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Joanne M. Criswell
Joanne M. Criswell, 70, SERVICES: Memorial services for Joanne will be held in Ely in the spring. Arrangements by Kerntz Brothers, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To leave an online remembrance, go to: www.baumanfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Joanne M. Criswell, 70, of Ely died Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Ely-Bloomenson Hospital.
She was born Aug. 18, 1934, in Ely to Joseph and An (Amitrano) Debeltz. She attended Ely Memorial High School and was married to Cecil Criswell in Ely in 1952. Following her marriage she moved to Chicago, where she lived and worked for the next 38 years. She then moved to Babbitt until her husband’s death, and then returned home to Ely, where she enjoyed her family and friends until the time of her death.
Joanne was a wonderful sister and will be greatly missed by her many friends, especially her best friend “Benji.’’ She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and the Ely Moose Ladies Auxiliary 1580.
She is survived by four brothers, John (Cheryl) Debeltz and Jerome (Mary) Debeltz, both of Ely, Jonathan (Cheryl) Debeltz of Green River, Wyo., and Jerry Debeltz of St. Cloud, Fla.; a sister, Jean (Don) Hasselblad, of Elko, Nev.; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Cecil, her husband of almost 40 years; brothers Joseph I, Jack, James and Joseph II; and a sister, Julia.
Betty L. (Bloomquist) Hakala
Betty L. (Bloomquist) Hakala, 83, SERVICES: Funeral 2 p.m. Wednesday at Littleton & Rue Funeral Home of Springfield, Ohio, with Pastor Daniel M. Powell officiating. Visitation 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8899 Brookside Ave., West Chester, OH 45069 or the American Cancer Society, 1130 Vester Ave., Springfield, OH 45503. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.littletonandrue.com.
Betty L. (Bloomquist) Hakala, 83, of Springfield, Ohio, left this life Saturday evening, Dec. 4, 2004, in her residence following a lengthy illness.
She was born June 17, 1921, in Virginia to the late Ole H. and Ragnhild (Eldien) Bloomquist. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and attended Virginia Junior College. She devoted her life to being a loving wife and mother. Betty traveled extensively with her family in the United States and abroad during the 30 years of her husband’s military service. She established their home in 28 different locations in 30 years, sometimes with not much more than a roof over their heads. She was a member of Rockway Lutheran Church.
Suvivors include her husband of 63 years, Pastor Wendell E. Hakala; two sons, W. Lee (Anne) Hakala of Hilton Head, S.C., and Bruce A. (Denise) Hakala of St. Clair Shores, Mich.; a daughter, Gail (Ollie) Eldridge, of Bellefontaine, Ohio; nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Andrea, Kristen, Nancy, Kristine, Bruce II, Erik, Benjamin and Christopher; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Kermit and Quentin (Edith) Bloomquist, both of Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Shirley Zupetz; and a brother, Harlin.
Tammy Fredrickson
Tammy Fredrickson, 30, SERVICES: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing. The Rev. Bruce Dissell will officiate. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hibbing.
Tammy Fredrickson, 30, of Hibbing, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, in the University Medical Center-Mesabi, Hibbing.
She was born July 4, 1974, in Hibbing. She was baptized at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and attended Hibbing schools, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1992. She had worked at Kids Can Be Kids Daycare and was involved with the MS Society's Bouncing Bean Team. She loved her family, children, music, her art and animals. She recently got a new puppy, Sassy, after the death of her beloved dog, Shadow.
Tammy is survived by her parents, John and Corinne Fredrickson of Hibbing; a brother, John of Duluth; a sister, Renee, at home; maternal grandparents, Barb and Ted Wilen of Hibbing; paternal grandmother, Harriet Fredrickson of Hibbing and formerly of Park Point, Duluth; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends; and by Rick (Cindy) Blight and their children.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Roy Fredrickson; and by her baby, Shadow.
Frank Palcher
Frank Palcher, 97, SERVICES: A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. The Rev. James Scheuer will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ely Cemetery. Memorials should be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely or Northwoods Hospice/Respite. Family services are provided by Kerntz Brothers, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To leave an online remembrance of Frank, go to www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
Frank Palcher, 97, a lifelong resident of Ely, died Friday, Dec. 3, 2004, at the Ely Bloomenson Hospital.
