Obituaries

Joseph P. Pryatel, 79, of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at his residence. Per Joe’s request there will be no services. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Donald L. Knutson, 92, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
Donald was born on November 8, 1926 in Stanhope, Iowa. In 1952 he married Mary Ann Ojala. They lived in Nevis and Buhl, Minnesota before moving to Babbitt in 1955.
Don was a farmer, a milk tester and worked for Oliver Mining and Reserve Mining.
During his retirement, Don became a snowbird, enjoying socializing with new friends at Bluebonnet Park in Mission, Texas.
During the summer, he would return to Babbitt where he enjoyed fishing and hunting with friends and family; attending morning coffee at the Senior Citizens Center; and working in the yard and garden. Also, whenever possible, he willingly helped his family with various home improvement projects.
Don is survived by his wife Mary Ann, son Craig Knutson and daughter Sharon Knutson; grandson Carl Knutson and granddaughter Greta Knutson; sisters Viola Crabb and Lila Wray.

Sheila Phelps, 65, of Ely, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. A celebration of life will be held on June 15 at 2 p.m. at Kerntz Funeral Home.

Mae Louise Pirila Zeise, 91, died Wednesday, May 8, 2019 in Summerfield, FL. She was born on May 6, 1928, in Ely, to Saima (Lahti) and Oscar Pirila. She graduated from Ely Junior College.

Robert "Bob" Cooper, 71, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2019 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Edith Mae Olsen, 97, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Carefree Assisted Living in Virginia, MN surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Edith was the mother of four children and an educator on the Iron Range who was one of the last one room school teachers in Minnesota. She was a wonderful French cook and her great meals were central to her family life.
She is survived by her sons Hans (Eve) Olsen III and Paul Olsen, daughter Winnifred Olsen, grandson Hans (Skeet) Olsen IV and Chad Olsen, and granddaughters Marja Nelson and Christine Klein, and six great-grandchildren, Kayla, Erik, Christian, John, Lily and Anna along with many nieces and nephews and other family members living in the area. Edith also enjoyed the company of a few remaining friends of her own generation right to the end of her long, sweet life. She cherished those friendships. May Heaven keep her.

Timothy A. Konye, 38, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2019 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely

Doris L. Dianoski, 90, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, May 3, 2019 at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Sharon J. Karlinski (nee Kantorski), 75, of Maplewood, MN, formerly of Ely, MN, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on February 7, 2019. Sharon is survived by the children she cherished; Marlene (Rick) Smith of Madison, WI; David (Stephanie) Karlinski of Hermosa, SD; and Karen Karlinski of Hugo, MN. She is also survived by her grandchildren Abbey and Kevin Karlinski, special friends Ron and Rosa Hornig of Ely, and her beloved feline friend, Suzie.
Sharon was preceded in death by her parents Walter and Alice Kantorski of Buffalo NY, and numerous aunts and uncles. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Bernard John Pruse, Sr., 94, of Ely, Minnesota passed away peacefully, surrounded by family in his White Iron Lake home on the evening of Wednesday April 30, 2019.
Bernie was born in Ely on August 27, 1924 to Joseph and Katherine Pruse. Attended Ely schools until he was graduated in 1942. When turning 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy to join the fleet in the South Pacific during WWII. He served aboard the USS San Diego CL-53 for the duration of the war, surviving over 40 engagements, earning 18 battle stars and was aboard the first allied war ship to enter Tokyo Bay, the day after his 21st birthday, to end the war.
Following the war, Bernie was educated on the GI Bill at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and was a member of the Carpenter’s Union for 65 years. Also a proud member of VFW Post 2717 and the U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association.