Obituaries

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.

Dr. Carl White, noted cardiologist, died on Wednesday, Oct. 22 after perservering through Alzheimer’s disease. Survivors include his wife, Barbara and three children. The Whites are summer residents of Burntside Lake’s west end. A memorial service is planned for 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis.

Matt (Sonny) Vertin Jr., 80, of Ely passed away Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
He was born February 22, 1934 in Ely to Matt and Angela (Zupancich) Vertin and was a lifelong Ely resident.
Sonny was married for 62 years to Gloria (DeBernardi) and they owned and operated Vertin’s Cafe and Pub, a local iconic establishment in Ely.
During the years of operating the restaurant, he employed many people from the surrounding area and always strived for everyone to reach their highest potential. Sonny could be found at the restaurant at any time of the day sitting at his table with a coffee cup and always ready to give his opinion or stock trading tips.

John Lekatz, Sr., 96, of Ely, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence on Tuesday, October 21, 2014.
He was the last living child of nine children born in Ely to Mike Lekatz and Katherine Maranich. In 1943 he married Frances Melovasich. Together, John and Frannie raised three children: John (Mary Ann) Lekatz, Jr.; Frank (Jan) Lekatz, and Louise (Andy) Kainz, all of Ely. John worked for the City of Ely for many years, initially as a police officer and later in Public Works.
In addition to his children, he is survived by grandchildren: Carol (Jim) Rist, Cheryl (Derek) Grochowski and David (Missy) Lekatz; four great grandchildren: Morgan and Joshua Rist and Kayla and Matt Lekatz;, and his little dog “Kiki.” He was pre-deceased by an infant daughter, his wife Fran in 2009, and brothers: Paul, Peter, Joe, Louis, Mike and Steve Lekatz; sisters: Ann Royal and Katherine Beaty.

Eleanor M. Bialke, 90, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Eleanor was born on May 5, 1924 in Gilman to Frank and Catherine (Pulchinski) Albright. She married Thomas P. Bialke on May 2, 1944 in Gilman. Eleanor enjoyed cooking, fishing, playing cards and spending time with her family.
She’s survived by her husband: Thomas; their children: Gerald Bialke of Babbitt and Reinette (Joe) Labernik of Forest Lake; grandchildren: Aaron, Brad, Chris, Shannon, Tracy and Katrina; 11 great grandchildren: Caleb, Logan, Peyton, Colton, Calvin, Lily, Janie, Addison, Ella, Mason and Arie Anna; sister-in-laws: Cleo Bialke and Janet Albright; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter: Cheryl Gerold; brothers: Henry and Donald Albright; and sister: Ann Albright.

Dorothy J. Anderson, 83, died Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at Essentia Health Care Center in Virginia. She was born Oct. 18, 1930, in Winton to John and Irene (Toratti) Juhola and graduated from Embarrass High School in 1948. Funeral services will be held Monday, Oct. 20, 2014, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. with visitation one hour prior.