Obituaries

Irene Johnson, 90, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Carefree Assisted Living in Aurora. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Barbara Lois (Nelson) Lassila, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at CareFree Living in Babbitt, MN. Per Barbara’s wishes there will be no funeral services held. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Barbara was born August 12, 1936 in Roseau, Mn, the daughter of Lloyd Harry and Marguerite Freda (Bell) Nelson.
Barbara attended school in Roseau, Ely and graduated from Embarrass High School in 1955.
She was a Hair Stylist for many years, sidelining Belly Dance classes, Bookkeeper and a Secretary for HUD. Her real passion was Antiquing. She owned and managed two stores, The Mountain High Antiques in Prescott Valley, AZ, and the Red Door Antiques in Junction City KS.
Barb was known as the Linen Lady in Kansas for her creativity and love of embroidery. She was a member of Daughters of the American Revolution and past member of the Red Hat Ladies.

Dorothy Gaither, 96, of Jacksonville, went home to her Savior on Thursday, December 10, 2020 while surrounded by loved ones. Born in Embarrass, Minnesota, she was swept away at 17 by a handsome young Arkansan, Roy Gaither of Newport, who was in Northern Minnesota with the CCC. He became her loving husband for 45 years until his passing. She would laugh when relating the culture shock when first arriving in Arkansas. They shared a military life together, frequently relocating with their five children.

Gregory J. Scheuermann, 64, of Duluth, passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Audrey Frances Storrs (Pechek), 82, Bemidji MN, died 12/3/2020 at her residence.

Adolph B. Austreng, 87, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Ann Franz, former longtime resident of Babbitt, MN, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2020 at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing, MN. Mary Ann was born on November 18, 1945 in Mobridge, SD to Carl Arthur and Frieda (Nies) Larson. As a child, the family moved to Emily, MN where Mary Ann eventually attended nursing school and also met her husband, Conrad. Mary Ann and Conrad made their residence in Babbitt, MN where she had many fond memories of friends and the community. Mary Ann was a nurse for 30 years at Ely Bloomenson Hospital. She had two children, Tom and Lisa and two grandchildren, Mason and Zeb. Mary Ann enjoyed watching and attending rodeos. She loved spending time with family and especially her grandsons. Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; Carl and Frieda, husband; Conrad, brother; John Larson and nephew; Jesse James Larson.

Donald Charles Fink, born on November 23, 1948, passed away peacefully in the company of his family on December 3. He was a beloved father, husband, and friend to so many. He is survived by his daughters, Kallie and Lacey Fink. Please keep him alive in your hearts.

Joyce Irene Saisa, 80, of Virginia passed away on Saturday, November 28th, 2020 from complications with pneumonia at Essentia Health - Virginia.
Joyce was born on July 29th, 1940 in Ely, Minnesota to Walter and Martha Jarvi. Joyce graduated from high school in 1958, attended junior college and then received her certificate for laboratory technician while attending school in Minneapolis. She married Gerald Saisa at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely on February 13th, 1960. They raised two sons, Jim and Steve.
Joyce had a deep passion for the outdoors and especially her family. She loved fishing, hiking, canoeing, foraging blueberries and creating beautiful flower gardens. She was a very warm, patient and kind-hearted person. She always made an extra effort to make family feel special and loved; she will be greatly missed.

Lillian Susan Ahlstrand, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at Edgewood Brainerd. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 1 pm at Heritage Assemblies of God in Baxter, MN and visitation will take place 1 hour prior. Interment will be at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
Lillian was born to Waino and Saina (Rosenlof) Aho on December 09, 1934 in Brantwood, WI. She married William Ahlstrand on February 17, 1951 in Ely, MN and together they had 3 children, Yvonne (David) Trugman, William Jr, and Maralee (Paul) Gazelka. They were married for 69 years and blessed with 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren. She was a member of Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. Lillian was also a registered nurse in Viriginia, MN for over 25 years. She loved sewing, crocheting, reading, baking, cooking, and canning.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel-Baxter. www.brenny.com