Obituaries

Leroy Jenson, 73, Embarrass, passed away Friday, March 22, 2019 in Ely Bloomenson Hospital with wife Pam by his side. Arrangements and full obituary are pending with Kerntz Funeral Home, Ely.

Richard Dean “Rick” Tomsich, 61, of Tower, passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
He was born on August 8, 1957, in Ely, the youngest of seven children, to Leonard “Lanko” and Nelmi (Carlson) Tomsich. Rick was a lifelong resident of Tower. He attended Tower-Soudan High School, where he played basketball and football, graduating in 1975.
He learned the family business, Tower Bakery, first hand, alongside his parents and sisters and brothers. He worked at the bakery from age 14 until it’s closing in 1990. He then worked for Pep’s Bakery in Virginia for many years and then continued on to make the famous “Tower Bakery” pasties for everyone to enjoy.

Ladonna "Donna" Bramley, 88, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2019 at Essentia Health- St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Albert “Al” Dietz Jr., 75, a US Army Veteran passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. He was a devout Catholic and his faith sustained him as he lived courageously and hopefully with lymphoma.
Al was born in Sleepy Eye, MN April 7, 1943. He is preceded in death by his parents Mary (Sorensen) and Albert J. Dietz Sr. Al is survived by his sister Caroline Dietz-Carlson and Johan Carlson, and his brother Michael Dietz and special friend Tammy Sellner as well as many friends.
Albert served in the US Army, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Fort Bliss, Texas, and South Korea from 1965 to 1967. He was proud of his service and enjoyed sharing that experience with others.

Robert Haapala passed away on March 8, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Robert was born on September 3, 1934 to August and Jennie (Herrala) Haapala. Robert was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 63 years, Clarice; siblings: Harry, Lauri, Bill, Leonard, Delores and Lilian; and grandson Neil.
Robert is survived by his children: Larry (Deb) Haapala, Ellen (Pat) Trancheff, Diane Ellis, Robin Haapala (Cory King), and Terri (Kevin) Pylka; brother in-law Alan (Rosemary) Maki, sisters-in-law: Ina Haapala and Jane Maki; grandchildren: John and Robert Ellis, Michael Shoden, Brian (Elina) Trancheff, Katrina Jensen (Adam Thole), Laura Trancheff, Jared Pylka, Trevor and Taylor King and Lily Pylka; step-grandchildren Brian, Thea Sheridan (Darren Tesser) and Matthew (Jessica) Sheridan; great-grandchildren: Lita Ellis, Tori Fleck, Zander Ellis and Ella Trancheff; special friend Joan Olson; and numerous family and friends.

Rita Beron Myntti, of Duluth, 92, died on March 5, 2019 at the Hospice of St Luke’s Hospital from complications of a fall. She was born to Raymond and Gilberte (Lachance) Beron on April 7, 1927 at home in Proctor, MN. She graduated from Proctor High School in the class of 1945.
Rita married Donald C Myntti on November 26, 1947 at St. Rose Catholic Church in Proctor, Minnesota. Yvonne McDonald, of Proctor, and Sigurd Olson Jr, of Ely, were attendants. Over their married life Rita and Don had five children and moved 25 times, cross-crossing the United States following Don’s mining and naval careers.

Marilyn Johnson, 82, of White Bear Lake, formerly of Ely passed away on March 2, 2019, after a fall on a wonderful trip to Costa Rica. She was born on July 13, 1936, in Cohasset, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arlie and Eleanor Clusiau. She was survived by her beloved husband, Bruce, her son, Mark (Désirée), her daughter, Denise, her son, Jeff (Holly), 8 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (with another girl on the way). She was in one of the first classes at the University of Minnesota to get a degree in Physical Therapy. She was a devout Catholic, working in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and bringing communion to the homebound, among other duties. When Marilyn said she would pray for you, she meant it, and she kept a current written prayer list that she attended to every evening. She loved and was loved by many, many people. One of the songs she loved was “You Gotta Dance Till You Drop” by Robert Robinson, and she did.

Frank Edward Delak, 88, passed away on Monday, March 4, 2019. Frank was born on April 26, 1930 in Ely, MN to Frank and Mary (Leustek) Delak. He graduated from Ely High School in 1948 and was a heavy equipment operator and a member of the Operating Engineers Local 49.
Frank enjoyed working on projects in his garage and could fix anything. He was very hard working and shared his knowledge and skill of mechanics, carpentry, electrical and plumbing with his son and son-in-law. His generosity to his children and grandchildren knew no bounds.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruth (Tanttari) Delak, children: Mary (Rob) Mattson of Ely and Rich (Melissa) Delak of Ramsey; two grandchildren: Trevor and Erika Mattson and two grand dogs: Frankie Delak and Finley Mattson; one sister Dorothy Barclay, one nephew and four nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Klun.
Per Frank’s request, there will not be a funeral.

Donald E. Church, 87, of Ely, passed away surrounded by family and friends on March 1, after a lengthy illness. He was born in Biddeford Pool, Maine, on January 4, 1932. Don was a retired U.S. Navy veteran who proudly served aboard the USS Oglethorpe during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1985. Don was a member of the Ely Masonic Lodge, Shriners, American Legion and the VFW.
Don was pre-deceased by his parents, Enid and William, and his grandparents, William and Marguerite, and brother-in-law, Lynn. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Frances; children, Elaine (Wayne) and Edward (Margie); grandchildren Sara (Ben), Emily (Mike), Zachary (Gretchen) and Dylan; great-grandchildren Carter and Caylee; sisters Mary, Shirley, Roberta (Cliff) and Lucille (Bob); and several nieces and nephews.

Richard (Dick) Angelo Mobilia, 78, died on Thursday, February 28, 2019 surrounded by his family at Chestnut Grove Assisted Living in Virginia, MN after nine months trying to overcome a traumatic brain injury.
Richard was born on February 7, 1941 in Ely, MN to Angelo and Angela (Miklaucic) Mobilia.
He married Karon (Coey) on May 30, 1964. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1959, joining the Navy for four years, where he toured the Mediterranean on the USS Independence. Richard attended Eveleth Technical College obtaining a certificate in welding. He worked at Erie Mining/LTV Mining for 31 years before retiring in 1999. He served on the Ely City Council for four years. Richard enjoyed ice fishing, golf and spending time with his children and grandchildren.