Obituaries

George J. Rykyto, 90, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Grandpa George served 21 years with the Minneapolis Fire Department and spent his whole life taking care of his family and friends. He lived his life as a devout Catholic, loving husband, amazing father, and the greatest Grandpa George to everyone he knew. His kindness, compassion, jokes, and smirks will truly be missed. His last wish was to grow old in Ely, and that he did.
He is survived by his daughter, Lori Zembal; son and daughter-in-law, Philip & Evelyn Rykyto; and grandchildren, Samantha (Kyler) Hauschildt, Phil (Paola) Rykyto, and Wade (Hailey) Rykyto.
Preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Bernice; wife, Nancy; son-in-law, George Zembal; and brothers, Hank and Phil.

Scott Michael Hanson 55 of Eveleth died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the University of Minnesota Cardiac Care Center surrounded by family.
He was born on 07/16/1963 in Minneapolis, MN; grew up in Embarrass, MN and graduated from JFK High School-Babbitt in 1983; the Bemidji Technical College-auto body program in 1985.
Scott married AnnMarie Maddern on September 29, 1990. They resided in West Eveleth where they raised their three children, Tanner, Brock and Baylee. He loved to sing while doing chores around the house, cooking, cleaning and keeping the family cars the shiniest in town.
He worked at Spee-Dee Delivery Service-Virginia, MN for the past 19 years where his smile and personality touched many of those he delivered to in the Embarrass, Babbitt, Ely and Tower-Soudan areas. He also worked the Ken Waschke Auto Plaza-Virginia; Shakoppe Ford and Gales Auto Body-Blaine, MN.

Carol A. Marshall, age 66, passed away Monday, July 23, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Carol was born July 16, 1952 in St. Cloud to Vernon P. and Lorraine (Sobieck) Van Hale. She graduated from Cathedral High School and from St. Cloud Vocational Technical College with a degree in Marketing/Advertising. Carol married Robert K. Marshall on May 26, 1978, by Johnny B. Pleasant in Texas. They lived in Iran before moving to California.
They moved to Ely in 1990 before she moved back to St. Cloud. She started working at age 11 cleaning houses, was a secretary for seven professors at St. Cloud State University, worked for Mark’s Realty, and held multiple other positions where she excelled, including the Minnesota Department of Revenue. She retired in 2016.

Anthony (Tony) Vertin Sr., Cherished husband, father and grandfather. Passed away on July 21, 2018 and born on June 13, 1935 in Ely, Minnesota. He is preceded in death by his parents, Matija and Angela; siblings, Vernie Clark and Sonny Vertin; and infant grandson, Anthony Joseph Vertin III. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and their eight children: Anthony (Lori), Mary (Mark Huepful), Angela, John, Jean (John) Murphy, Matthew (Mary), Vincent and David (Chrissy), along with 19 grandchildren: David (Alyssa) and Joseph Vertin; Robert, Bridget, Angela, Edward and Reginaldo Huepful; Vincent, Elizabeth, Charles and John Murphy; Anna and Matthew Vertin; Callahan, Louis, and Lachlan Vertin; Olivia, Natalie and Penelope Vertin, as well as great-grandchildren Adeline and Ava Vertin.

Charles Mistek, 82 years old, passed away on January 14, 2018 at Essentia-St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN.
Charles was born June 1, 1935 in Ely, MN to Edward and Eleanor Mistek. He graduated from Ely High School, attended Vermilion Junior College in Ely, and served two years in the United States Army. On June 25, 1959 he married Jacquelyn Pecore and together they raised their four children.
Charles received his Bachelor’s degree in Math and Social Sciences from St. Cloud State University and earned his Master’s degree in Secondary Administration from Mankato State University. He started his teaching career by teaching Social Studies at Sauk Centre High School and he spent 10 years at St. Paul Park High School teaching math and as a Vocational Coordinator.

Mary Joy Giblin Lenont, 66, of Eagles Nest, Ely, and Lake Vermilion, Tower, passed away Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.

Molly A. (Kastelac) Banovetz, 100, a lifetime resident of Ely, passed away quietly on Monday, July 16, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years George “Sam” Banovetz, her daughter Sheila Tekavec, her parents and nine of her brothers and sisters.
She is survived by her son Bob and Marie Banovetz, three grandchildren, six great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

A memorial service for Amelia "Molly" Hill of Ely, will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at the Ely United Methodist Church at 11:00 A.M. with a gathering of family and friends taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers the family prefers a donation to Northwoods Partners. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Elizabeth “Bette” Nelson, 86, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, took the Lord’s hand and passed away peacefully on the morning of July 1, 2018 at her home in Green Valley, AZ surrounded by the love of her five children to whom she was endlessly devoted.
Born October 18, 1931 in Oklee, Minnesota, she was the daughter of the late Samuel and Evelyn Gibeau. Bette graduated from Oklee High School in 1949, and married Vearl Nelson (also of Oklee) in 1952. The Nelson’s raised their children in Duluth and Ely, Minnesota and began spending time in Green Valley in 1985.
Bette is survived by her loving children Nancy (Len), Berger Cherie Rozier, Mark (Dann), Scott (Roblee), Lisa (Joe), Klonne 10 grandchildren, Kristen Musich, Kyle and Brett Rozier, Dan Nelson, Kaitlyn and Paige Nelson, Josh, Zach, Nick, and Lucas Klonne, sister Jane Dufault, her very dear friend, Margot Beland, and many other great friends.

Augusta “Meta” Murphy, 79, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 8, 2018. Meta was born April 9, 1939 in Hannibal, Wisconsin to Earl and Meta Cornwell. She was eleventh of 14 brothers and sisters. Meta married the love of her life, Wayne Murphy, May 21, 1955.
She truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures; spending time with her large family, visiting with friends and baking. She always wore a smile on her face. She was a loving and caring person, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was always thinking of others first. To know her was to love her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.