Obituaries

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.

Marjorie D. Trembath, 86, of Ely, passed away at the Cook Nursing Home on January 30, 2020.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. First Lutheran Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Arthur R. Skantz (Art), author of the memoir “A Kid from Ely,” died on January 26, 2020, having been surrounded by family in his last weeks. A private family service was held immediately after his death and an open house celebration of his life will be held on February 29 for friends and family to share memories (details below).

Judith “Susie” May Dargontina died at Brookdale Memory Care January 29, 2020 following a long battle with dementia. She was 73.

Susie was born on May 9, 1946 in Ely, MN to her parents, Steven and Rose Pluth. She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1964, and Pine City Technical and Community College in 1966. She married Albert Dargontina in 1969. She lived and worked in Ely as an administrative assistant for the Ely Medical Center. Susie worked for the State of Minnesota for more than 25 years with positions at Vermilion Community College and the MN Department of Revenue. During that time, she also enjoyed teaching Community Education classes at VCC, specializing in early versions of Microsoft Office. Susie was a patient and supportive teacher with a passion for computer literacy in older adults. She retired in 2010 and spent her remaining time in Ely with the Ely Klown Band, the Lutheran Church Choir, and counting money at the Ely Area Credit Union.

Robert Matson, 71, of Ely, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.