Obituaries

Robert William Bentz, 95 years old, formerly of Richfield, MN,
Passed away peacefully on October 27th, 2020, at St. Therese in New Hope, MN

Bob was Born May 22nd, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN, to Albert Rae and Gladys Bentz, and united in marriage to Phyllis Jean Freeburg on February 22, 1952.

James Wayne Kultala, 86, passed away on November 18, 2020 in Silver Bay, Minnesota. Jim was born in Tower, Minnesota to Wayne and Lila (Hannula) Kultala on March 20, 1934. He married Jeanette Niemi; they were married 25 years and raised six children. He served as Military Police in the Army, stationed in Fort Sheridan, IL. In his early years, Jim drove truck for Erie Mining Company. For many years, Jim was a car salesman for metro area dealerships; later in life he pursued his real estate license and became a real estate agent. Jim loved to dance and explore; he was happiest on the dance floor and going for a long drive. Jim is preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Lila Kultala, and step-father Robert White; his sisters Doris Carlon and Lucille Galbraith; his spouse Jeanette Niemi and their daughter Cheryl.

With great sadness, Robert Niewierowski passed away, after a brief illness on November 20, 2020 at the age of 82.

He was born in Chicago on December 13, 1937 to Edward and Mabel Niewierowski.

He proudly served in the Marines before starting his 40 year career in the soft drink beverage industry.

In 2000, Bob retired to enjoy his love of fishing, hunting, and the outdoors of Ely.

Not one to retire and sit idle, you would find Bob educating and entertaining visitors with his stories at the Dorothy Molter museum as a tour guide for 10 years.

In 2010 he took a job with the census bureau, and in more recent years, he greeted boaters and canoers at various boat landings as a watercraft inspector for the Clean, Drain, Dry program.

He enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with the family and was always eager to instruct his grandchildren as soon as they were old enough to hold a fishing pole.

Emily Elaine Wahlberg, 81, died peacefully at home on November 19, 2020.

Emily was born on Nov. 24, 1938, in Ely, to Reino and Rachel (Rosdet) Wahlberg. She was a graduate of Memorial High School, Ely Junior College, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Illinois.

She taught high school science in Illinois for 31 years, and retired to her summer property on Burntside Lake. Emily built her dream house, operated Burntside Heritage Tours, and established beautiful flower gardens and welcoming habitat for humans and critters.

Emily was active in the community, especially supporting the arts, the DFL, the winter festival, VCC, and the Town of Morse. Her last determined act was to get out to vote on November 3rd.

Lindskog, Erik Marshall age 70
Erik died recently of an apparent heart attack at his home on Burntside Lake. He was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman. After retiring from his surveying career in South Dakota, Colorado and Minneapolis, he moved to his beloved Minnesota Northwoods. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marsha and Joe Rokke, nephew Chris Rokke, niece Jennifer Wennerberg (Adam), grandniece Charlotte Wennerberg, grandnephew James Rokke, aunt June Remme and many much loved cousins and friends. The last line of his will - "leave to all my family and friends my Eternal Love and best wishes."

Tom Marvin Erkkila, age 60 of Sandstone, MN lost his courageous battle with cancer November 7th 2020 surrounded by his loved ones.
Tom was born on September 6, 1960 to Marvin and Grace Erkkila. Tom grew up in Babbit, Mn and later moved to Sandstone where he lived with the love of his life, Ramona O’Donnell for the past 25 years.
Tom was an avid outdoorsman and loved being in the woods and feeding the deer. He loved spending time with the grandkids; taking them on tractor rides, going to college hockey games. Tom also loved sharing his knowledge of the outdoors with others. He worked for Donald Selander as a Machinist at Snobike Machine for 38 years. Cooking breakfast for his family brought him great joy! Tom was a great man and loved by many.

Anthony P. Merhar, 69, of Babbitt, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at Boundary Waters Care in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Ann Marie Bye, 72, of Ely, passed away Thursday, November 5, 2020 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Hibbing.

Michael W. Baldwin, 85, of Babbitt, passed award Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Funeral arrangements are pending with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Feudor Aijala, 84, Silver Bay, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
Feudor was born on April 20, 1936 to Felder and Saima (Mattson) Aijala in Ely where he grew up and attended Ely Junior College. Feudor continued his education at the University of MN- Duluth, obtaining a Bachelor’s in Education and later a Master’s in Education from the University of Minnesota. Moving to Silver Bay, Feudor taught 6th grade for 34 years, specializing in Social Studies. He had a love of history and was a great storyteller.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed turkey hunting in the Black Hills and fishing the northern lakes. He also enjoyed listening to music.
Feudor was fond of his heritage and enjoyed collecting Finnish Puukko knives.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Ruth and Arleen.