Obituaries

Barbara Joan (B.J.) Hartfield Stoltz (formerly Barbara Avikainen of Ely), age 84, of Apache Junction and Showlow, AZ, passed away peacefully at home on March 13th, 2021 after a brief 5-month struggle with cancer.
Barbara was born in Hammond, IN and graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in Lansing, IL. She was a member of First Lutheran Church in Ely for 20 years. She worked as a photojournalist for the Ely Echo, the Mesabi Daily News, and the Oregon Herald newspapers, and The Lutheran Witness, and spent 20 years with her husband Jim traveling the country in a 5th wheel motorhome serving as part of the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP). She was known for praying for everyone she knew, and seeing astounding results from those prayers.

Kathleen M (Kathie) Hanson passed away on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Chestnut Grove in Virginia, MN.
She was born on May 12, 1942 in Fergus Falls, MN to Effard “Bud” Kromer and Agnes (Papesh) Kromer and grew up in Ely, MN graduating from Ely Memorial Sr High in 1960.
She attended UMD and graduated from Bemidji State College participating in many plays and musicals, and was a drum major for the Ely Dillonaires and the UMD ROTC Drum Corp. She was a baton twirling instructor for many years, and an avid bowler. Kathie was employed by the Department of Indian Affairs, the Pioneer Press and owned the K & D Cafe in Bemidji and was a member of the VFW and Legion Auxiliaries and the Loyal Order of the Moose.
She moved back to Ely and worked for Irresistible Ink and Hardee’s and was a member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church and past president of the Catholic Council.

Marjorie Katherine Ojala passed away March 12, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely Minnesota.
She was born February 19, 1928 in Ely to parents Paul & Katherine (Kosnitch) Preblich.
Marge retired from the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency. She enjoyed spending time in her garden, with family, friends and especially her grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Marge married Marvin Nelson in 1955, and Roy Ojala in 1979.
She is survived by sisters Florie (Donald) Maroney and Rosie (Gale) Maroney, grandson Garry Nelson and granddaughter Cherish Jarvi, great-granddaughters Haven & Braelynn Chavers, and many nieces and nephews.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, husbands, and children Gary & Dale Nelson, brother Paul Preblich, sisters, Mildred (Alfred) Mock, Katherine (Roy) Carlson, Lorraine (Laverne) Phelps, Mary Jane Larkin & Helen Preblich.

JAMES T. HART, 91, Ely
The world lost a great man - our dad, grandpa and great grandpa, Jim Hart. He lived life to the fullest, most notably canoeing, kayaking and biking into his 80’s and skiing into his 90’s. With help from family, friends, and neighbors, he lived on his own until his final days at his cabin under the towering pines in Eagles Nest Township. Jim loved his place in the Piney Woods, and especially his large family of ten children, 24 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. We all loved him too, and will miss him. He passed away in Ely, Minnesota on Monday, March 15, 2021 at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital.

Marjorie K. Ojala, 93, of Ely, passed away Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral arrangements by Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Earl A Johnson left us on March 10, 2021. He was born and raised in Virginia and left for Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota, majoring in Architecture.After retirement he left the Twin Cities Area and built a beautiful retirement home on one of Ely’s gorgeous lakes. He was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, his son Steven and parents Earl and Margaret Johnson. He is survived by his sons Scott(Jennifer) and Todd( Rhonda), grandchildren Nikki, Josh, Brady, Drew and great grandson Weston. Also survived by his siblings Jay Johnson, Brian Johnson, Cheryl Johnson, Marilyn Plunkett and several dear friends.
An artist, poet, teller of tales and maybe a raucous joke or two. He will be missed by those who loved him.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Robert “Scott” Seigfreid passed away on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Scott was born to Leora (Waller) and Gene Seigfreid on June 30, 1957 in Mankato, MN.
Scott’s passion for wildlife developed early in life when he went trapping and hunting with neighborhood friends.
After graduating from Mankato West High School, Scott furthered his education by attending SCC (North Mankato, MN) and then onto VCC (Ely, MN).
Scott was a VCC student and had a taxidermy business in Ely for a few years. He has many friends in Ely. He was very active in several habitat organizations like the Prairie Enthusiasts. He was also a strong proponent of the Sax-Zim bog Wildlife Management Area.

Darrell Kaye Dowden, 88, of Fairchild, Wisconsin passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side March 7, 2021.
Darrell was born on September 16,1932 in Mondovi, Wisconsin to Fred and Della Dowden.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, June of Fairchild, Wisconsin, his three daughters: Julie (Tim) Johnson of Northfield, MN, Helene (Dave) Johnson of Ely, MN, Barb (John)Mann of Hugo, MN, and son Dean (Tammie) Dowden of Tower, MN. Five grandchildren: Luke Johnson of Blaine, MN, Ryan Mann of White Bear Lake, MN, Alyssa Soukup of Stillwater, MN, April Toro of Bradenton, Florida and Darrell Dowden of Superior, WI and five great-grandchildren.
Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, his Brothers Lee Dowden and Russ Dowden, and his sisters June Myers and Betty King.
Darrell graduated from Mondovi High School in 1950.
He served in the Navy during the Korean War.

On Monday, March 8, 2021, Seth Michael Paul Nelson, loving father of two, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend of many, passed away at age 43. Seth was born in St Petersburg, Florida to Steven Paul Nelson and Sharon Kay Nelson (Sadle). He grew up in Hanover, Minnesota and graduated from Buffalo High School before continuing to graduate from Vermillion College in Ely Minnesota where he continued to work and raise his family. Seth worked for the United States Forest Service starting in 2002 as an Engine Boss and Incident Commander with wildland fire, and in recent years Timber Sales Administrator. Seth built two homes just outside of Ely and has been blessed with two beautiful daughters, Carmen (14), and June (11).

John R. Harrington, 49, of Ely, passed away on Monday, March 8, 2021 at his residence. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.