Obituaries

The Rev. Roger Edward Carlson a resident of Cottagewood Homes, Rochester, MN entered into his heavenly home on December 26, 2018 after a multi-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Roger was born on September 3, 1928 in Jamestown, NY to Gustav and Ella (Carlson) Carlson. He is predeceased by his parents and sisters Rita Johnson and Edna Strobeck. He was educated in the public schools of Jamestown, NY and at Augustana College and Seminary, Rock Island, IL.
Roger was married June 4, 1955 to Lois (Sjovall) who survives. They were blessed with four children: Camille Martin, Gilbert, AZ, Craig, Vadnais Heights, Brian, Rochester and Curtis, Shoreview, MN; 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Roger is also survived by nieces and nephews in Minnesota, New York and Ohio.

Paul Leonard Lassila passed away peacefully on December 21, 2018 at the age of 86 after a long battle with COPD while wintering in Desert Hot Springs, California.
Paul was born in Embarrass, Minnesota to Paul and Hilja Lassila and was the youngest of six children. When he was young the family moved to Ely and he graduated in 1950 from Ely High School. In 1952 he was invited to join the U.S. Army and proudly served his country as a member of the Elite 10th Special Forces Group, (Airborne) through 1954. After fulfilling his military service he attended Trinidad State College and earned his associate degree in gunsmithing. He returned to Ely and operated his gunsmithing business while employed as a diesel mechanic at Reserve Mining Company. In Paul’s younger years he guided many canoe trips. He was an avid outdoorsman as camping, hunting and fishing were his passion.

Steven Anthony Tekautz, 42, of Owatonna, formerly of Hastings and Silver Bay, passed away suddenly on January 7, 2019.
He was born Sept. 28, 1976 to Anthony and Gail (Ebert) Tekautz.
Steve is dearly missed, by his wife, Kelly of Owatonna; children, Cayce and Alex of Owatonna; parents Anthony and Gail, Chisholm, MN; Sisters, Tara Tyo of Brimson, MN, Tracey (John) Fenske of Ely, MN; nieces and nephews, Travis, Jenny, Dylan, Ryan and countless friends.
Some of Steve’s ashes will be spread at the places he loved best, the cabin at White Iron Lake and the hunting shack. Burial will be in the family plot in the Ely Cemetery. A celebration of Steve’s life will take place at the cabin early this upcoming summer, when the fish are biting. For more information or to leave an online condolence message go to www.brick-megerfuneralhome.com

Joretta Pollock, 87, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Charles John Merhar, aka Charlie or Cherla, born January 18, 1938, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2019 with family at his side, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 80. The “voice” of Ace Hardware could always be heard greeting his customers with “How can I help you?”
He graduated from Ely High School in 1956 where he was an accomplished athlete in both baseball and football. He worked with his father at Ace Hardware and apprenticed to become a licensed plumber and well installer. His civic life included serving on the Ely Volunteer Fire Department for over 20 years, the Ely Jaycees and was a supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He married his High School sweetheart, Judy Mahoney in 1961 and built their home on White Iron Lake in 1962 where they remained for over 40 years. Judy and Cherla took over successful management of Merhar Ace Hardware in 1992 until when management passed to Mark and Chris Merhar being the 4th generation to own the business.

Doris Marian (Saari) Slogar, 89, passed away December 9, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Doris was born in Ely, Minnesota to Levi J. and Hulda E. Saari on December 21, 1928. She spent her childhood, teen years and a portion of her adult years in Ely. She graduated from Ely High School. After a short career with the Federal Government as a stenographer with the Treasury Department, she fell in love with Lawrence A. “Larry” Slogar and they married on May 29, 1948. Doris became a homemaker, and together they raised their three daughters, first in Ely when the girls were young, and then in Florida when the family moved there in 1960. Doris was very involved with Larry in the family’s home-building business, Lakewood Park, in Daytona Beach, Florida. She enjoyed baking, going to the beach, movies, reading, board games and spending time with her family. Doris is predeceased by her husband, Larry; her parents, Levi J. and Hulda E.

Marian Chindvall, 100, of Pine River, MN passed away on Dec. 22, 2018 in Brainerd, MN. She is survived by her five children, including Anne Chindvall or Ely. Services will be held at noon, Sat., Dec 29 in Pine River’s First Lutheran Church.

Gary Stellmach, 60, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018 at his residence. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at St. Joseph Church in Morrill, MN at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Marvin Le Roy Bunney, 85, of Ely, formerly of Stacy, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, MN, surrounded by his family.
Marv was born on Feb. 20, 1933 in Michigan, ND to Morris and Alpha (Dahl) Bunney. He married Dona (Storlie) on July 21, 1956. He and Dona enjoyed raising their three sons and watching their four grandchildren grow up. Marv’s family was his pride and joy.
He retired from the 3M company after 30 plus years of doing a job he thoroughly enjoyed. He and Dona enjoyed many years of traveling the country and visiting their many friends and family.
He is survived by the love of his life, Dona of 62 years; children: Scott (Robin) of Ely, Morris of Springfield, MO, Tim (Sharon) of Hartselle, AL. Grandchildren: Paul of Sitka, AK, Hannah of Richfield, MN, Hailey of Hartselle, AL and Thomas of Hartselle, AL.

Clifford Hoheisel, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at his residence. A funeral mass will be held o Saturday, December 22, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.