Search Archived Marriage Records
Max Brandon Alltop
Max Brandon Alltop, 40, SERVICES: Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Vermilion Funeral Home Chapel in Tower. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until the service at the chapel. Spring burial will be in the Cook Cemetery. An informal get-together will be held following the service at the Vermilion Club. Friends are encouraged to bring snapshots of Max to share at the service. To share a personal remembrance of Max online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Max Brandon Alltop, 40, of Cook, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
He was born March 24, 1964, in Kewanee, Ill., the son of Morris "Tom" and Jeanette (Hanchett) Alltop. He attended Kewanee, Mich., school, graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1982, and received a certificate in meat cutting from Pipestone. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for Lake States Construction, a Fiber Optics company in Ely; was a bartender at the Vermilion Club, and invented the "Maxell Smart," a popular drink at the club; and belonged to the Vermilion Penguin Snowmobile Club. He loved life and lived his life to the fullest extent. He loved to dance and could find fish for other people. He loved North country/"God's" country, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, four-wheeling, cooking, gardening, canning and freezing his gardened goods, and he had his own recipe for the best venison breakfast sausage.
He is survived by his father, Tom Alltop of Cook; mother, Jeanette Alltop of Apple Valley; sisters, Kimberly Ann (Robert) Cederholm of Spokane, Wash., and Angela Kay (Steve) Haugen of Farmington, Minn.; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Hanchett of Bradford, Ill.; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Frank and Hattie Alltop; maternal grandfather, Everett Hanchett; great grandmother, Alta Oberg Hill.
Genevieve Rockstad
Genevieve Rockstad, 90, SERVICES: The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Bemidji, Minn., under the direction of the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji. Father Michael Patnode will officiate. Family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church. Inurnment will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Big Falls, Minn. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Genevieve Rockstad, 90, of Bemidji, Minn., died Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, in San Antonio, Texas.
Genevieve Lucy Wilkowski was born Dec. 22, 1914, in Mellen, Wis., to Matthew and Laura Wilkowski. She had nine siblings. Geney graduated from high school in Big Falls in 1933. She married Marion James Rockstad in 1941. She held various jobs throughout her lifetime, including waitress, postal clerk, city clerk for the city of Big Falls, service coordinator for Kooch-Itasca Action Council, and retail clerk. Geney spent the last 28 years living with her sister, Ann Wattles, in Bemidji. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, reading, working crossword puzzles, and playing bingo with her friends. She was an avid sports fan. She was also an active member of St. Philip’s Church.
Geney is survived by her sons, Donald Rockstad of San Antonio, and Walter (Jane) Rockstad of Virginia; sister, Ann Wattles of Bemidji; niece, Valerie (Rick) Hanson of Bemidji; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and one son, James.
Norma Jane Gross
Norma Jane Gross, 74, SERVICES: Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Wednesday in Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Hoyt Lakes, with the Rev. David Forsman as celebrant. Visitation 5-7 p.m. today in the Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora, and will continue for one hour Wednesday prior to Mass at the church. Burial will be in the Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery.
Norma Jane Gross, 74, of Hoyt Lakes died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2005, in the White Community Hospital in Aurora.
She was born June 18, 1930, in Cedar Lake, Ind., to Walter P. and Theresia A. (Massoth) Schreiber. Norma was a graduate of Lowell District High School in Lowell, Ind., and later worked for Simmons Mattress Factory in Dyer, Ind., as a fitness trainer. She married Leo V. Gross on June 7, 1969, in Minneapolis. In 1986, they moved to Hoyt Lakes, where Norma was an active member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church and its choir.
She also was a member of the Timothy Robinson Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary, serving as president for seven years and active in auxiliaries for 38 years, the Hoyt Lakes Garden Club and Hoyt Lakes Senior Bowling. Norma enjoyed cooking and gardening and especially was an avid outdoors person who enjoyed fly-in fishing trips to Canada.
Survivors include her children, Carl (Roni) Watt of Crown Point, Ind., Stephen Watt of Corydon, Ind., Robert (Janice) Gross of Lowell, Ind., and Walter (Amy) Gross of Aurora; a sister, Barbara Coburger, of Hoyt Lakes; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo D.; brothers, Earl, Clifford and Roman; a sister, Cecilia; and a great-grandson, Zachary Armallius.