He was born Nov. 25, 1907, in Ely, to Joseph and Johanna (Globokar) Palcher. Frank was married in Ely in 1939 to Jennie Teran. He was a lifetime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, KSKJ Lodge 72, AFU Lodge 200; and was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of the Moose. He was also a past member and officer of the Local Steelworkers Union 1664 and a charter member of the Steelworkers Credit Union.
Frank was a contract miner for U.S. Steel in Ely’s Pioneer Mine for 42 years, and the last survivor of the five man crew who “sealed the A shaft” of the Pioneer Mine when it closed in 1967.
Frank is survived by a son, Frank J. (Connie) Palcher of Ham Lake; a daughter, Kathleen (Manfred) Dobler of Woodbury; five grandchildren, Colleen (Tom) Ledin, Brenda (Bruce) Klatt, Sheri (Steve) Lonnes, Scott (Michele) Peterson, and Bradley (Kate) Peterson; six great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Labernik of Ely; and brothers, Victor (Sophie) Palcher and Louis Palcher, both of Ely.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jennie, who died in 1997; a daughter, Lorraine, who died in 1947; his parents; his brothers, Joe, John, Edward, Ludwig and Anton; and sisters, Jennie Golob, Margie Gornick, Julia Giddings and Angela Vesel.
Frank will always be remembered for his sense of compassion, charity, family, a strong work ethic and his firm belief in the value of education.
Joyce Gulbranson
Joyce Gulbranson, 76, SERVICES: Funeral 10 a.m. Thursday at the Robertson-Jay Funeral Home in Ottumwa, Iowa, with the Rev. John Spiegel officiating. Visitation begins 9 a.m. today at the funeral home, with family visitation 5-7 p.m. today. Burial will be in the Ottumwa Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Douglas DeMoss, Leland Skinner, Anthony Gulbranson, Colt Slater, Casey Slater and Kelcey Campbell. Honorary pallbearers will be Danielle, Caitlin, Sammy and Jesse Gulbranson. Memorials may be made to Hospice Inc.
Joyce Gulbranson, 76, of Ottumwa, Iowa, died Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Hospice House, Ottumwa, Iowa.
She was born Oct. 16, 1928, in Virginia to Nicholas T. and Mary Magdalene Hurley Bergan Sr. She married Garfield “Gubby’’ Gulbranson on June 8, 1952, in Gilbert. She was a 1946 Gilbert High School graduate, a member of the Iron Range Historical Society in Gilbert, the Gilbert Snowmobile Club, Ottumwa Izaak Walton group and American Legion Auxiliary. She lived in Tucson, Ariz., from 1969 to 1973, and moved to Ottumwa in 1999. She enjoyed gardening and cooking.
Survivors include her spouse, Garfield; two sons, Garfield (Valerie) Gulbranson Jr. of Vail, Ariz., and Douglas (Suzy) Gulbranson of Ottumwa, Iowa; two daughters, Bonnie (Steve) Campbell of Agency, Iowa, and Kathleen Gulbranson of Ottumwa; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Jean Bergan, of Seattle, Wash.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a grandson, Josh Campbell; and two brothers, Nicholas Bergan Jr. and her twin, Jack Bergan.
Robert S. Tollefson
Robert S. Tollefson, 72, SERVICES: A Fort Snelling burial will take place in the spring. Condolences may be sent to 2470 Tower Dr., Woodbury, Minn., 55125.
Robert S. Tollefson, 72, of Woodbury, Minn., died suddenly on Dec. 2, 2004, at home.
He was married to Carole Hoglund of Parkville, Minn., in 1971.
Robert is survived by his loving wife and friend, Carole; daughters, Robbie and Cheryl; three grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Wamstad and Darlene Daily; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Toivo ‘Jack’ Saarberg
Toivo ‘Jack’ Saarberg, 91, SERVICES: Funeral 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Palo, with the Rev. Brian Birk and the Rev. Mel Johnson officiating. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Friday at the church, and will continue one hour prior to service Saturday at the church. Burial will follow in the Rauha Cemetery in Palo. Services provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share a personal remembrance online, go to: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
Toivo “Jack” Saarberg, 91, of Palo died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, in the White Community Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility, Aurora.
