Obituaries

Rudolph “Rudy” A. Marolt, 85, of Virginia, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. He was born on Sept. 24, 1929 in Gilbert to Matt and Frances (Perme) Marolt. He graduated as Valedictorian of his Gilbert High School class and also graduated from Eveleth Junior College and St. Cloud Teacher’s College. He taught school in Rush City for four years and lived in Ely for 38 years where he was a teacher and athletic director.
He had been a Virginia resident since 1996.
Rudy retired from teaching and worked as a funeral director for many years. He was a U.S. army veteran of the Korean Crisis.

Calvin C. “Jr.” Edstrom, 62, of Tower, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2014, at his residence. He was employed at Ely Auto Service as a master technician. Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Virginia.

Terttu Elizabeth (Inki) Mayranen, 91, former resident of Westminster, Massachusetts passed away on November 9, 2014 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.
She was born on December 4, 1922 in Monson, Maine to Lauri and Fanny Inki and grew up in Ashby, Mass. and was a graduate of Ashby High School. She married Wilho W. Mayranen of Westminster, Mass. in 1942. There they raised three children, two sons and a daughter. An avid gardener and craft-person she served as a Deaconess for the Congregational Church of Westminster and volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader.
After Wilho passed away in 2010 she moved to Ely, Minnesota to be closer to her son Eric, daughter Valerie, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She lived independently in Ely tending to her garden, flower beds and enjoyed having the family near by until the time of her passing.

James Robert Procter, 74, of Winton, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2014. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on October 23, 1940 to Marguerite (McGifford) and Raymond James Proctor.

A celebration of James life will be held on Monday, November 17, 2014 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely at 5:00 p.m. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Josephine Shepel Luthanen, 95, of Ely, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2014 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. She was born on March 20, 1919 in Ely, Minnesota, the third of five children of Slovenian immigrants Frank and Mary Shepel. Except for her college years and several years as a professional singer and musician, she lived her life in her hometown.
Family and music dominated that life. Josephine earned a bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Minnesota where she was Concertmaster of the U of M Orchestra. She performed on violin and as a vocalist with the Duluth and Minneapolis Symphonies. She sang leading and title roles in many operas and was soloist in various oratorios.

Kenneth Patrick Evenstad, 52, died in a tragic diving accident in the pool at his home in Savage, Minn., on Oct. 25, 2014.

He was born on March 17, 1962, in Ely to Kenneth and Lynn Evenstad. Kenny was raised and attended school in Babbitt. He was an accomplished heating and air conditioning master.

He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Geneen (Clemmer); his children, Jessica (Kris) Scherer, Adam (Nicol) Evenstad and Mikayla Evenstad. He was the world’s best grandfather to Acelind, Austin, Kendra, Karter and Kolette.

He is also survived by his parents, Ken and Lynn Evenstad; his sister, Sherry (Greg) Scharber; and his brother, Rich Evenstad. He was a loving ‘son’ to his in-laws, Mike and Joanne Clemmer, and a much loved uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Arthur A. Rinta, 85, passed away surrounded by family at St Josephs Hospital in St Paul on October 26.  He was born on October 31, 1928 in Embarrass to Suoma and Jacob Rinta.  Art graduated from Embarrass High School and served three years in the US Air Force.    He had a 30-year career with the Minnesota Highway Patrol.  He was married for 58 years to a former Ely schoolteacher, Augusta and raised three children.   Art enjoyed traveling with his wife Augusta, including regular trips to his former northland home to visit his siblings and family.   His gentle spirit, concern for others, generous heart and dry sense of humor will be missed all.  Art was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Julia Haapala, Oliver, Ensio and Esther Niemi.

Ronald L. Marolt, 73, of Winton passed away at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth on Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Family arrangement entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Paul J Shuster, 89, of Ely died Tuesday, October 28, 2014 at Essentia Health, St. Mary’s Duluth.
He was  born in Ely on Jan. 13, 1925 to Florian and Cecilia (Ribic) Shuster. He attended schools in Ely and became a miner after his military service.
He is survived by nieces: Cecilia “Chotsie” Harri, Mary Ann Smith, Jane Russell, Robin Braun and Anne Reese;  nephews: Florian “Chopper” Shuster, John Roberts and Michael Doran. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
 

Rosemary (Silvola) Lekatz, 87 of Ely, died and met her Lord and Savior, on Friday, October 24, 2014 at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
She was born June 16, 1927. She was the wonderful daughter of Rose Margaret (Fiorio) and  Carl Otto Krueger of Winton.
She lived in Ely and growing up attended the Lincoln School, Savoy School, Ely Washington, Ely Memorial High School and Ely Junior College. She graduated from high school in 1945.
Throughout her life in Winton and Ely, she worked at many local places. They included: Lac La Croix Lodge, Gambles Store, JC Penney, Pucel’s store in Winton, Ely Co-op Store, Ely High School and Coast to Coast store.
Rosemary married Ade Elmer Silvola on January 28, 1950. They were married at the Trinity English Lutheran Church in Hammond, Indiana. On December 21, 1951 they had a daughter they named Roberta Adele Silvola. She was delivered at the Winton Hospital by Dr. Omar Snyker. They built their home in Ely.