known that all are welcome to the visitation and that we will be gathering for an outdoor reception afterward at the Hoyt Lakes Beer Garden.”
Rosemary died Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Gerald Burdett Maus, 73, of Duluth, passed away peacefully with family by his side, September 27, 2020. He was born in Mahnomen, MN, on July 2, 1947, to Burdett and Geraldine (Kellerhuis).
He graduated from Hermantown High School in 1965. He served in the Army in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. Gerald was also a proud Teamster working for Ulland Brothers until his stoke in 1997.
He loved to spend time outside, hunting and fishing, with his family and friends especially with Gramps and Don Sausman.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by loving wife, Laura (Lofald); children, Keenan (Brandy), Holly (Jon) Prijatel; grandchildren, Eddie and Sammy Prijatel; siblings, Glenn (Darlene), Gregg (Liz), Brenda (Tim Stroozas) Maus, Garry, and Barry; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Memorials can be directed to the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth.

Charles J. DuErr, 92, of Isabella died peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
He was born to Charles and Hazel (Johnson) DuErr in Milwaukee, WI. Chuck grew up on a farm in rural Wisconsin and spend most of his life in Minneapolis where he was employed by Metro Transit. He fulfilled a lifelong dream in 1995 when he retired to Isabella.
Chuck enjoyed deer hunting and woodworking; his tables and lamps can be found all around Isabella. After a close friend, Richard Czech’s, son died in an unfortunate accident, Chuck attended the Fud Classic Fishing Tournament in support of his friend, held every June beginning in 1988.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; sons, James and Steven; siblings Dick, Joyce, Judy, Clark, Keith, Betty, Phillis, Harold, and Arlyn; and half-brothers, John, Robert, and Ray.