Obituaries

Marilyn Jean Misch (Muhvich), 82, beloved mother, sister and friend was called to her eternal resting place on Friday, February 7, 2020.
She entered this world on Wednesday, October 27, 1937, in Ely, MN, born to John and Mary Muhvich. She was preceded in death by her soulmate and loving husband, Allen Misch, MD.
She is survived by daughters, Kathryn Newman (Karl), Patricia Mackay, Jeanne Parker (Douglas); her son, David (Debora); five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Sandy McNeley; and her brothers, Michael Muhvich, and John Muhvich. Marilyn was a devoted Catholic and loved her faith and church family.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, February 15, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Community, 12500 Carmel Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122. The graveside service followed at Gate of Heaven Cemetery

Charles “Chuck” Vesel passed away February 15th, 2020 at Fairview Range Medical Center, Hibbing, with his family at his side.
Chuck was born to Ann (Merhar) and John Vesel in Ely, MN on December 28th, 1933. He graduated from Ely High School, attended Ely Community College, until enlisting in the United States Army serving 2 years in the U.S. and Japan. Upon return, he graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in 1961 as an Electrical Engineer. During his time in Milwaukee he met Susan Mason and fell in love. They were married December 30th, 1960 in St. Louis, MO. They started their family in Knoxville, TN where he was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Chuck, Susan, and family moved to Hibbing in 1964 where he worked for McKee Engineering and a was founding partner in NORAMCO Engineering.

Mary Wachter Smith, 92, of Elkton, daughter of the late William and Alberta Madigan, left this life quietly on Thursday, February 13, 2020. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death first by the love of her life, Kenneth A. Wachter, then her late-in-life husband, Ralph H. Smith. She also lost a daughter, Lori Ann Russo, to cancer.
Mary was born in Quincy, IL on February 26, 1927. She spent a memorable childhood there and graduated from Quincy High School in 1944.
She is survived by two daughters, Janet Kavanaugh (Bruce) of Elkton, VA, Barbara Rothe (Gary) of Springfield, NH, and a stepdaughter, Kathy Norris, of Sunrise Beach, MO. She also leaves four grandchildren, Keith, Todd, Kristin, and Lindsey, seven great-grandchildren, and four nephews.

Joel Adamic, formerly of Ely, passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

Dennis Ray Kurpius 67, of Superior, Montana passed away on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in an accident at his residence.
Dennis was born on May 22, 1952, to Verna and Stanley Kurpius in Ada, Minnesota. Dennis’s family later moved to Babbitt, Minnesota, where he grew up and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1970. On July 26, 1975, he married his wife of 29 years, Sandra Novak.
In 1977, while on a motorcycle trip with friends, he wandered into Superior where he would end up making a home with his family for the next 42 years.
He worked as a millwright and later a supervisory millwright, traveling across the world installing and rebuilding gas and steam turbines. He took great pride in his crew of whom he considered an extended family.

Jane Blackmore Ogston, 83, of Duluth, Minnesota passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020.
She was born on August 16, 1936 to William and Sadie Manninen in Ely, Minnesota. Jane graduated from Ely High School in 1954 and went on to graduate from Macalester College in 1959.

Joseph R. Miklavcich, 71, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Aubrey Ann Klingfus, age 14, lifelong resident of Virginia unexpectedly became an angel on Thursday, January 30, 2020, at Essentia Health in Virginia, due to ongoing health issues. She was born July 26, 2005, in Hibbing the daughter of Ashley Rinell and Derek Klingfus. She was in the 9th Grade at Mt. Iron-Buhl High School.
Aubrey was involved in the One-Act Play competition, dance, track and field, and archery. She loved animals, being at the cabin on Lake Leander, fishing, dogsledding, playing guitar, and many outdoor activities. She was an avid Vikings fan and loved coaching from the couch. Aubrey cherished spending time with family and friends. She attended Messiah Lutheran Church in Mt. Iron. Aubrey will be remembered for her goofy faces, sense of humor, and her ability to live life to the fullest.

Doris J. Eisenhart, 88, of Ely, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2020 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely.
Doris was born July 16, 1931 in Ely, Minnesota to John and Mary (Ylinen) Lammi. She married the her late husband Art Murphy after graduating from Ely Memorial High School. Doris worked as a secretary at Vermilion Community College. In 19** she and her late husband Ray Kenney were married. They enjoyed summers at the cabin on Fall Lake in Ely and a winter home in Sun City, AZ. In 1994 Doris married Warren H. Eisenhart. They resided in Arizona until Warren passed away in 2019. Doris enjoyed golf, travel, time with family, and her rescue dog Bingo.
Doris was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Albert, Bob and Ray.

George Steven (Steve) Isbell of Ely, MN died December 28, 2019 in North Liberty, IA while visiting family for Christmas.

Steve was born September 21, 1947 to Charles Marion Isbell and Marion Waldorf Isbell in Vinton, IA. He was the second of eight children.

He graduated from Washington High School in Vinton, IA in 1965, becoming an electrical apprentice at age seventeen and was both a residential and commercial journeyman electrician foremen and a member of IBEW local 405 until his retirement.

Steve joined the Marine Reserves for six years at age eighteen and was a Veteran.