He was born May 15, 1913, in Palo, the son of Isaac and Aliisa Saarberg and lived in the area most of his life. Jack attended Compton Secretarial School in Duluth and Suomi College in Hancock, Mich., and married Turna Helen Williams on Jan. 22, 1935, in Virginia. He was employed by Pickands Mather Co. for 25 years and retired from Erie Mining Co. in 1975 as an electrical foreman. Jack was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Palo, where he served as the secretary and choir director in the 1930s. He sailed on the Great Lakes ore boats and served in the Merchant Marine Service during World War II.
Jack loved the woods and canoe trips and was a great hunter and loved to fish. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years for Palo Troop 130. Jack was a very musical person, who, along with transposing and composing music, enjoyed playing the piano, organ, accordion, ukulele and harmonica. Other hobbies he loved included carving wooden spoons and pictures.
Jack is survived by daughters Janet (Arnold) Suihkonen of Mountain Iron and Diane (Michael) Palm of Palo; a son, Timothy (Doris) Saarberg, of Palo; eight grandchildren, Vern (Cheryl) Suihkonen, Jill (Tom) Aubin, Cheryl (Dave) Gillis, Scott (Ann) Palm, Holly (Kevin) Evans, Tammy (Ken) Snetsinger, Gena (Tim) Saarberg-Jorgensen and Isaac Saarberg; seven great-grandchildren, Colin (Bethany) Gillis, Andrea Aubin, Kevin Aubin, Jaakob Anderson, Hunter Evans, Samantha Evans and Kaitlyn Palm; stepgreat-grand children, Nicole Zetwick and Brandi Zetwick; a great-great-granddaughter, Hailey Gillis; sisters-in-law, Ruth Williams, Vivian Williams and Joyce Saarberg: and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Turna, in 1991; five brothers, John, Bill, Wayne, Eino and Ray; and a sister, Laimi Sippola.
Dorothy Lepisto
Dorothy Lepisto, 73, SERVICES: Memorial service 1 p.m. Friday at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia, with the Rev. John O’Donnell officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will be in Forbes Cemetery.
Dorothy Lepisto, 73, of rural Eveleth died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004, at St. Raphael’s Health & Rehabilitation Center in Eveleth.
She was born Nov. 13, 1931, to Eino and Francis (Gruden) Laakso in Genoa Location. She grew up and attended school in Virginia and also graduated from the Minneapolis Business School. She married Richard Lepisto Sept. 5, 1953, in Virginia. They lived in the Virginia area until the late 1950s, when they moved to rural Eveleth. They were the owners and operators of Biss Lock & Gun Repair Shop. She was a former leader of the south Fayal 4-H Club.
Surviving are her two daughters, Shelly (Thomas) Russ of Duluth and Kari (Michael) Bushey in Belgium; two sons, Steven (Eva) Lepisto of Virginia and Jack (Lori Strle) Lepisto of Virginia; eight grandchildren, Patrick, Kevin, Zachary, Sira, Jake, Jasmine, Brandon and Beverly; a brother, Leo (Sally) Wagman, of Carlton, Minn.; and a sister, Debbie (Al) Waldorf, of Eveleth.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather; husband, Richard, on Aug. 1, 2002; and two brothers.
Aune M. Mitson
Aune M. Mitson, 94, SERVICES: Funeral 2 p.m. Saturday at United in Christ Lutheran Church in Eveleth, with the Rev. Daniel L. Johns and the Rev. Eric Lemonholm officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Burial will be in the Eveleth Cemetery. Arrangements are by Cron-Sheehy Funeral Home.
Aune Marie Mitson, 94, of Eveleth passed away Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, at St. Raphael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Eveleth.
She was born in Eveleth Nov. 30, 1910, to Elias and Ida W. (Huhtala) Heikkila. She was a 1929 graduate of Eveleth High School and a 1931 graduate of Eveleth Junior College. She was the valedictorian of her ninth-grade graduation class in 1926.
Aune was active in many community activities. She was a lifetime member of the United in Christ Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, charter member of the Priscilla Club, belonged to the Martha Circle and was a quilter for several years. She was a member of the Ladies of Kaleva for 63 years, a charter member of the Cherry Area Senior Citizens and served on the Eveleth Heritage Committee. She volunteered with the Meals on the Wheels program for many years. Aune loved to sew and was a seamstress for the entire family and friends. She was proud of being the oldest and one of the first residents of the Lincoln Place Apartments, having resided there since June 1, 1997.