Anelma “Anne” M. Richter
Anelma “Anne” M. Richter, 84, SERVICES: A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. today at the Wallkill Cemetery in Middletown, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.
Anelma “Anne” M. Richter, 84, of Goshen, N.Y., died Friday, Feb. 25, 2005, at Orange Regional Medical Central-Arden Hill Campus in Goshen, N.Y.
She was born May 25, 1920, in Embarrass, to Alex Hanka and Elizabeth Saari Hanka. She married Arthur Richter and was a homemaker. Anne was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother who was dedicated to her family and loved to laugh, bake and garden. She was very active in community service. Anne was cherished and loved by all who knew her.
Anne is survived by her husband, Arthur Richter of East Durham, N.Y.; two sons, Arthur (MaryAnn) Richter of Eveleth, and Brett (Susan) Richter of Wurtsboro, N.Y.; two daughters, Wendy Karkheck of East Durham, N.Y., and Maxx (Bart) Lucido of Middletown, N.Y.; two brothers, Walter Hanka of Pike River, Minn., and Henry Hanka of Aurora-Hoyt Lakes; a sister, Adele Buono of Saugerties, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Brittany, Alec, Jesse, B.J., Ian, Benjamin and Liz; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Levi and Paul Hanka; and one sister, Inez.
Duane Bruce Esala
Duane Bruce Esala, 56, SERVICES: Funeral 3 p.m. Sunday at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Virginia, with the Rev. John A. Frahm officiating. Burial will be at a later date in North Sandy Cemetery. Online remembrances may be sent to rangefuneralhome@msn.com. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Duane Bruce Esala, 56, died Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005, in Minneapolis.
He was born March 9, 1948 to Sulo and Lillian (Dunbar) Esala in Virginia. He grew up in Pike and attended McKinley and Gilbert schools, graduating from Gilbert in 1966. Under his graduation picture it stated, “I think, I think more than you think I think.’’ Bruce had been baptized then confirmed at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He graduated from Virginia Junior College and went on to get a bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Minnesota. Bruce was a champion chess player, loved all music and was an accomplished guitar player. From his librarian mother he acquired his love for reading and was described by many as a “brilliant historian.’’ Bruce was never afraid to travel. As a youth he played for the Pike River Pirates and, just like his parents, enjoyed those Vikings and Twins. Bruce was preparing for a trip to England, but instead God had prepared a place for him.
Survivors include his father, Sulo, of Pike; a sister, Lannie (Brian) Martinson of Lake Vermilion-Tower; aunts and uncles, Emma Jean and Violet Dunbar of Virginia, Willard (Elsie) Esala of Pike, Toivo (Ardis) Esala of Wadena, Hugo (Lorraine) Esala of Tucson, Ariz., and Ailie Koenig of Bremerton, Wash.; 31 first cousins, along with numerous other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother on May 31, 1989, and an infant sister in 1946; uncles and aunts, Nick and Ethel Esala, Walfred and Lydia Esala, Leonard Koenig, Vienna and Frank Johnson and Turna Esala; and cousins, John Norman and David Esala.
Phyllis Lettow
Phyllis Lettow, 67, SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. The Rev. Larry Antus, O.M.I., will be the celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, with a wake prayer service at 6:45 p.m. at the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Members of the Cook Area Lions Club will be the casketbearers, and members of the Cook Hospital Auxiliary will be the honorary bearers. Spring interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Breckenridge, Minn.
Phyllis Lettow, 67, of Cook, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at the Cook Hospital.
