Obituaries

Mary Alice Perushek, 91, of Ely, passed peacefully on October 25, 2019 after a short stay at the Boundary Waters Care Facility. She was born on December 4, 1927 to Stephen and Mary Orlovski in Denver, CO. Embodying MN values, Mary Alice was kind, independent, modest and, with her gentle humor, was loved by all family and her many friends in Ely.

She married Michael (Mike) Grosell in 1957 (Denver, CO) and together they built up an automotive parts business that was eventually sold to General Motors. Retiring to warmer Phoenix, AZ in1980, Mary Alice was an accomplished accordion player, with a love of Polka music; quilter and crafter; happy to share her skills providing classes in the community. She was also a voracious reader. Following Mike’s death in 1992, Mary Alice had a brief happy marriage to Robert Porthan in 1995 who resided in both Phoenix and Ely; he passed away the year after.

Roger James Salo, 65, of Babbitt passed away Wednesday, October 23, 2019. A Memorial service will
be held Friday, November 1, 2019 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia at 2:00 pm with visitation
beginning one hour prior to the service. Pastor Roth will officiate. Following the service a Celebration of Life will be from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Hide-A-Way in Babbitt, MN. Burial will be at the Argo Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or send condolences visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.

Roger was born April 26, 1954 in Winton, MN to Roger and Barbara (Nelson) Salo. He attended JFK
High School where he played football and hockey, graduating in 1972. He served in the Navy from
1972 to 1974. He attended Dunwoody College, graduating in 1976.

Caroline C. Vimont, age 70, of White Bear Lake, formerly of Minneapolis and Ely, passed away on October 9, 2019. Survived by mother, Maxine Popovich; sister, Judith; nephews and nieces. Per her wishes, there will be no service, but in her memory, the family suggests you surprise someone with a random act of kindness.

Melvin Matthew Luhta, 88, peacefully passed away on Oct. 20 at Babbitt Carefree Living.
He is survived by his brother Wilbert (Joan) Luhta , niece June (Wesley) Boyle, grandniece Tammy ( Mark) Phillips, and grandnephew John (Sara) Boyle.
He was proceeded in death by his father and mother, Charles and Helija (Harju) Luhta, sister Lempi Anderson, and brother Carlo who served in Korea and posthumisly awarded the purple heart.
Melvin was born and raised in Waasa township working on his father’s farm, worked in the woods and in the mines, served his country in the army, being wounded in Korea.. He was awarded the National Defense Service medal, United Nations service medal, Combat Infantryman1s Badge (SO 285 224th INF 20 Nov 52), Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars.

Marvin Lamppa, 86 of Duluth, formerly of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 in the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. He was born February 14, 1933 in Embarrass to William and Helen (Sipola) Lamppa. He married Carolyn Card on April 9, 1981 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Marvin received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth, graduate degree from the University of Minnesota and taught history in Iron Range schools and community colleges for many years. He also developed and taught a course in the history of Minnesota’s mining districts for Bemidji State University before becoming director of the Iron Range Interpretative Program in 1977. During his time as director, he served as a member of the State Historical Records Advisory Board and was instrumental in bringing about the Iron Range History Center, a state of the art archives and research facility in Chisholm, Minnesota, known as Minnesota Discovery Center today.

Curtis A. Harris, age 77, of Virginia and formerly of Babbitt and Ely, died Saturday, October 12, 2019, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. He was born November 20, 1941, in Bemidji, MN the son of Woodrow and Evelyn (Lease) Harris. He was a graduate of Ely High School. Curtis was united in marriage to Janice Couillard on October 8, 1960, in Ely.

Curtis worked at the Ely Bloomenson Hospital and prior to that at Reserve Mining. He loved playing his guitar and singing, playing computer chess and mahjong.

Curtis is survived by his wife: Janice; son: Eugene Harris of Hibbing; daughter: Vicki Harris of Aurora, MN; sister: Sandy (John) Hodgkins; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Woodrow Harris, Jr.; daughter: Julie Harris Hildreth; and grandson: James P. Bliss.

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A private family service was held.

Marie Hemquist, 93, of Ely, MN died Friday, Oct. 11, in her home.
Visitation: 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. Memorial Service, Saturday, Nov. 2nd, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, in Duluth.

BERTHA ARLENE MERCELLA BOTTJEN 88, Ely, passed away in the presence of her loving husband Duane.
Bertha was born on the 17th of July, 1931, in Newcastle, Nebraska, to Adolph Gunderson and Marie nee Swenson. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City, Iowa in 1949, and was employed as a comptometer operator in the office of Younker-Davidson retail store in Sioux City. She married Duane Arnold Bottjen on July 10, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa and accompanied him through college and seminary as he prepared for the ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was greatly loved and appreciated as his helpmate in the parishes he served.

DARLENE “Dar” MARIE BACH, 70, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 12, 2019 in Duluth surrounded by family.
She was born on September 28, 1949 in Virginia, MN to Frank and Angela Pucel and later married and had two children. She remarried Floyd Bach on May 5, 1990 in Ely and they enjoyed the little things in life such as bowling, playing cards, dancing and trips to the casino where she tried her luck.
Darlene was a hard worker and held many jobs in her life, but she was most proud of her 20+ year career as the Housekeeping Supervisor at Grand Ely Lodge, which she retired from in 2016.

Ronald Lee Ferdig went to the Lord peacefully at home with his family by his side, October 11th, 2019 after a 5-year battle with cancer. Ron was born January 3rd, 1949 in Bemidji MN to Leo & Blanche Ferdig. He graduated from Tower MN in 1968 and went on to work for Reserve Mining, LTV Steel, and retiring from Inland Steel.
He loved Ice-fishing, Wood-working, driving his Monte Carlo ‘SS’, cracking jokes, and listening to old country music. Ron is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Deborah, his son Chad (Sherry) Ferdig, his daughter Kristina (Brian) Baumann, Grandchildren, Tyler, Derek, Trevor, Bryce, Great-Grandchild, Nathan Ronald, Sister, Mary Lou (Ron) Waldo, Twin brother Donald (Dorothy) Ferdig, Brother Steve (Kim) Ferdig, Sister-in-law Caroline Ferdig and numerous nieces & nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Shadow, who was always by his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, & his brother Dale.