Obituaries

JAMES T. HART, 91, Ely
The world lost a great man - our dad, grandpa and great grandpa, Jim Hart. He lived life to the fullest, most notably canoeing, kayaking and biking into his 80’s and skiing into his 90’s. With help from family, friends, and neighbors, he lived on his own until his final days at his cabin under the towering pines in Eagles Nest Township. Jim loved his place in the Piney Woods, and especially his large family of ten children, 24 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. We all loved him too, and will miss him. He passed away in Ely, Minnesota on Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.

Marjorie K. Ojala, 93, of Ely, passed away Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral arrangements by Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Earl A Johnson left us on March 10, 2021. He was born and raised in Virginia and left for Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota, majoring in Architecture.After retirement he left the Twin Cities Area and built a beautiful retirement home on one of Ely’s gorgeous lakes. He was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, his son Steven and parents Earl and Margaret Johnson. He is survived by his sons Scott(Jennifer) and Todd( Rhonda), grandchildren Nikki, Josh, Brady, Drew and great grandson Weston. Also survived by his siblings Jay Johnson, Brian Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, Marilyn Plunkett and several dear friends.
An artist, poet, teller of tales and maybe a raucous joke or two. He will be missed by those who loved him.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Robert “Scott” Seigfreid passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Scott was born to Leora (Waller) and Gene Seigfreid on June 30, 1957 in Mankato, MN.
Scott’s passion for wildlife developed early in life when he went trapping and hunting with neighborhood friends.
After graduating from Mankato West High School, Scott furthered his education by attending SCC (North Mankato, MN) and then onto VCC (Ely, MN).
Scott was a VCC student and had a taxidermy business in Ely for a few years. He has many friends in Ely. He was very active in several habitat organizations like the Prairie Enthusiasts. He was also a strong proponent of the Sax-Zim bog Wildlife Management Area.

Darrell Kaye Dowden, 88, of Fairchild, Wisconsin passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side March 7, 2021.
Darrell was born on September 16,1932 in Mondovi, Wisconsin to Fred and Della Dowden.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, June of Fairchild, Wisconsin, his three daughters: Julie (Tim) Johnson of Northfield, MN, Helene (Dave) Johnson of Ely, MN, Barb (John)Mann of Hugo, MN, and son Dean (Tammie) Dowden of Tower, MN. Five grandchildren: Luke Johnson of Blaine, MN, Ryan Mann of White Bear Lake, MN, Alyssa Soukup of Stillwater, MN, April Toro of Bradenton, Florida and Darrell Dowden of Superior, WI and five great-grandchildren.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his Brothers Lee Dowden and Russ Dowden, and his sisters June Myers and Betty King.
Darrell graduated from Mondovi High School in 1950.
He served in the Navy during the Korean War.

On Monday, March 8, 2021, Seth Michael Paul Nelson, loving father of two, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend of many, passed away at age 43. Seth was born in St Petersburg, Florida to Steven Paul Nelson and Sharon Kay Nelson (Sadle). He grew up in Hanover, Minnesota and graduated from Buffalo High School before continuing to graduate from Vermillion College in Ely Minnesota where he continued to work and raise his family. Seth worked for the United States Forest Service starting in 2002 as an Engine Boss and Incident Commander with wildland fire, and in recent years Timber Sales Administrator. Seth built two homes just outside of Ely and has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Carmen (14), and June (11).

John R. Harrington, 49, of Ely, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Lorraine V. Huset passed away on March 1, 2021 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
She was born March 9, 1926 in Prairie Farm, Wisconsin to Henry and Alma Lien.
Raymond and Lorraine were married on Nov 3, 1944 while he was serving in the Army during WWII. In 1954 they moved from Spooner, WI to Babbitt, where Lorraine remained a resident until her move to the BWCC in Ely. Lorraine was employed at BWCC for approximately 20 years serving as an aid and providing care and comfort to the residents there.
Lorraine’s main focus in life remained always in caring for her family and those around her, and it was returned in kind many times over by the wonderful care she received at BWCC the last year of her life. A woman of strength, of love and passion for those dear to her, and a woman well respected by those that came to know her. She will be forever missed.

Nola M. Sorenson, 90, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
She was born February 17, 1921 to Edward and Frances (Morrison) Ditlevson in Blooming Prairie, MN. Nola attended high school in Blooming Prairie, graduating in 1949. She graduated from Northwest Bible College in 1952.
Nola married Roger Sorenson on Oct. 1, 1955 in Blooming Prairie, MN.
Nola worked for General Mills, Super Valu and Hekle Corporation. The couple lived in Minneapolis until 1961 when they moved to Richfield, MN and then in 1995 the made the move to Ely.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Lynwood Ditlevson, four sisters: Del Neitzel, Coni O’Connor, Joyce Halflinger and Marion Christiansen.
Nola is surved by her husband Roger; sons Gregory Sorenson of Andover, MN and Todd (Cathy) Sorenson of Osage, IA; 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Joseph R. (Joe) Kobe of Ely, MN passed away peacefully at his home on March 6, 2021.
He was born on July 5, 1950 in Ely, MN. He was the 7th of 10 children born to Joseph and Ellia (Buraglio) Kobe (some say her favorite). In high school, he was an avid baseball and hockey player. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1968 and a short 3 years later was drafted and sent on his first plane flight to Vietnam where he served as a military police officer.
After his service, he spent a short time in California, and then returned home to Ely where he owned and operated Kobe’s Liquor store as well as an auto repair service.
Despite never wanting to live in the Twin Cities, he moved there and worked 12 years in the carpentry trade where he met two life-long friends. He introduced them to Ely, where they spent many weekends hunting and fishing.