Obituaries

Joshua Orcutt, 57, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Robert A. "Bob" Wilt, 85, of Ely, passed away at M Fairview Hospital University of Minnesota Medical Center on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. He was born in Duncansville, PA to P. A. "Ted" and Beatrice (Moses) Wilt.

Throughout his life Bob was passionate about fishing, hunting, golfing and spending time in the outdoors. He became an avid poker player over the years and discovered an exceptional talent for oil painting at age 75.

Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957.

He will be remembered as a kind, gentle man with a keen sense of humor, who loved his family and friends with all his heart.

Bob is survived by his son Jeffrey (Sandi) Wilt of Ely, daughter Lisa Inlow of Charlottesville, VA and grandchildren Michael Inlow of Washington, DC, Rachael Inlow and Clare Inlow of Charlottesville, VA, and Lucas Hoberg of Las Vegas NV; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

J Michael Bowers, Ph. D, of Kansas City, Missouri, died June 19, 2021, at his home. Mike was born November 12, 1943, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his B.A. and M.A. Degrees from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and his Ph.D. from University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, Oregon. He was Dean of Administration at Lincoln College, Lincoln, Illinois, Sales Manager at Merrill Lynch, Clayton, Missouri, Branch Manager of UBS/Paine Webber, Clayton, Missouri, Carmel and Indianapolis, Indiana, and finally in Kansas City, Missouri. Mike enjoyed his friends at the Lodge on Spangler Prairie in Blairstown, Missouri and spending summers at the family cabin on Eagles Nest Lake in Ely, Minnesota. Mike is survived by his wife Mary Kay (Syndergaard) and children, Jeffrey Michael Bowers and Sarah Jane Bowers, all of Kansas City, Missouri.

Charles “Charlie” Jonas, 65, of Ely, passed away peacefully at his home on June 21, 2021.
Charlie ws born on November 7, 1955 to Marvin and Cecelia Jonas. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a very talented woodburning artist. His artwork can be seen in homes around the world.
Charlie was most proud of his children and the wonderful adults they have become. Being a “PaPa” filled his heart with a special love. Madison, Timothy and Braden brought endless joy to his life.
Charlie will be greatly missed by his wife of 40 years, Patsy, his children Greg (Sarah), Tina (Colin) as well as his brothers, nieces and nephews.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Albert O. Zupancich, 74, of Virginia , passed away peacefully June 14, 2021, at his home after a courageous 16 month battle with cancer.
Al was born in Ely, MN on March 2, 1947, the first child of Albert and Margaret (Owen) Zupancich.
He was active in scouting, earning the rating of an Eagle Scout. Al played hockey throughout his high school years and grew up working in the family grocery store. He graduated from Ely High School in 1965 and attended Ely Junior College and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1969.
After owning several grocery stores, he eventually found his home in Eveleth. He proudly owned and operated Eveleth IGA for over 35 years. Al had a strong commitment to his customers and was well known for his generosity and kindness to all. He had many valued employees whom he considered family.

Clarence Joseph “Buzz” Boutelle, 94, of Lawrence, KS, formerly of Texas and Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, May 30, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Evelyn; daughter, Linette; brothers, Dave, Dwight, and Clayton; sisters, Mary Alice, Louise, Martha, and Alma; son-in-law, Richard Brock.

Dolores R. (nee Stricula) Moen, 92 of Valparaiso In, formerly of Ely MN, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2021. She was born April 13, 1928 in Chicago IL to John and Mary (née Bulak) Urban. Dolores made her career for many years as a bookkeeper in the Chicago area, before moving to Ely with her husband Ronald. While in Ely she obtained her college degree and also worked with the Federal Forest Dept as a senior citizen employee. After moving to Valparaiso IN Dolores stayed busy with her senior friends with breakfast, bingo and travels all over the world. Dolores will be remembered for her friendly personality and generous nature. She is a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who is dearly missed.

Murn, Dr. Brian F. "Bud",
age 93, of Brooklyn Center, MN. He was born in Ely, MN on November 26, 1927. He died on June 6th, 2021. Bud was the third child born to Thomas and Mary Murn of Ely, MN, where his dad was a school teacher. In the summers, Bud's parents managed Basswood Lodge inside what has now become the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). He guided guests from the lodge on Basswood Lake throughout high school and college and loved to fish throughout his life. Bud joined the Navy shortly after his high school graduation in 1945, and served as Seaman First Class until August 1946. Following his service, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in 1953. Bud met the love of his life, Donna Wimmer on a ski slope in Colorado in 1956, and they were married in 1957.

Marianne Markovich Donovan, 72, passed peacefully at Boundary Waters Care Center on Friday, June 4, 2021. She was born on August 2, 1948, at the Shipman Hospital in Ely, MN, to her dear parents Julius and Ruth (LeRoy) Markovich.
She married the love of her life Daniel Joseph Donovan in 1971. They loved their life on an area farm and Marianne was particularly fond of dogs, especially her last and favorite of all, a mini dachshund named Chloe.
She is survived by daughter Julie (Lance) Lohman and grandchildren Mike and Eric, son Robert White and grandchildren Hanna and Lydia. Siblings Patsy (Dennis) Gowell, Jimmy (Nanci) Markovich and Susie (Dean) McCauley as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, great-grandchildren and a few special friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband Daniel, her parents Julius and Ruth, and granddaughter Jessica Lohman.

Michelle "Shelley" Karen Voll passed away unexpectedly June 3, 2021, at St. Mary's hospital in Duluth, MN. She was born August 5, 1967, in Ely, MN to Melvin and Karen (Burshem) Voll. She graduated in 1985 from Ely Memorial high school and went on to attend business school in St. Cloud where she would receive her degree. On October 24, 1987 she married Frank Joseph Akins in Ely, MN. Frank and Shelley would reside in the Twin Cities area until 1998 then moved to Soudan, MN. Shelley, while in the Cities area, worked for Norwest Mortgage Company before moving back to the Iron Range where she would work for CW Sato Travel in Ely, MN.