Obituaries

Miriam V. Pucel, 95, of Ely, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020, at Boundary Waters Care Center, Ely, Minnesota. Her last days were spent surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 2, 1924, in Soudan, Minnesota, to Anna (Westerinen) and John Heikkinen.

Miriam attended schools in Soudan and Tower, Minnesota, graduating in 1942. During World War II, she left home to work at the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois. She married Joe M. Pucel on May 10, 1947, at her parents’ home in Soudan.

Miriam loved travel of all kinds and camped with family and friends across the United States. She went on her first canoe trip at age 67! She made some special trips to France, Germany, Hawaii, and even Disney World. In her later years, she walked marathons of miles on the Miners’ Lake Trail, many with the family’s lab dogs (Doodie was special).

Patricia G. Boitz, 93, of Ely passed away Friday, April 17, 2020 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.
Patricia was born on March 17, 1927 in Ely to John & Louise (Dormish) Petrich. She was a lifelong Ely Resident. She graduated from Ely High School and worked as a clerk for J.C. Penny. She married Frederick Boitz. She loved sewing, ceramics, and gardening. She also enjoyed making Slovenian meals and wine; she went hunting and trapping and her time at the lake. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church of Ely, the American Fraternal Union of Ely, and the Slovenians Women.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Frederick on August 19, 2007; six brothers: John, Joe, Louie, Mathew, Bernard, and Frank Petrich; four sisters: Justina Petrich, Heddy Storm, Elizabeth Shauer, and Louise Goldowski; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys Frances Born

Gladys Frances (Perko) Born, age 86, passed away at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, MN on Thursday, April 23, 2020.

Gladys was born May 30, 1933 in Ely, MN, daughter of Frances and John Perko. Gladys spent her childhood in Ely, moving to Rochester, MN to pursue nursing school. She graduated from St. Marys School of Nursing with a concentration in psychiatry in 1954.

She married her best friend, Robert Born on August 20, 1955 in Ely, MN. After relocating for two years to Pasadena, CA and moving back to Rochester, she practiced private duty through St. Marys while raising her young family. For 25 years, Gladys worked as a Nurse Manager, often praised as a mentor to many, during her career on the closed psychiatric unit of St. Marys.

Curtis L. Oelrich, age 66, of Smelterville, ID, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020, at
North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in Post Falls, Idaho.

Curtis was born April 17, 1953 to Leigh and Marjorie(Finckbone) Oelrich in Virginia, MN.
He grew up in Ely and graduated from Ely Memorial High School. Curt was a longtime
resident of the Silver Valley and worked for Honeywell in Spokane, WA. He enjoyed the
outdoors and reading.

Curtis is survived by three sisters, Sharon (Steve) Bateman of Spirit Lake, Idaho, Doreen
Flynn of Ely, Minnesota, Tammy (John) Schubert of Missoula, Montana and several nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

There are no scheduled services at this time. Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.

Beloved brother and friend, Curtis Lynn Oelrich, 66, passed away on April 13, 2020 in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. He was born on April 17, 1953; the son of Leigh and Marjorie (Finckbone) Oelrich.
Private services will be held at a later date. Bell Tower Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with services.

Stanley Peter Cherne, 90, of Ely, died April 14, 2020, at Ely Bloomenson Hospital following a stroke.
Born in Ely on June 10, 1929, he was the 10th of 11 children of Michael and Frances Cherne. Stan attended Ely schools and worked at logging camps and Basswood Lodge before being drafted into the US Army. A veteran of the Korean War, he served in the 3rd Infantry Division 15th Infantry Regiment.
In 1955 he married the love of his life Elizabeth (Betty) Cherne and they raised two children. Stan worked at Reserve Mining in Babbitt for 32 years retiring in 1986.
Stan and Betty built their house in Ely. With their sons they built their beloved cabin on the North Arm of Burntside Lake. He was an avid woodworker making cabinets and furniture for his family. He had a love of travel, seeing 48 of 50 states and all the Canadian provinces with Betty, until her passing in 1997.

Darryl Davey, 70, of Babbitt, passed away April 7th quietly at home with his children by his side.
Darryl was a graduate of Babbitt High school. Shortly after, Darryl enlisted into the U.S. navy during the Vietnam War. He started working at Reserve Mining in Babbitt until its closure and went to work for LTV in Aurora until its closure. After Darryl retired, he enjoyed restoring classic cars, drag racing, car shows, fishing and spent countless hours tinkering around in the garage.
He was a member of the Babbitt VFW, NRA, NHRA and the Babbitt Conservation Club. Darryl was a devoted son to his his mother, who passed away just 6 months prior, and a devoted father and grandfather. Darryl always gave more than he ever took. He could always be found fixing something for somebody or lending a hand to anyone in need.

Ralph Leon Karlinski
1936 - 2020

Age 83 of Centerville passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on April 7th, 2020. Ralph, formerly a resident of Ely/Virginia, was a United States Marine Corps veteran and retired co-owner of Bass Gambling Supplies. He was a successful business man, who was loved by many.

Ralph is survived by his loving wife Donna Mae Karlinski of 39 years; five children, Marlene (Rick) Smith, David (Stephanie) Karlinski, Dr. Karen Karlinski, Donald (Barbara) Pasanen and Theresa Nelson; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Thelma Karlinski, and brother, Donald E (Gladys) Bonner.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Kevin J. Kutsi, 56, of Ely and formerly of Hoyt Lakes passed away April 8th 2020 at St Mary’s hospital in Duluth. He was diagnosed with a thyroid cancer a month ago and passed away from complications.

Kevin was born May 11, 1963 in Duluth to Wesley and Connie (Germ) Kutsi. He graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes high school in 1981 and following school, he received an AA degree from Range Technical College. Shortly after graduation, Kevin met life challenges which kept him from pursuing a job using his intelligence.

Kevin enjoyed his Finnish – Bohunk heritage. He was proud that he acquired a HAM radio operator license. He also enjoyed the quest of ripping apart electronics and repairing them. In addition, Kevin had a love for classic cars – especially the “Cougar” line and had a passion to restore one. He loved listening to music his entire life. He acquired a great collection of lp’s, cassettes and cd’s.

Derek Nathan Klingfus, age 35, crossed over from medical complications on Monday, March 30th, 2020 at St Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, MN.
He was born on June 7, 1984 at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin, MN the son of Deaune (Dehler) and David Klingfus Jr.