Obituaries

Anton J. ‘Tony’ Golobich, 95, of Ely died peacefully on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Boundary Waters Care Center, one week after the passing of his beloved wife, Angie.
He was born on May 11, 1923 in Ely to Steve and Katherine (Jaketic) Golobich and graduated from Ely Memorial High School, class of 1941. During high school he was a ski jumper with the Ely Ski Club. Tony also became a skilled woodsman and trapper who understood animals and their movements. He was accomplished at finding his way in the woods, outsmarting wolves, fox, lynx, mink and beaver, especially during the Minnesota State “bounty” trapping years. He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible trapping and hunting or with a ‘line in the water’ on the Kawishiwi River and other area lakes.

Wallace “Wally”Chester Kuehl, 95, passed away on November 2, 2018 in Finland, MN surrounded by family at his home.
Wallace was born September 1, 1923 to Hugo and Harriet (Kile) Kuehl in Thorp WI. He was a proud WWII Vet, serving in the Army.
He married Vera (Cornwell) Kuehl on Jan 4, 1947. They farmed near Thorp, WI. In 1957 Wallace moved to Minnesota to work as a logger, his family followed in ’59.
He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Victor and James; sister Esther and a granddaughter, Lucinda (Cindy Lou) Kuehl.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Vera (Cornwell) Kuehl. Seven Children: Wally (Joyce), Elroy, Linda (Alan), Willy (Evelyn), Harriet (Roger), Jacqueline (Andres) and Katherine (Daniel).
Grandchildren: Reggie, Danielle, James, Suzette, Scott, Jessica, Rodney, Aaron, Travis, Roger, Karen, Benjamin, Barett. Brother Bernie (Jean) and sister Ruth (Leland) Cornwell and more than 30 great grandchildren.

Robert Donald Hodge passed away quietly on November 2, 2018, at the end of a long and happy life at 97. He is survived by his three daughters: Bobbie Hodge, of Ely, Minnesota, Vicki Hodge Tomascak (Walt) of Missoula, Montana and Becky Hodge Wahlberg (Darin Peterson), of Aurora, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Andrew Tomascak, Amara Wahlberg Chesson (Zak), Cory Tomascak (Kathleen), and Nikki Wahlberg Ibis (Luke); and three great grandchildren: Sajan Chesson, Walter James Tomascak, and Penelope Ann Tomascak. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marion Gail Hodge Higgins, and his beloved wife of 62 years, Gerrie.
Bob was the firstborn child of Frederick Charles Hodge and Anna Helena Peterson Hodge, born October 21, 1921, near Chisholm, Minnesota. He grew up with a love of hunting, trapping, fishing, gardening and raising many animals.

Paul Eugene Kyllonen, age 57, passed away at Palmer Station, Antarctica on October 23, 2018. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. Memorial service to be held at a later date.

Mary Theresa (Rom) Ferderber, 98, of Ely, passed away on Monday, October 29, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
She was born December 13, 1919 in Maverlen, Slovenia, Jugoslavia to John Rom and Mary (Schager) Rom. Mary arrived in the U.S.A. with her mother on October 1, 1922. She lived in Ely, Minnesota all of her life.
Mary married Peter A. Ferderber on May 16, 1938. They had three children: Patrick Ferderber; Diane (Alfred “Butch”) Smisek, Kenneth Ferderber married to Diana Kelly.
She is also survived by grandchildren Mara Ferderber, married to David Sireks; Brielle Ferderber, married to Patrick Loe; Garret Ferderber, married to Jenn Wilna; Kenneth Ferderber Jr., married to Alice; Carmen Ferderber, married to Patrick Skulzace; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at 11 a.m. with visitation occurring one hour prior at the church.

Mary (Bianchi) Gray, 75, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at Essentia Health- St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Marcella and Peter Bianchi, and stepfather Paul Lobe.
Mary is survived by her husband George Gray, her daughters: Marcy (Allan) Bubb, Tanya (Keith) Akins, Georgia (Jason) Akins, and Amanda (Lance) Horvat, her sisters Gloria Smuk and Judy (Ted) Curn; grandchildren Alanna, Klaeton, Hailey, Andrea, Jacob, Chase, Caitlin, Alec, Aiden, Carter, Makenna, and Jack. Nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
The family of Mary wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the CICU unit of Essentia Duluth and all her family and friends for all their love and support.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2018, with visitation an hour earlier, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Father Method presiding. A reception will follow at the Church.

Helen (Prasnicki) Laitinen, 73, of Princeton, MN, peacefully passed away on October 23rd 2018 with loving family at her side.
Helen was born in Gilman, Wisconsin to John and Helen Prasnicki on February 24th, 1945 and graduated high school in Silver Bay, Mn. Prior to retirement she worked as a receptionist for The University of Minnesota Foundation for 12 years in Minneapolis. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know her.
Helen is preceded in death by husband Gary Laitinen, parents John and Helen Prasnicki, and brothers Stephen and Frank Prasnicki.
Helen is survived by her children Tim (Lynn) Laitinen, Chris Laitinen, Bill (Cynthia) Laitinen, Steve Laitinen, Nancy (Chris) McCormick. Brothers and sisters Aloys Prasnicki, Rita (Jim) Garni, Liz Hyrkas, Roger (Rosalin) Prasnicki, and Julie (Butch) Ernst, 17 Grandchildren and seven Great-Grandchildren.

Angela F. “Angie” Golobich, 93, of Ely died peacefully on Friday, October 26, 2018 at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. She was born on May 29, 1925 in Ely to Matthew and Gertrude (Zaverl) Vertnik and graduated from Ely Memorial High School, class of 1943. Following high school, Angie worked in retail at the local J.C. Penney store until she married Anton “Tony” Golobich on September 30, 1947, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. They had three children: Roberta, Gerald and Russell.

Karen Josephine Jiacik, 78, was born June 15, 1940 in Ely. The Lord called her home on Thursday, October 25, 2018 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.
She married the love of her life Richie on October 15, 1960 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Ely. She enjoyed selling Avon 50 plus years to customers who became life-long friends. She loved spending time with her family and one of her favorite times was spending it in R & K patio with Richie admiring her beautiful flowers.
She was an avid Vikings and Gopher hockey fan.
Preceded in death by her parents Charles and Lillian Starkman, in-laws Pete and Ann Jiacik, siblings: Kenneth, Lorraine Schuler, Sandy Starkman and grandson Rustin Richards.