Phyllis was born on April 27, 1937, at Aberdeen, S.D., the daughter of Mike Jr. and Catherine (Schile) Feist. She grew up in Aberdeen, where she graduated from Central High School. She was united in marriage to Donald Lettow on June 2, 1958, at Aberdeen. After marriage, they lived in several areas, and while living in Breckenridge, Phyllis was a member of the Wahpeton, N.D., Fraternal Order of Eagles Chapter 2749, and while living in Willmar, she belonged to the Eagles Chapter 2334. They moved to Cook in 1992, where they became members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Phyllis belonged to the Council of Catholic Women, was a longtime dedicated volunteer of the Cook Community Food Shelf and the Cook Hospital Auxiliary, commonly known as the Thrift Shop, and was a past president. She also was a member of the Cook Senior Citizens and enjoyed fishing, crocheting and reading. She also enjoyed the outdoors and in the care of wildlife, including feeding birds, fox and deer. Phyllis will be remembered as a dedicated wife and loving mother and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Don; six sons, Michael of Chaska, Minn., Kevin (Teresa) of Farmington, Minn., John (Denise) of West Fargo, N.D., Patrick of Wahpeton, N.D., Jeffery (Kari) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Tom (Jennifer) of Shakopee, MInn.; three daughters, Rita (Alvin) Boeck of Kent, Minn., Julie (Bill) Krumweide of West Fargo, N.D., and Diane (Roy) Baxter of Fairview, Mont.; 11 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Verne I. Ojanpa
Verne I. Ojanpa, 84, SERVICES: Memorial Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Range Recreation Civic Center in Eveleth. Fr. Frank Perkovich will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before services. Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Arrangements are by Cron-Sheehy Funeral Home in Eveleth.
Verne I. Ojanpa, 84, of Eveleth died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at his home.
He was born on Aug. 11, 1920, in Eveleth to Iver and Hilda (Lassila) Ojanpa. Verne graduated from Eveleth High School, Eveleth Junior College and received a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota in 1948. While at the university, Verne was a NCAA All American swimmer in 1945. Verne was married to Adeline E. Marcaccini on Aug. 21, 1948 in Eveleth. Verne was the junior high athletic director in the Austin School District for 33 years, retiring in 1981. Following his retirement, Verne and his wife returned to Eveleth and made their home at Ely Lake. He was a member of Eveleth Elks Lodge 1161, Eveleth Lions Club, a very active member in the Eveleth Curling Club and a member of the Super Seniors national championship curling squad in 1996.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Adeline "Lina;" son, Brian (Katie) of Mankato, Minn.; daughters, Jane (Greg) Gilness of Virginia and Mary (Charles) Demm of St. Cloud, Minn.; grandchildren, John and Jordann Ojanpa, Siiri and Jim Gilness, and Gina and Nic Demm; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley; and his parents.
Richard Erchul Sr.
Richard Erchul Sr., 80, SERVICES: A private family memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Friday in Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Fr. Frank Perkovich was the officiant. Spring inurnment will be in the Gilbert Cemetery.
Richard William Erchul Sr., 80, of Gilbert died Wednesday, March 2, 2005, in St. Raphael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Eveleth.
He was born Aug. 3, 1924, in Gilbert to Leo and Helen (Jaeger) Erchul. He was a 1942 graduate of Gilbert High School and later worked for area mines. He served our country as a World War II Marine, receiving the Purple Heart. He married Viola Gulbranson on Nov. 24, 1945, in Gilbert. He worked for Erie Mining Company as a heavy equipment operator with 25 years of service. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and its choir, a life member of the George and Mark Klobuchar VFW Post of Gilbert and the Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Gilbert Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years.
Survivors include his wife, Viola; children, Vicki (Richard) Mohar of Gilbert, Richard Jr. (Shari) Erchul of Gilbert and Mary Jane Patrow of Gilbert; seven grandchildren, Brian (JoAnn) Mohar, Rachelle (Ron) Huffman, Derek (Penny) Erchul, Bradley Erchul, Kimberly (Fred) Hendrickson, Joshua Patrow and Danielle (Matt) Brunner; 11 great-grandchildren, Matthew and Tanner Mohar, Megan and Mitchell Huffman, Cortney and Kaylen Erchul, Thomas Brunner, Dalton Patrow, Sydney Patrow, Destiny Patrow and Annika Hendrickson; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leo Jr., Frank and John Sr.; and sisters, Mary Peterson, Nell Ketchum and Rose Erchul.
Margaret E. Lundstrom
Margaret E. Lundstrom, 96, SERVICES: Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service Monday at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. The Rev. Roger Carlson will officiate. Burial will be in East Pike Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mesabi Humane Society Animal Shelter in Virginia.
Margaret E. Lundstrom, 96, of Lake Vermilion-Tower died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at her home.
She was born on Jan. 26, 1909, to August and Elizabeth (Kuusinennen) Elde in Biwabik. She grew up and attended school in Pike. On July 31, 1932, she married Sanfrid Lundstrom in Virginia. Following marriage they lived in rural Eveleth for a number of years and then moved to Pike Bay, Lake Vermilion. She had been a cook for the Tourraine and Hearthside Homes and also had work at the Cluett-Peabody Shirt Factory. She was a member of the “Little Church”, the former Vermilion Lake Lutheran Church and the Mesabi Humane Society. She enjoyed traveling to Finland, California and Washington, D.C. She loved dogs, gardening, knitting, tatting handwork and picking blueberries.
