Obituaries

Donald E. Church, 87, of Ely, passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 1, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on January 4, 1932. Don was a retired U.S. Navy veteran who proudly served aboard the USS Oglethorpe during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1985. Don was a member of the Ely Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion and the VFW.
Don was pre-deceased by his parents, Enid and William, and his grandparents, William and Marguerite, and brother-in-law, Lynn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances; children, Elaine (Wayne) and Edward (Margie); grandchildren Sara (Ben), Emily (Mike), Zachary (Gretchen) and Dylan; great-grandchildren Carter and Caylee; sisters Mary, Shirley, Roberta (Cliff) and Lucille (Bob); and several nieces and nephews.

Richard (Dick) Angelo Mobilia, 78, died on Thursday, February 28, 2019 surrounded by his family at Chestnut Grove Assisted Living in Virginia, MN after nine months trying to overcome a traumatic brain injury.
Richard was born on February 7, 1941 in Ely, MN to Angelo and Angela (Miklaucic) Mobilia.
He married Karon (Coey) on May 30, 1964. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1959, joining the Navy for four years, where he toured the Mediterranean on the USS Independence. Richard attended Eveleth Technical College obtaining a certificate in welding. He worked at Erie Mining/LTV Mining for 31 years before retiring in 1999. He served on the Ely City Council for four years. Richard enjoyed ice fishing, golf and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Lillian Esther (Taapa) Seme, 97, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. She was born in 1921 in Embarrass, the daughter of Charles and Mary Taapa.
In 1946 she married Anton Frank Seme and they had two sons: Anthony and Mark.
Lillian was an excellent wife, mother and homemaker, always putting her family first. She loved cooking and making potica, even on a wood range. Coming back to the woods gave her joy. She love the birds and critters, even bears and wolves although she did have to fend off a bear with a pistol once.
During WWII she was in Seattle, WA building B-17s and B-29s for the war effort. A true “Lil” the Riveter!

Susan Marie (Crawford) Morgan, 65, passed away on February 25, 2019. Her final calling to God was at Kindred Hospital, with her husband Dwight by her side.
Sue was born in Stoughton, WI on June 7, 1953, to Richard Crawford and Barb (Mattson) Crawford Johnson, both of whom resided in Schroeder, MN.
Sue lived life to the fullest, loved her family and many friends. She moved to Kentucky in July of 1999, with support and some protest of her family. It was the hardest decision she had to make, but later found out that it was the correct decision. This is where she wanted and needed to be. It was God’s calling for her.
She enjoyed cooking and raising her farm animals; especially the miniature goats, pigs and horses, with her husband Dwight on their farm in Leitchfield, KY. Smiles and happiness proliferated with her in helping deliver the baby animals and caring for them.

Clay Reeves, 66, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, February 22, 2019 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

LT Kaitlyn Velsvaag, 23, passed away Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC.
Kaitlyn was born at Womack Army Medical Center, Ft. Bragg, NC on April 9, 1995. She graduated from Wiesbaden High School, Wiesbaden, Germany in 2013 and received an Army ROTC Scholarship to the University of Dubuque, Iowa. In May of 2017 she graduated with Majors in Criminal Justice and Psychology and a Minor in Military Science. After commissioning she branched Military Police (MP) and was incredibly honored to be assigned to the 503rd MP Battalion (Airborne) at Fort Bragg. She proudly completed Airborne school in November.
Kaitlyn is loved by so many for her kind and beautiful soul. She will be greatly missed.

Gertrude “Trudy” (Rydeski) Steiskal, 95, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Memorial service at a later date as requested by family. To be held at the Polish National Catholic Church near Harding, MN. Survive by nieces, nephews and many friends. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Jack Lindgren, 92, of Oklahoma City OK, passed away on Jan. 25. He was born in Ely Minnesota in 1926 and served in the U.S. Navy.

Patricia Jean (Palmer) Wickett, 87, of Virginia, formerly of Babbitt, passed away Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Patricia was born December 18, 1931, in Lanesboro, MN to Orrie and Alice (Palmer). In 1946, the family moved to Harmony, MN, where she graduated from high school in 1946. She then attended the Harding Beauty School in Winona and received her cosmetology license in 1950. She worked in shops in Austin and Preston and later was assistant cashier at a bank in Harmony. She was united in marriage to Richard E. Wickett on August 5, 1951. The lived in Harmony and Canton before moving to Babbitt in 1956.
She was a member of the Woodland Presbyterian Church, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Babbitt Golf Association, Women’s bowling Association for over 35 years, Dance Club, Babbitt Knight Riders, Snowmobile Club, and was active in Cub Scouting for a number of years.

Carl Thomas Mistek, September 26, 1943 – February 2, 2019. It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Carl Thomas Mistek of San Jose. Carl peacefully entered into rest with his soulmate and loving wife, Gina, by his side. A strong man, fierce patriot and generous person, he believed in giving back and was frequently seen with a big smile and heard with a deep laugh. He greatly enjoyed visiting with too many friends to mention, spending time with his cherished and precious dog Brandi, working on a crossword puzzle or enjoying a quick-witted joke.
Carl leaves behind his adoring sister, Mary “Missy” Davis and brother, Jerome (Aneta) Mistek; cohort and brother-in-law, Philip (Marlene) Chantri; loving parents-in-law, Bruno (Gloria) Galli; cherished nephews, Joseph Mistek, Jonathan (Mary) Davis and Philip “Mickey” Chantri; adoring niece Jodi (Steve) Moore and precious great-nieces Jamie and Kristen Moore.