Obituaries

Margaret Jeanne Randall
April 7, 1943 ~ July 11, 2014
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Jeanne Randall announces her passing after a prolonged battle with Lewy Body Dementia, on Friday, July 11, 2014, at the age of 71 years. A native of Ely, Minnesota, Marge attended Macalester College on a National Merit Scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree and practicing as a medical technologist at various locations in Minnesota and Oregon before becoming the Director of Laboratory Services at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport, Oregon.
Marge was a lover of great food, wine, and music. One of her favorite past times was cooking and sharing a great meal with family and friends. She was also a talented pianist and organist. Marge served many years as an organist at Atonement Lutheran Church in Newport, Oregon.

Adele Wallis Ciriacy, 93, died on November 15, 2013, surrounded by family. She was born on August 21, 1920, in Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Ely in 1954.
She is survived by five children: Sparkie, Ted (Peg), Debbie, Missie (Jed) Ruberto, and Timothy (Mary) as well as eight grandchildren : Maryann, Allie, Aaron, Luke, Sarah, Emily, Mike and David.
A gathering for Adele Ciriacy’s family and friends will be held on Saturday, August  2 from 1:00-4:00 at the lake.

Evelyn Marie Arntz, 86, bravely and thoughtfully said good-bye to her children and grandchildren and died peacefully on Friday, July 18, 2014, at Essentia Health – Virginia following a battle with respiratory illness.  She was born June 16, 1928, to Anton and Jenny (Johnson) Handegard near Lake Park, MN.  Evie graduated from Lake Park High School in 1945.  She was united in marriage to Aldo Arntz on April 9, 1949, in Lake Park Lutheran Church.  After their marriage they farmed in the Lake Park area – moving to Babbitt in 1956.  Evie resided in Babbitt for 57 years.  She lived at Washington Manor and Edgewood Vista in Virginia this past year. 

John T. Zupin, 79, of Babbitt passed away Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at his home.
 
He was born on October 15, 1934 in Ely to Simon and Johanna (Brince) Zupin and was a 1952 graduate of Ely Memorial High School.
 
John served in the U. S. Marine Corp during the Korean War and participated in the Tai Chen Island evacuation  to Formosa.
 
He married Judy North in 1960 and worked as an electrician at Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt for 30 years and then 9 1/2 years at LTV Mining in Hoyt Lakes.
 
John was a hunter, fisherman and was well known for his smoked fish and polish; and he was an avid gardener and loved to work in his yard.
 
One of his fondest memories was a trip he made with his son John to Great Bear Lake in the Arctic Circle.
 
John was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt; a 60 year member of Maki-Pinola American Legion Post 535 and VFW Post 1539, both of Babbitt.

Eleanor Ruth Costello Smith, 93, went peacefully home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus at the Boundary Water Care Center the morning of January 3, 2014 after a short bout of illness.  
She was born on August 16, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois.  Eleanor married Louis Smith at the age of 24 and they moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin.  She moved to Ely with Louie in the spring of 1984, where both her sisters resided.  She nursed her husband for 8 years until he died of cancer in the fall of 1984.  She and Louie had no children.
Eleanor had a very gentle, sweet spirit.  She was kind and generous to her family and friends, especially with her love & prayers.  She was actively involved with the Baptist Church since 1984, now called the Ledgerock Community Church, where she developed many close friends.

Albin Kotchevar, 91 of Westland, Michigan, formerly of Ely, MN passed away Thursday, November 14, 2013 at Garden City Hospital, in Garden City, Michigan. He was born July 23, 1922 in Ely, Minnesota to Frances and Anton Kotchevar. Albin was raised and educated in Ely schools, graduating in 1940 from Ely Memorial High School.
He worked in the mine until he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942. He served on the USS Leyte in the Pacific until he was honorably discharged in 1948. After the war, Albin became engaged to former classmate Rose Lanfranchi. Albin and Rose were married in Detroit, Michigan on April 30, 1949. He worked as an engineer for General Motors until his retirement in 1980.
Albin is survived by daughters Rose Ann (Micheal) McHugh of Bloomfield Hills, MI and Jeanne (Scott) Fuller of Livonia, MI; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Gregory E. Schulze, 53, passed away on Saturday June 14, 2014 at the Peace of Mind Group Home in Duluth, Minnesota. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and graduated from Mounds View High School. Greg was a creative artist and avid Rock and Roll fan and will be remembered for his kindness, generosity and willingness to assist others, particularly with his family’s former business at Timber Wolf Lodge on Bear Island Lake and current business with Schulze Excavating in Ely, Minnesota.
Greg is survived by his brother Jeff (Lori) Schulze, nieces Savannah Schulze, Ali Schulze, Laura Schulze and nephew Cody Schulze.
Greg was preceded in death by his parents Warren and Margaret Schulze, Grandfather Warren and beloved Grandmother Frieda Schulze.

Frances Jean Loushin Grahek, 90, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 10, 2015 in Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. She was the youngest of nine children, born on October 29, 1923 in Ely.
She married Steve A. Grahek on Dec. 30, 1950 and she lived most of her life in Ely as a mother and homemaker. She enjoyed caring for her family as well as cooking, reading novels, working crossword puzzles and, of course, baking - especially her homemade apple potica which has been been sent all across the U.S.A.
Frances so loved animals and nature. No matter what the weather you could always see her walking her furry best companion, her dog Teddy. She often called these walks her “serenity” time where she was often praying and reflecting on her life.
She also loved to dance to her favorite polka songs. On weekends you could see Fran and Steve cutting the rug at Dee’s Bar, gliding along the floor as one.

Suzanne Helen (Suzie) Swanson, 52, of Babbitt went to be with her Lord on July 14, 2014.  She was born September 20, 1961 to Helen and the late Lester Swanson. She attended Bible School and was confirmed and baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Babbitt.
Suzanne graduated from John F Kennedy High School in 1981. She worked  at the Ely hospital as a kitchen helper and retired from the Benville Carquest after 28 years of service.  She loved Peach her dog, Oreo her cat, feeding the deer and birds. She especially enjoyed her trips to Alaska, fishing with her brothers and family reunions.  
Suzanne’s memory was unbelievable as she could recall most peoples birthdays, anniversaries and children’s names etc...
She spent the past two years in a group home in Virginia, which was such a comfortable and loving home with caring staff and manager.
Suzanne was preceded in death her father, Lester Swanson in 1992 (Suzanne was his pride and joy).

Lana Alene Simon, 84, passed away June 28, 2014 at Memorial Hospital - Bakersfield, CA. 

She was a 45-year resident of Ely and with her husband Leo was active in numerous bowling leagues, craft groups and her church. She loved the outdoors and gardening, traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, her son Jim living in Atlanta, Georgia, two grandchildren and one great grandchild. Lana was one of 13 children and is survived by six siblings. Services and internment for her were held at Greenlawn Funeral Home-Bakersfield.