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Dustin Lee Boettcher “D~bo” was born on October 29, 1980 to Carla Jean Boettcher in Hutchinson, MN. Dustin passed away on April 21, 2019 in Scottsdale, AZ.
Dustin went to school in Hutchinson. He participated in various sports in high school.
In 2007 Dustin moved to Ely to attend Vermilion Community College and study taxidermy. While living in Ely he met the love of his life Michelle Kosnitch.
He had a passion for hunting, fishing and spending time at the cabin with Michelle, family and friends.
The past six years Dustin wintered in Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ employed by Stellar Adventures doing ATV, UTV and Hummer tours in the four peaks area of the Sonoran Desert. He was an amazing guide and loved the desert.
In the summer months he was self employed doing interior/exterior painting and carpentry.

by Charles D Novak

School Board Meeting Minutes March 11, 2019 (Board approved 4-8-2019)

by Tom Coombe
After gaining all-state acclaim in cross country, it’s only natural to expect that Luke Olson would have an immediate impact in his first season of high school track.
The Ely junior is living up to that billing and then some, helping lead the Timberwolves’ boys team to a victory at Tuesday’s Two Harbors Invitational, held at Esko.
Olson won the 800 meter run, and did so with a sizzling time of 2:02, and fellow juniors Eric Omerza (triple jump) and Nate Nettifee (400 dash) also came home with first-place finishes.
Overall, Ely piled up 110 points, easily topping runner-up Esko and 12 other schools.
“ There were big performances Tuesday, led by Luke Olson’s 2:02 in the 800,” said Ely Head Coach Will Helms. “ His time is the fastest since Adam Shultz’s section and state times from 13 years ago.”
Tuesday marked Olson’s second time in the 800 event, and he outpaced Esko’s Sam Rengo to get the win.

This week the annual Echo Progress Edition is released with more to come next week! Some news items were overlooked due to an unforeseen computer problem mid-week which caused the glitch. Nonetheless, there’s plenty of reading in this week’s issue along with lots of photos!

The Echo staff takes pride in reporting the news of the area and does so in a professional manner. We live here and raise our families here. Like the folks profiled in this week’s Echo, we’re invested here and recognize the importance of jobs and future.

Africa Yoon Byonchan Yoon

by Tom Coombe -

NEW CT SCANNER - Radiology department employees at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital: Susan McCormick, Brianna Crawford, Angela Olson and Victor Aime

Docks on Wheels owner Bob Koschak stand with dock material at his business located west of Ely on Highway 169. His is just one of many area businesses profiled in this week’s Ely Echo.

CONGRATULATIONS to Bob Champa for reaching 40 years of volunteering to teach gun safety to Ely youngsters. Shaking his had is DNR law enforcement officer Sean Williams. Photo by Megan Wognum.

Dallas Eugene Geiger (80) of Ely, passed away Wednesday night, April 24, 2019 from a short, but brave battle with heart disease. He was at home surrounded by his wife and children.
Dallas was born on December 4, 1938 in Fostoria, Michigan. He met his wife Sharon (Prahl) in 1964 in Ely, while he was on a logging job. They started their family in Michigan and later moved back to Ely in 1991.
Dallas was an avid hunter and fisherman who developed a love for all animals. He enjoyed feeding the deer, fox, birds and chipmunks from his lakeside home. He was also very passionate about his woodworking business “Country Pine,” and loved working in his shop. Dallas was a very fun-loving man and told jokes right up to the end. He was a loving and devoted husband and father and will be greatly missed.