Obituaries

It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of this great daughter of Ely MN, Shirley Marie Riemer (Klun) on September 19, 2020. Shirley was 79 years young and had been residing at Ely Carefree Living. She died of complications attributed to Covid 19.

Mary Ann Trancheff, nee Markovich, passed away peacefully, a victim of COVID19 at Carefree Living Care Center on September 13, 2020. She was born on February 4, 1930. She was a lifelong resident of both Ely and Lake Vermilion.

She was preceded in death by her husband George Trancheff, her parents Matthew and Ann Markovich and her sister- in- law Mary Markovich. She is survived by her sons: Michael (Rebecca) Trancheff, Blaine, and Patrick (Ellen) Trancheff, Tower. Grandchildren: Megan (Dan) Sailsbury, Lino Lakes, Kirsten Trancheff, Blaine, Brian (Elina), Tower and Laura Trancheff, Minneapolis. Great grandchildren: Calvin, Max and Jonah Sailsbury and Ella and Mille Trancheff. Brother: Matthew Markovich, Ely and brother- in -law: Matthew (Jean) Trancheff, Long Island.

We wish to thank the staff at Carefree Living for their excellent and compassionate care of Mary Ann over the past 5 years. You are all truly heroes in our eyes.

Lois Struna, 92, of Ely, MN., passed away in Ely on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.
God posted a job opening today. It read: Looking for a mature woman who was an incredible mother, was a faithful wife, an outstanding cook and someone that can balance a checkbook to the penny over a lifetime. Must also be able to make a quilt from scratch or paint a beautiful watercolor painting from her imagination.
Our mom, being a perfect example of the greatest generation, decided it was the right job for her. So on this Wednesday evening, after a long and brief struggle from a stroke several years ago, and a recent positive test So on this Wednesday evening, after a long and brief struggle from a stroke several years ago, and a recent positive test for Covid-19, she decided to pack her things and head straight to heaven to apply for the job.

Ronald Douglas MacMillan, 79 08/01/1936 - 07/11/2015
Elizabeth Kay MacMillan, 76, 07/11/1944 - 09/16/2020

Edith Renee Tedrick
July 21, 1945-September 17, 2020

Edith (Edie) Renee Tedrick, age 75 of Ely, passed away peacefully Thursday, September 17, 2020.

Edie was born July 21, 1945 in Ely to Lillian and Tom Richards. She was a graduate of Ely Memorial High School class of 1963. Edie married Dennis Tedrick on February 15th 1964. Together they had two sons, Gary and Pete.

Edie was an active member of the Ely community. She was a devoted member of the Ely United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed making pasties and knitting prayer shawls. She was an active member of the Eastern Stars and also was an Ely City Council Member.

Roy Clarence Carlson, 93, of Ely, died on Friday, September 11, 2020 at Carefree Living in Ely.
He was born on May 14, 1927, the son of Waldemar and Anna (Hendrickson) Carlson. He grew up in Tower where he attended school. He served in the Army in Korea during 1945. He worked for Tomahawk Timber, then 30 years at Reserve Mining as a foreman before retiring at the age of 57.
Roy was united in marriage to Katherine Preblich on August 30, 1952 in Ely. They established their home in Ely, where they raised their four children.

Raymond Alexander Nickolson, 86, passed away Saturday, September 12th at Carefree Living in Ely MN. He died among caretakers who put their lives at risk every day to make dying during this horrendous time a little less painful. COVID-19 took his life a little sooner than his body wanted but his mind was ready to let go. We are comforted in knowing his struggle with dementia is finally over and he can now be at peace.
He was an up north native, born in Two harbors, raised in Robinson, and lived most of his life in Ely. He met his wife, Veronica, in Ely and they spent many years together in Robinson with Ray’s family, eventually settling into their home in Ely with their daughter Ruth.

Anita Peterson, 82 of Ely died Saturday, September 12, 2020 with family by her side. She was born on July 11, 1939 in Menahga, MN to Harry and Francelia Luukkonen. She graduated from Ely H.S. She was married to Earl Palmer Peterson for 47 years. She worked as a beautician and enjoyed her flower gardens. She is survived by her sisters; Delores Potter of Ely, Jeanette (Dean) Theel of Nenana, Alaska, and Vicky Koski of Virginia, MN. Her brothers; Edwin (Judy) Luukkonen, Edward (Diane) Luukkonen, Alland Luukkonen all of Ely. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 16 at 1pm at the Ely Cemetary. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the Ely Cemetery. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Gloria Smuk, lifelong resident of Ely, passed away at Carefree Living on September 11, 2020. Sadly she was a victim of COVID-19.
She was born on June 13, 1939 to Peter & Marcella Bianchi of Ely. She married William Smuk on October 29, 1955. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She raised five children and lost two daughters to cancer.
Gloria was very active in her community. Starting with PTA and then President of many organizations; VFW Auxiliary, Slovenian women, Yugoslav National Home, and also volunteering at the church for many positions. She worked at Barbara Ann Bakery and catered many events. She worked as a “lunch lady” at the Ely school for many years and later Northern Expressions.

Allen D. Grembowski from Ely, MN passed away with his girls, Amy, Jenn, Jade and Bev and son-in-law Joe by his side.
On Monday, September 7th, 2020 at the age of 63 years old, he lost his battle to COPD not Covid.
He is survived by his daughters: Amy Stahl and Jenn (Joe) Wold; granddaughter Jade Stahl; his siblings: Gale (Terri) Grembowski, Bev (Jim) Kappes, Joe (Diane) Grembowski, and Mike Grembowski along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by parents Geraldine and Al Grembowski, son-in-law Ryan Stahl, niece Missy Grembowski, nephews Jake Grembowski and David VanVickle.
Service will be held Saturday September 19th, 2020 at Ely Gospel Tabernacle Church with visitation at 10 a.m., the service at 11 a.m. and a luncheon to follow the service.