Obituaries

Thomas R. Pearson (The Bear), 83, of Isabella passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at his home. He was born July 11, 1938, in Minneapolis, to Ellis and Vivian (Thomas) Pearson. He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School, class of 1956, attended UMD and was in the Air National Guard.
He married his beautiful bride Elizabeth Ann Mosack in 1962 in Duluth. They lived in Illinois and Minneapolis before moving their family to “God’s Country” in 1983, where they owned and operated the Stony River Bait Shop and Café for the past 38 years.
Tom was a great conversationalist, storyteller and educator. He always lent a helping hand when someone was in need. He met many, many dear friends through the café and many people loved to stop in and see Tom and Liz over the years. What started out as a stop for something to eat, directions or needing help turned into lifelong friendships. Some were like family to Tom. He was always happy when “The Boys” were coming up.

Katherine Louise Lenich, 95, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.

Katherine was born November 30, 1925 to Frank and Jennie Telich in Ely, MN. Her parents had emigrated from Yugoslavia and she was a lifelong Ely resident.

She graduated from Ely High School in 1943 third in her class. After high school she found employment with the U.S. Forest Service where she met Frank Lenich. Katherine and Frank were married in 1947 after which they honeymooned at the Kekekabic Cabin.

Katherine loved her home she and Frank built. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed all outdoor activities including cross country skiing and swimming. She also was a member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Council. Above all, she enjoyed chatting about Ely and reminiscing with family and friends about the old days. In her later years she wintered in Florida with her sister Jean.

Grace Louise Thureen, 83, of Two Harbors died Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Chris Jensen Health in Duluth.
Louise was born on October 1, 1938 to William T. and Joyce (Stone) Corum in San Francisco, CA where she grew up. In 1957, she married Frank Leoni and together they moved to Ely, MN. Louise had 5 children and worked in a variety of administrative jobs while her children were young. During this time, she was active in her church and doing religious writing and photography. Later, Louise was employed as Assessor for Fall Lake Township, the Ely and Hibbing City Assessor’s Offices, and worked on special projects for Lake County Assessor’s Office. Louise was also the Editor of Equal Eyes Magazine, a professional journal of Minnesota Assessors. She was also instrumental in breaking the glass ceiling by becoming the first female President of the Minnesota Association of Assessing Officers.

Gerald C. (Jake) Jacobson, 79, passed away on October 17, 2021 after a battle with cancer.
Jake was born in Franklin, MN to Carl and Sylvia (Harder) Jacobson on May 9, 1942. He attended school in Sleepy Eye, MN, graduating in 1960.
Jake joined the Air Force after graduation, being stationed in Duluth, MN and then Hurlburt Field/Eglin AFB, FL.
He married Susanne Kauppi in 1964 and they had three children.
After retiring from the Air Force, they came to Ely, MN, Sue’s hometown. Jake worked for the City of Ely as a Police and Fire Dispatcher and Fire Truck Driver.
He is survived by his wife Sue, daughter Barbara (David Stone) Anderson, sons Steven (Molly) Jacobson, and Lee (Cristin McMullen) Jacobson; grandchildren Jessica Anderson, Emily Jacobson, Lindsay Jacobson, Sam Jacobson; sisters: Joyce (Scott) Seifert, Lorraine Haas; brothers: Larry (Susan) Jacobson and David (Julie) Jacobson.

Clarence W. Ivonen, age 99 years, a longtime resident of Virginia died Friday, October 8, 2021 in the Waterview Pines in Virginia. He born September 28, 1922 in Butte, MT the son of Risto and Lydia (Salmi) Ivonen. Clarence was raised in Ely, MN, graduating in 1940 from Ely Memorial High School and the Ely Junior College in 1942.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII in Chicago and Washington D.C. in the Casualty Division.
Post war he attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1948 with a degree in journalism.
His journalism career began at International Fall, MN Daily Journal, in 1949; he transferred to the Range Facts {Mesabi Daily News} Virginia, MN and remained until his retirement in 1984 as managing editor. Clarence wrote a feature column: “Now and Then by Ivonen”.
Clarence married Eila Nurminen of Pori, Finland on June 12, 1954 in Ely. Together they made 33 trips to Finland and other countries.

Donald F. Beland, 88, a proud US Veteran, passed away on Monday, October 4, 2021 at the Ely Bloomenson Hospital. Per Don’s request there will be no services.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Carol Marie Palmer, 84, of Yuba City, CA, passed away at home on September 28, 2021. Born in Duluth, MN, to Arvo and Lillian Knuutti on June 11, 1937. Carol grew up in Ely, MN, on a family dairy farm, then moved to California.

She worked for 30 years as an analyst for the California Highway Patrol until her retirement in 1995. She was a member of Calvary Christian Center for many years and had a deep love for our Lord and Savior. She enjoyed helping with Sidewalk Kids Visitation Ministry while she was still physically able. Carol loved spending her peaceful time at her cabin in the northern Minnesota woods.

Carol is survived by her daughter, Rachelle Marie Torres (Tony) of Yuba City, CA; and sons, Russell Everett Richey (Jennie) of Camas, WA, and Ryan Edward Richey (Kim) of Vancouver, WA; 8 grandsons; 10 great-grandchildren; and 2 brothers, Allan (Carrie) Knuutti, and Arthur Knuutti, both of Ely, MN.

James V. Pinckney, 85, of Ely, a U.S. Veteran, passed away at his residence on Thursday, September 30, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Carl Ambrose Buraglio
Age 80 of Oakdale, passed away September 20, 2021.

Mark R. Palser passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021 at Interfaith Care Center with his loving wife by his side. Mark was born on February 26, 1953 in Julesburg Colorado.
He wrestled for and graduated from Scottsbluff Senior High School in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
He went on to be a very talented, high end hairdresser in Nebraska and then Arizona, where he eventually met the love of his life Liz. Mark had a zest for life and a love of Adventure and the outdoors. He and Liz went on to guide H1 hummer adventures in the mountains and of Arizona. Their love for the outdoors eventually brought them to Ely, MN where they started Minnesota’s first and only off road tour company - The Big Truck - and a $1 in town ride service with Mark’s faithful companion Hummer Dog.