Obituaries

George Britton, 85, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at his residence with his family at his side.
George was born December 5, 1934 to George Arthur and Mable Adell (Cornish) Britton in Brainerd, MN.
He married Shirley Foy on June 16, 1956 in Brainerd.
George worked in logging, copper-nickel drilling, carpentry, owned his own construction company and owned Britton’s Cafe for 27 years.
George is survived by his wife Shirley of Ely; daughter Patricia (Jim) Carlson of Ely and son Dean Britton of Park Rapids, MN; three grandchildren, Crystal (Nate) Poppler, Derek (Dana) Banovetz, James (Abby) Britton; six great-grandchildren, Joshua Marsh, Amelia Pluth, Alison Poppler, Aubrielle Poppler, Reese Britton and Lilly Britton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters Esther Gunn, Doris Britton, Mable Britton and Sylvia Duke.

On Sunday, May 24, Herbert (Herb) J. Novosel, loving husband and father passed away at the age of 75 at his home in New Hope, MN with his family by his side. Herb was born on February 18, 1945 in Ely, MN to Steve and Adele (Kerntz). In 1962 he joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Knox Kentucky, Fort Greely Alaska, and Fort Lewis Washington during his time in the military. On August 9, 1969 he married Ardis Olson and they raised two sons, Patrick and Matthew. Last year Herb and Ardis celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the lake with many friends and relatives.
On his return to Ely from the military Herb went to work at Reserve Mining Company and ran his own excavating company for 16 years. When the mine closed, he moved his family to the metro area and worked at Retail Data Systems until his retirement. After retiring he was able to spend much of his time at the cabin on Fall Lake.

Marian Koschak, 87 formerly of Ely, passed away on Friday, May 29, 2020 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Virginia. Family arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Dr. Richard “Dick" Bevis of Ely died from a heart attack on May 22nd at age 80. Dick grew up in Minneapolis and enjoyed summers on Burntside Lake. Dick was a graduate of the University of MN Dental School, and practiced orthodontics in the Twin Cities for over 30 years. He remained active throughout his life enjoying boating, fishing, golf, and sailing on Lake Superior. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, and will be remembered for his steady character, optimism, and generosity. Dick was a man of quiet faith in God, and his family rejoices that he is now in his eternal home. Dick was preceded in death by his parents Percy and Allie Bevis, and sister Joan Nelson. Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary (Palmquist) Bevis; three children, Karen (Peter) Tamte, Randy (Cheryl) Bevis, and Ben (Sara) Bevis; and 9 grandchildren. Memorial service plans to follow.

Richard Bevis, 80, of Ely, passed away at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Michael Brewer, 60, of Ely, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020 at his home with his friend by his side. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Rodney Frederick Skube
Rodney “Hot Rod” Skube, 52, of Ely passed away on May 11, 2020 at Essential Health Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota.
He was born on March 4, 1968 to Albert and Margaret Skube of Ely, Minnesota. He was the fifth of seven children.
He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1986 and thereafter Vermilion Community College. Rodney worked at the Boundary Waters Care Center for many years and cared about the well-being of those he took care of.
He took pride in being able to speak Finn and Slovenian to the residents. He also enjoyed his time umping fast pitch softball and baseball for the MSHSL for several years.
He is loved by his family and friends and will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his father Albert Skube in 2005.

Eugene F. Schlick,75, passed away on Friday. May 8, 2020at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. F. Schlick,75, passed away on Friday. May 8, 2020at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

JAMES ANTHONY KOTCHEVAR Age 88 of Minneapolis, passed away May 4, 2020 at Bethesda Hospital, St. Paul. Survived by loving wife of 57 years Ethel; son Jim (Carmela) Kotchevar; three daughters Anne (Alessandro) Faldi, Mary Kotchevar & Toni (Tony) Tallman; three granddaughters Gabriela, Susana and Veronica Kotchevar; grandson George Tallman; three sisters Elinor Zgonc, Terese (Carroll) Claeys and Mary Jean Nilsen. Preceded in death by parents Mayme and Anton Kotchevar.
Jim was born on April 21, 1932 in Ely, MN to parents Anton F. and Mayme Lobe Kotchevar. He attended Ely High School where he excelled in football, basketball and track. He was a graduate of Ely High School, Class of 1950. He was a proud Slovenian and Iron Ranger. He enjoyed time with family at his cabin, listening to polkas, picking blueberries, making sauerkraut and exercising with silver sneakers.

In Loving Memory
Jon Max Rice
October 22, 1982 – April 27, 2020