Obituaries

Darnell Henry Stage, age 81 of Ely, passed away peacefully July 5, 2020 in Ely, surrounded by loved ones. He was born December 8, 1938 to Herman and Emma (Dehne) Stage in Cobden, Minnesota. Darnell was united in marriage to Bonnie Lou Russell on May 20, 1961.
Darnell was drafted to serve in the United States Army, and was stationed in Germany in 1962 and 1963. Upon his return home, Darnell was employed at Ochs Brick and Tile in Springfield, MN, and then at the Minneapolis Space Center for a combined 30 years.
Darnell and Bonnie raised three sons, celebrated many anniversaries, and enjoyed spending time with family. They went on exciting cruises and had memorable travels to Canada, Alaska, Idaho, the Caribbean, and many other destinations. Together, Darnell and Bonnie lived in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, and finally concluded their adventures, settling into many happy years of retirement on Eagle’s Nest Lake #1 in Ely.

Beverly Jane (Niemi) Lewis, 94, of Ely, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, July 30, 2020, with her daughter Peggy and granddaughters Heidi and Hollee at her side.

She was born May 22, 1926, the youngest of five children born to Finnish immigrants Isaac and Hilma Niemi.

She graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1944 and attended Ely Junior College.

She married William (Bill) Lewis on September 18, 1947, and raised their three children in Ely.

Bill and Bev owned a cabin on Burntside Lake and she loved spending time there with her family and friends. She was a skilled fisherwoman and loved sharing her favorite fishing spots with her family. Beverly loved warm summer days at her cabin followed by nights curled up on the couch with a lap full of grandkids and a good scary movie.

Beverly was a home maker. She loved music and enjoyed sharing stories of her dancing days. She was a lifelong and faithful member of First Lutheran Church.

Alice Susan Aluni (Prisk)
Born November, 12, 1937 in Ely MN to Albert and Mercedes Prisk. Died July 23, 2020, Delano.MN., Loving wife, mother, nana, sister and friend. Always quick with a smile and positive attitude. She will be missed dearly by everyone lucky enough to have known her. Attended schools in Ely, Virginia and graduated in 1955 from Grand Rapids High School. She received a Medical Secretary Degree from Minneapolis School of Business.
She married her high school sweetheart Donald Aluni in January 1959.
Survived by her husband Don, sons Quin & Mike Aluni and Daughter Alison (Tony) Williams, grandaughter Kirsten (Jon) Hoogenakker and grandsons Paul & Gerrit Hoogenaker and Cy and Dio Aluni. Preceeded in Death by her daughter Teri Hoogenakker, parents Albert and Mercedes Prisk and siblings Adair Thompson, Bud (Albert) Prisk and Emmery Prisk. Also, her In-Laws Quinto and Angie Aluni.

Ruth Ann Reed, age 70 of Babbitt, died Saturday, July 25, 2020 surrounded by her family, in her home. She was born December 13, 1949 in Jackson, Mississippi the daughter of Charles Howard and Willie Mae (Covey) Cox, I. She married the light of her life, Michael Richard Reed on November 26, 1972 in Ferriday, LA. They lived in Louisiana, until moving to Ely in 1989; in 2012 they moved to Babbitt. Ruth was employed as a cab driver, was a census taker, a housekeeper in the hospital, and was a homemaker. She bowled in leagues in Ely, liked to crochet, take care of her house plants, and fish. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her family.

Justine P. Korent Pogorelski Boldine, age 97, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2020 in St. Cloud, MN.
The beauty and strength of Justine’s faith, hope and peace will live on through the lives of her beloved family: children: Patricia Marn (Rick Lockard), Charles (Mary) Boldine, Deborah (Mark) Sjogren; Grandchildren: Derek Marn, Tracey Marn, Sarah (Andy) Quintana, Elissa Boldine, Miranda (Daniel) Balizan; great grandchildren: Taylor Marn, Claire Quintana, Candace Quintana, Lillian Balizan and Emma Balizan.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John’s Episcopal Church or Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society in St. Cloud, MN.
A memorial celebration of Justine’s life will be held in St. Cloud at a later date and future burial will take place at the Cemetery in Ely, MN.

John W. Schwegel, age 75, beloved Father, Grandfather (Gramps) and Brother, passed away on July 17, 2020 after a long battle with heart failure.
John was born on February 25th, 1945 in Milwaukee, WI to John and Sylvia (Carlson) Schwegel. John moved to Ely, MN with his family as a young boy. He grew up with a love of the woods, camping, fishing, hunting and canoeing in the nearby BWCA. John went to Ely Junior College from 1963-1965, then graduated from University of Minnesota in Duluth in 1967. In October 1967, John served his country by joining the US Army. He served until May of 1969, with most of his service in Vietnam. In 1969, John was honorably discharged with a National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals, and an Army Commendation Medal. John was actively participating in and supporting veteran services and charities throughout his life.

George Muhvich, 85, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dennis Lee LaFollette Jan 5, 1952 – July 12, 2020

Helen Margaret Adkisson, age 94 of Ely and formerly of Tower died June 28, 2020, at home of natural causes. She was born July 11, 1925 in Soudan and was a 1943 graduate of Tower-Soudan High School. After graduation, Helen moved to San Francisco to help her sister and work for the United State Army, and met Charles Adkisson. They were married on August 5, 1944 at The Presidio of San Francisco, CA. They returned to Tower and were longtime residents.
Helen is survived by: Children: Charles E. (Margaret) Adkisson, Brooklyn Center, MN; Gregory (Gloria Gervais) Adkisson, Eagles Nest/Ely, MN; Mary Lee Erickson, Ely, MN; Scott (Dawn) Adkisson, Red Wing, MN; Joseph Adkisson, Babbitt, MN; Jean (Jess) Lindsay, Iowa Falls, IA; Daughter-in-law: Nancy (Dennis) Olds; 10 Grandchildren; 20 Great-Grandchildren; Sister: Rose Patti; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Mary Lynn Smith (Ryder) passed away on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at the age of 30 in her home in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Mary Smith was born March 13th, 1990 in Ely Minnesota to Luthera and Carl Smith. She graduated from Virginia High School in 2008. Mary previously lived in Babbitt MN, Virginia MN, Mankato MN, as well as in the states of South Dakota and Iowa.
Mary’s number one priority in life was her children and she loved them very much. She also enjoyed camping, concerts, being outdoors, and being with her family and friends.
Mary is survived by her children Keilo Riihiluoma, Connor Kremer. Her mother, Luthera (Palmer) Smith. Her father, Carl Smith. Sisters: Melissa Smith, Betty Smith, Frances (Eric) Gunderson. Brothers: Charlie Smith, Carl Smith. Her step-sister and step-brother Millennium Rankin and Donald Rankin (respectively). Her grandfather, Gary (Sandy) Palmer. Numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces, Nephews, and foster family members.