Obituaries

Mary Ann Ohms Lax, 1931-2018, formerly of Isabella MN, passed away on August 30, 2018 surrounded by family at her home in Maple Grove, MN.
Mary is survived by her eight children and their spouses: Lisa Lax (Burlington, VT); Jon Lax and wife Carrie Odgers (Oakland, NJ); Juli and husband Marcel Meilleur (St. Croix, USVI); Susan Lax (Springfield, VT); Jane Lax (Albany, NY); Stacey Lax (Burlington, VT); Jeffrey Lax and wife Marianne (Franconia, NH); and George McNulty, Jr. and wife Tracy (Robbinsdale, MN). Mary is also survived by five grandchildren: Aaron and Jeanna Lax; Mira and Isaac Steinzor; Nathan Lax; and Kellen and Pierce McNulty. She was predeceased by her husband Hilmar Lax (1964), her parents, and four brothers: John, Albert, Robert, and Edward Ohms.

Desiree (Smuk) Grigsby, 61, passed away peacefully on Sept. 1, 2018 in New Hope, Minnesota after a year-long fight with cancer. Desiree was born in Ely, MN on March 28, 1957 to William Stanley and Gloria (Bianchi) Smuk.
Desiree was baptized and confirmed in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Wherever Desiree moved she sought out her Catholic faith.
Desiree graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1975 and went on to receive her degree in business. She worked at Salerno Land Sales for many years, and as a closing specialist at Arrowhead Abstract and Northeast Title. She spent many years as an office manager, then as an Executive Legal Secretary at Defenbaugh Law Office in Ely.
She enjoyed reading, biking, walking and being outdoors. Recently she learned how to kayak from her good friend JoAnn Moats Bilben and loved it. Desiree enjoyed live Blues music and would attend many performances with her friend Iris Hodges and met many great performers.

Elinor Marie Johnson, 90, of Grand Rapids, MN, died peacefully on Wednesday August 29, 2018 at Grand Itasca Hospital.
Elinor was born in 1927 in Ely, MN to John “Jack” and Mary Poshak. She grew up in Ely and attended the Ely schools. She met and married Willis A. Johnson in Seattle, Wa on November 21, 1947, moved to Chicago for several years and eventually returned to Ely to settle down with her family.
Elinor was the Office Manager for Dr. Edward Ciriacy’s Clinic and Clinic Manager for the Ely Medical Center. She retired as Clinic Manager for the Duluth Clinic in Ely, Tower, and Babbitt.
She was active in Girl Scouts, First Presbyterian Church of Ely, Job’s Daughters, and was a past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star.

Verna Mae (McLaughlin) Peterson, 93, died Thursday August 30 at her home in Carefree Living. She was born in Ely to Paul and Hilma (Perttula) McLaughlin on March 3, 1925. She attended Ely schools and on September 19, 1944 she married the love of her life William Daniel Peterson. Together they raised their six children at their home in Winton. Verna was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, parents, brothers: Thomas, Leonard, Wilfred, Robert, sisters: Mildred Salminen and Myrtle Kangas, and great-grandson Noah.

Robert Oscar Mattila, 87, of Ely, passed away at home on August 28, 2018. He was born in Ely on Feb. 20, 1931.
He was married to Joyce (Moats) Mattila for 64 years.
Bob enjoyed spending time at the family cabin on Burntside Lake and was a former member of the Burntside Power Association. He worked at Reserve Mining in Babbitt. Bob and Joyce were active members of the Ely United Methodist Church for many years.
He is survived by his wife Joyce; children DeAnn (Wesley) Birdsong, Michelle (Mark) Posch, Bryan (Michele) Mattila and Darren (Christine) Mattila; sister Judy Strezishar of Aurora, CO; brother in law Arthur Moats of Ely; eleven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Sylvia (Hill) and George Mattila; brothers: George, Chuck, Hank, Donny and David; and grandson Aaron Birdsong.

Joan (Buccowich) Donahue, 82, passed away peacefully at Casa Adobes Memory Care, Tucson, AZ on Friday, August 23, 2018. Joanie was born to John and Joan Buccowich on July 16, 1936.
After graduation from Ely Memorial High School in 1954, she attended and graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Medical Technology. She had retired from a career with the State of Wisconsin.
She is survived by her sister Kathy (George) Nieman of Ely. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Donahue, her parents and many loving aunts and uncles. Memorial services will be held in Pewaukee, WI.

Jack Jensen, 80, of LaMoure, ND, formerly of Ely and Tower, MN, passed away August 15, 2018 at St. Rose Care Center, LaMoure.
Jack Martin, son of Chet and Martina (Panian) Jensen was born and raised in lake country in northern Minnesota. It was there he learned his love of the outdoors. Hunting was a passion he especially enjoyed with his friend Roger Raduenz. Jack’s love of fishing led to guiding fishermen for Bowser’s Resort at Crane Lake. This also led to guiding friends on canoe trips in the Quetico canoe area in Canada. Jack and Linda enjoyed doing this together for several years. They were also famous for the fish fry’s they hosted at their cabin for family and their Sandpoint friends. Jack discovered another passion when he began his career as a 6th grade teacher in Ely, MN. He also taught drivers ed and coached the Ely Wolves in three winning seasons.

Kent Charles VandenBranden, 61, of Ely, passed away Tuesday, August 14th, at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN after a brutal 18 month battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Linda (Enquist) and his little guy Frankels, brothers Keith (Anita), Kurt (Kate), Kraig (Dena), and sister Kay Cesarek (David), brother and sister in law Ed and Lynne Enquist, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Elaine, brothers Karl and Kris, and his in laws, George and Helen. A celebration of life will be held at the Enquist family cabin on Burntside on September 2. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester are preferred.

Kenneth M. Evenstad, 78, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018 at his residence. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held at the church one hour prior to the service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Marydel I. Marolt, 90 of Babbitt, died Friday, August 10, 2018. She passed away peacefully, with family by her side. She was a lifelong resident of the Iron Range.
Marydel was born to Clifford and Mary Warren on July 24, 1928 in Duluth, MN where she lived until she married her husband Albert in 1947. Marydel then moved to Babbitt in 1956 where she raised her family. Marydel was a homemaker and active member of the community. She was a member of the Babbitt Lions Club and she also served in the local Habitat for Humanity efforts. Marydel enjoyed the outdoors, her flower gardens, her family and her many close friends.