She was dearly loved and is survived by her son, James John (Eileen) Mitson, of St. Louis Park, Minn., and their children, Debbie (Steve) Simmons of Plymouth, Minn., Mark Mitson of Bloomington and Stephon Mitson of Minneapolis; four great-grandchildren, Jimmy and Laura Mitson and Zachary and Nicholas Simmons; sisters, Martha Birney of Overland Park, Kan., and Miriam Keith of Kansas City, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James T. Mitson; her parents; sisters, Aili Heikkila and Ida Boettger; and brothers, Walter and William Heikkila.
Eugene Lahtonen
Eugene Lahtonen, 77, SERVICES: Funeral at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kerntz Funeral Chapel in Ely. The Rev. James Scheuer will officiate. Inurnment will be at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt in the spring. Family services provided by Kerntz Brothers, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Ely. To leave an online remembrance to Gene, go to www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
Eugene Lahtonen, 77, of Ely, died at home on Dec. 8, 2004.
He was born in Embarrass on Oct. 3, 1927, to Joseph and Emma (Tainio) Lahtonen. He graduated from Embarrass High School in 1945 and served in the Army Air Force during World War II. On April 28, 1958, he married John Muhvich at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely.
Gene sailed as mate on the Great Lakes for 12 years, sailing for Buckeye Steamship Company on iron ore freighters. He later worked as a mechanic at Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt for 23 years until his retirement.
Gene is survived by his wife, Joan; sons, John “Lahto’’ (Sarah Burger) of Ely, James (Tammy) of Kentucky, Joseph (Shelley) of Ohio and David (Valerie) of North Dakota; sisters, Elsie (Julian) Wiermaa of Babbitt and Mae (Arne) Anderson of Duluth; five grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dog, Misty.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son and two brothers, Leo and Ray.
Elmer Matt Kesanen
Elmer Matt Kesanen, 91, SERVICES: Visitation will be Sunday from 5-7 p.m. in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel, Virginia. Visitation will continue Monday from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service in the Sand Lake Chapel in Britt. Pastor Richard Lohry will officiate. Interment will follow in the Sand Lake Cemetery, Britt. The family prefers memorials to the Salvation Army. Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Elmer Matt Kesanen, logger, 91, of Britt, died Thursday, Dec. 9, 2004, in his home.
He was born March 13, 1913 in Virginia to Matt and Kristina (Mikkola) Kesanen. He grew up near Lake Vermilion and attended school in Cook. On Nov. 21, 1936, he married Mildred H. Holkko in Virginia. They made their home in Grand Marais, and later in Virginia and Britt. During the years, they owned and operated the Lakeview Hotel in Grand Marais and the Roosevelt Lunch in Virginia. He was owner of Kesanen Logging Co. on the Echo Trail where his son now has a cabin on one of the "camp" sites. He was one of the last loggers to run a complete old style logging camp. He was a member of the Logger's Hall of Fame. He was in the local carpenters union and later in the Millwright Union. He was a member of the Sand Lake Chapel, and a life member of the Moose Club. Elmer will be greatly missed by his large family and many friends of all ages. He entertained their interest with stories of the "good old days," whether 9 or 90! He was a hunter, trapper, fisherman, gardener, and avid blueberry picker, who introduced his children and grandchildren and their families to his passions. His garden was his pride, with family helping when he "slowed" down somewhat. Grandpa's Christmas morning pancakes will be missed this year at the family gathering.
Surviving are his son, Byron (Mary) Kesanen of Britt; his daughter, Marietta "Bunny" Isaacson of Virginia; seven grandchildren, Kurt (Barb) Kesanen of Britt, Ted (Missy) Kesanen of Britt, Jody (Michael) Poaletti of South Grove, Christi Cothren of Zephryn, Texas, Jill (Kyle) Morton of Coon Rapids, Paula (John) Laakkonen of Ham Lake and Erik (Traci) Isaacson of Mandan, N.D.; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert (Amy) Kesanen of Wasilla, Alaska; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Hans, Roy and Clifford; sisters, Ilma, Irene and Evelyn; and his wife, Mildred in 1992.
