Breaking News

by Tom Coombe
Will Ely area residents support a property tax increase to pay for a major improvement project on the school campus?
That’s a question that could be answered, at least partially, later this fall.
As soon as next month, a survey commissioned by the district - and assembled by a firm that specializes in school-related issues - will arrive in mailboxes throughout the district.
School board members will get their first look at the survey later this month, and tentative plans call for it to be sent to residents in September with an Oct. 7 deadline for return.
Outgoing superintendent Kevin Abrahamson went over the timeline with school board members Monday, during a brief regular monthly meeting.

Arthur G. Moats, 87, passed away August 15, 2019 at his residence. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

Dolores Rom, 89, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2019 in Virginia. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ely at 11:30 A.M. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Helen Eleanor Lakner of Ely, MN passed away peacefully with her family by her side on 8/14/2019 at Boundary Water Care Center. She was born on 4/19/1921 in Section 30, Mn. Her parents were John and Hannah Carlson (Ullakko). She was the second to the youngest of 16 children and grew up in Section 30. She had wonderful memories of fishing in the small stream across the road from their home. She attended school in Section 30, Ely, and graduated from Orting, WA High School.
In 1939 she married Albert Lakner and made a home in Winton, MN where they raised their four sons. The family enjoyed fishing, camping, and berry picking. She held many jobs including being a meter reader for the village of Winton, working at both the Winton and Ely Co-ops, and especially loved her job as a nursing assistant at the Ely nursing home.

Patrick J. Murphy, 57, of Babbitt, passed away Friday, August 9, 2019 at his residence. A funeral service will be held Friday, August 16, 2019 at Range Funeral Home at 1:00 pm with visitation one-hour prior. Deacon Dan Schultz will officiate. Burial will take place at Argo Cemetery. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.
Patrick John Murphy was born February 4, 1962 in Ely to Earl and Nina (Sveine) Murphy. He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Babbitt in 1980. Following high school, Patrick attended Vermilion Community College, attaining his AA degree. While enrolled at Vermilion, he played hockey and later coached for a few years. Patrick worked for the US Forest Service and Reserve Mining, retiring from North Shore mining after 25 years.

Lawrence (“Larry’’) Joseph Dusich, 91, formerly of Ely, Minnesota, passed away on May 5, 2019 at St. Mary Mercy Livonia Hospital in Livonia, Michigan.
He was born on January 18, 1928 in Ely, Minnesota to Marko and Anna (Salinger) Dusich. Larry grew up in Ely with a brother George and sister Mary, and step-siblings Fred, Marnie and Rosemary Rudman. He attended the Ely Schools and enjoyed ski jumping, which he became proficient at.
During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Navy completing boot camp at the Military Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois. Serving as Seaman 2nd class, vessels he served on were the USS KIDD (which was attacked by Japanese kamikazi killing 38 seamen), USS BOYD, USS EDMONDS and USS RICHARDS. He was honorably discharged on July 27, 1946.

Rova, Robert Alan
Age 61, of Plymouth, MN. passed away at home on August 7, 2019. Bob was born in Hibbing, on June 20, 1958 to parents William Rova and Bunny Ekonen Rova, originally of Ely, but lived most of his life in Plymouth. Bob was preceded in death by father Bill. Survived by son Rex Rova McComber, mother Bunny and brothers Bill Jr. (Rebecca), David (Mary), Mike and Mark (Karen); nephews and nieces Nick, Daniel, Kelli, Kaisa, Brynn, Emily, Spencer, Collin, Lauren, Joey and Elyse. When Bob made friends they were friends forever. He will be missed. A Memorial service will be held 1 pm on Tuesday August 20 at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37TH Ave N. @ Vicksburg Lane. Visitation one hour before service. If you are smoking a cigarette while you are reading this, please put it out!

You meet a whole set of new people when you are immobilized. It’s interesting to find how much every one shares in the way of human experience.
One thing many of us have in common is the alienation of family members. Whose judgement is that which creates it? We must all be guilty in some way.
Do each of us become so self absorbed in our own life, our own world that our priorities become skewed?
When children of any age divorce their families, does it make sense? Not if you’re a person(s) being isolated.
But that isolation is not rare. In the process of becoming an adult, establishing one’s values and beliefs is usually a process of evolution, of learning and observing, and making conclusions based on those.

39TH BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
Whiteside Park – Ely MN – July 26, 27, 28 – 2019

Editor:
Attention: All veterans
Great news:
President Trump signed into law the LEGION Act (Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service). The new Law changes The American Legion’s eligibility dates to now be open to all those who served during WWI and all veterans since Dec 7th 1941 with at least one day of honorable federal service.
Minnesota’s own Past National Commander Dan Ludwig, from Red Wing Post 54, was witness to and was a leading influence in getting this historic piece of bipartisan legislation passed. We welcome with open arms ALL of our fellow Veterans along with their families to be a part of The American Legion family!