Obituaries

Wynette Leonore “Bunny” Rova, age 86, passed away on April 8, 2022.
Bunny was born in Winton, MN and received her nickname on day one. Her childhood was spent at resorts long gone now–on Newton & Basswood Lakes (currently the BWCA), where her parents were caretakers.
She graduated from Ely HS in 1953 and then U of MN in 1957. She and Ely-ite Bill Rova were married in Aug 1957 at the Americana Lodge on Basswood Lake. They lived in Hibbing and Minnetonka before settling in Plymouth, in a home designed/built by Bill Sr where they raised their 5 sons.
Bunny was a Cub Scout leader, baseball mom and a very active member of the church where she met many lifelong friends. With their boys in school, she remained busy working at Anita Beck’s Reindeer House, Department 56 & Odin.
Her life was full. Knitting was a constant. She kept family, friends, and donation drives supplied with mittens, socks, scarves and sweaters year after year.

Marilyn Brandau, age 90, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Arizona.
She is survived by her children, Karen (Wally) Krause, Michael (Kathy), James (Kathy), and Thomas (Julie), 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her loving husband, Lloyd, parents, Frank and Victoria Wesolowski, brothers, Frank, Gene and Ron and sister, Eleanor Bettenhausen.
Marilyn worked as a young lady in Cavett’s Drug Store in Tinley Park where she earned the nickname “Soda Jerk.” She farmed with her husband Lloyd for many years in the Tinley Park area.
A devout Catholic, Marilyn was a longtime member of St. George Catholic Church in Tinley Park and became a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manhattan in 2007 and was very involved in many church functions.

Paul Gaslin Sr, 60, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Shirley Jane (Christopher) Ackerman
April 3, 1935 to March 20, 2022,
Shirley went to her heavenly home on Sunday morning on the first day of spring. She passed peacefully at home of natural causes with the prayers and love of her family.
Shirley was born to Willie and Senia Aurora Christopher and grew up along with her sisters; Vivian, Dorothy and Norma.
Shirley graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a teaching degree. She taught Phy Ed. She married John Paul Ackerman and she moved to Ely with her husband, who was hired as a coach and Phy Ed teacher. They both worked for the Ely school system and raised their young family in Ely. She loved Ely, her friends and her church family at Grace Lutheran. Shirley loved gardening, quilting, crafts, camping and her home on the lake.
She was passionate about raising money for cancer research.
Shirley also worked for the Ely hospital and nursing home in activities later in life.

William "Bill" Palo, 83 , of Ely, passed away o Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Essentia Health- St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangement have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Evelyn Arlene (Hamar) Anderson

Frank J. Shusta, age 92, of Ely passed away to the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus on Saturday March 26, 2022 at Boundary Waters Care in Ely.
He was born October 10, 1929, in Pontiac, Michigan, to Felix and Helen (Kowalsik) Shusta.
Frank served in the Navy after his high school graduation. He married Shirley Parks of Chisholm on June 2, 1951.
Frank worked for Chevrolet dealerships on the range until deciding to enter the insurance business as his long term career in 1965, shortly after, owning his own agency until retiring in 1995.
Frank was a member of Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. His love of collecting antique cars and parts from all over showed in the cars he did get restored to enjoy driving and displaying at car shows. Frank was a long term member in many national, state and local antique car clubs.

A celebration of Leonard Bauman’s life will take place on Saturday, April 30th, 2022 at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 4901 E Superior St. Duluth, MN.
Burial at Calvary Cemetery - 4820 Howard Gnesen Rd. Duluth MN, followed by lunch at UUCD - 835 W. College St. Duluth.
Please join us in remembering and honoring Len!

Tom Julian
January 23, 1939 - March 11, 2022
Tom Julian, 83, of Babbitt passed away peacefully at home with loved ones by his side after a long and valiant fight with cancer.

Mary Ellen Karakash, 76, of Mt. Iron, died on March 6, 2022 from COVID.