Obituaries

Sheldon B. (“Nobby”, “Bud”) Norby, 91, of Ely passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
Sheldon was born on November 27, 1930 in Ely to Emil and Inez (Nixon) Norby and graduated from Ely High School. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War from 1950-1953. Nobby worked for the U. S. Forest Service for 35 years. After retirement, he enjoyed working at Ace Hardware in Ely.
Sheldon enjoyed working in his woodshop, fishing, bowling and dancing with his wife. He was a member of the VFW, AAD Temple Shrine and the Ely Masonic Lodge. Sheldon also loved spending time at the cabin on Eagles Nest Lake.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Michael; and a sister Jane.
Sheldon is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Carol; daughter Fay (Tom) of Cottage Grove, MN, son Moe (Pam) of Amery, WI and granddaughter Alicia; and several nieces and nephews

Rev. Morris E. Janssen, age 86, passed away at the Ely Assisted Living facility on May 10, 2022. Visitation and funeral service will be held this summer.

William (Bill) Slaughter, age 59 of Ely, MN passed in peace Saturday May 7th with family by his side in Alexandria, MN.
Bill was born and raised in Ely, MN and is where he spent most of his life. He has the northland in his blood and was able to take his favorite things; fishing, hunting, camping and dog sledding and turn it into a successful career with Bill Slaughter’s Northwoods Guide Service for over 25 years.
Before starting a guide service, Bill proudly served in the United States Army and National Guard. Bill enjoyed serving in Ely’s Honor Guard and showing his respect to our active and retired military along with paying his respect to lost soldiers.

Sandra Lee Hughes, age 75, of Grand Rapids, MN and formerly of Ely, MN passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022 at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital.
Born in 1947, Sandra was the daughter of Helen (Beseman) and Raymond Warrington in Ely, Minnesota. Sandra grew up on a resort outside of Ely that her parents owned and operated. She attended Section 30 School and graduated from Ely High School. She attended Vermilion Jr. College earned her Associates degree and then studied at Bemidji State University where she met Michael Hughes. They were married in 1970. They made their home in Minneapolis where Sandra was a NW Bell operator until 1999. She then was offered a job as an Account Executive with AT&T. In 1999, Michael and Sandra moved to Grand Rapids to retire on McAvity Lake.

Sandra Lee Hughes, age 75, of Grand Rapids, MN and formerly of Ely, MN passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Arrangements are pending at Libbey Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, Minnesota. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.libbeyfuneralhome.com.

James A. Barnett, 75, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

John Steven Vesel, age 56, a resident of Aberdeen, Washington, died on April 21, 2022, at Harbor Regional Hospital, Aberdeen. John was born on May 4, 1965, in Ely, Minnesota to John Vincent and Rosemary (Bishoff) Vesel. He was the youngest of six children and the youngest of 32 cousins on the Vesel side of the family.
John was raised in Ely, Minnesota and attended Ely Memorial High School. After serving in the US Army, he relocated to the state of Washington and married Sherry Burtenshaw. John became a master electrician and later, he and Sherry owned their own company, J.V. Electric, LLC.
John will always be remembered for his loving, kind, gentle spirit and his infectious laugh, not to mention his love for his family and his dog, Bailey and other pets.

Thomas H. Blyton, 66, of Ely, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2022 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dale (Tom) Soderberg passed away April 30, 2022 after an illness, while receiving the exceptional care of Edgewood Healthcare Fargo, Hospice of the Red River Valley and his wife Julie. Other loving family were also present with Dale at the end of his life.
Dale was born on March 26, 1938 in Soudan, MN, the son of Carl and Bertha (Westerin) Soderberg. Dale attended Tower-Soudan Schools and graduated from high school there. Dale then received his undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota Duluth and went on to become a proud alumni of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. He served in the Army Medical Corps for several years, stationed at Hohenfels Army Base in Germany. Dale later owned a dental practice in Ely and Tower MN until he retired.

Lee Roger Gustafson, 72, of Cook, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday April 28, 2022 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth.
Lee was born on February 26, 1950 to Gust Jr. and Elfva (Persson) Gustafson in Virginia, MN. Lee grew up in Cook, graduating from Cook High School in 1968. He then attended Bemidji State College before returning home to partner with his brother Lloyd in acquiring the family business, Gustafson Motors Ford Dealership. Lee and his brother operated the business for 40 years, totaling the Gustafson family ownership to 75 years. Lee lived in Cook but resided at Lake Vermilion in the summer.
Lee loved being an uncle and participated in many family gatherings. He attended his nephew’s sports and school activities regularly. He was a proud business owner and treated his clients like family. He enjoyed swimming, boating and specialty cars.