Survivors include her children, William Lundstrom of Tower, Richard (Karen) Lundstrom of Tower, James Lundstrom of Ely, Rodney (Pamela) Lundstrom of Lake Vermilion, Tower, Maxine (Timothy) Hughes of Lake Vermilion, Tower; 16 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Sanfrid; a son, Arnold; a grandson, Richard W. Lundstrom; and infant sister; daughter-in-laws Gisela and Carol Lundstrom.
Gilbert Chris Menuey
Gilbert Chris Menuey, 81, SERVICES: Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Hoyt Lakes with the Rev. Elton Brown officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Inurnment with military honors provided by the Aurora Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in Hoyt Lakes Memorial Cemetery. Arrangements are by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora.
Gilbert Chris Menuey, 81, of Hoyt Lakes died Friday, March 4, 2005, at White Community Hospital in Aurora.
Gilbert was born Aug. 8, 1923 to Chris and Marie (Anderson) Menuey at Newport, Neb. He was raised in Hot Springs, S.D., where he attended school. He then moved to Leadville, Colo., where he was employed by Climax Molybdenum Co. for 16 years. In 1946, he married Marian Van Pelt in Denver. In 1956 he moved to Hoyt Lakes where he was employed by Erie Mining Co. for 28 years, retiring in 1986 as a maintenance general foreman. In retirement he divided his time between Florence, Ariz. and Hoyt Lakes where he enjoyed his hobbies of golf, dove hunting, and playing snooker. He was a member of the Aurora American Legion Post, Mining Engineering Club, and served on the Hoyt Lakes Golf Commission.
He is survived by his wife, Marian; sons, Alan (Pauline) of Hoyt Lakes, Van (Trish) of St. Paul and Don (Christine) Menuey of Two Harbors; a sister, Helen Wilson of Westminister, Colo.; grandchildren, Tina Menuey, Justin Menuey, Larry Menuey, Justin H. Menuey, Ryan Menuey, and Alex Menuey; great grandchildren, Steven DeLage, Jessica Olson, and Todd Olson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond and Larry; and a sister, Betty Gay.
Leonard R. Niemi
Leonard R. Niemi, 78, SERVICES: Memorial service 11 a.m. Wednesday in Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora, with the Rev. Darin Elvemo officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Memorials preferred to Virgie Hegg Hospice of Cook. Spring inurnment will be in the Embarrass Cemetery. Military honors will be accorded by the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes Color Guard.
Leonard R. Niemi, 78, of Virginia died peacefully Saturday, March 5, 2005, at his residence.
He was born Sept. 30, 1926, in Florenton, Minn., to Emil and Hulda (Perttu) Ojaniemi. He attended school in Virginia and later worked in the shipyards in Longview, Wash. He served the country as a World War II Army veteran serving in Europe. On Jan. 11, 1947, he married Alice Lamppa in Virginia and the couple settled in Embarrass. He worked construction with the 49ers union and later for Reserve Mining Co., until the mining operation ended. In retirement he operated his own excavating business until 1995.
He was a member of the Babbitt Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1539, the Aurora American Legion Post 241, the Virginia Masonic Lodge 264, the Virginia Chapter 77 of the Royal Arch Masons and the Eveleth Commandry 35 Shrine. He was also a member of the Versaba Shrine Club, the AAD Temple Shrine of Duluth and the Order of the Eastern Star 156 of Tower. He served as the Embarrass Township supervisor, was an avid fisherman, Minnesota sports fan, enjoyed reading and liberal politics. He was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandsons.
Leonard touched many lives. His caring thoughtfulness and sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his wife, Alice; daughters, Roberta (David) Pike of Embarrass and Barbara (David) Hegg of Angora; sisters, Evie (Art) Lamppa of Virginia and Lyna (Ernie) Lamppa of Embarrass; grandchildren, Tricia (Scott) Shuck of Aurora, Jeff Pike of Britt, Jason Hegg of Ann Arbor, Mich., and AJ Hegg of Minneapolis; two great-grandchildren, Noah Shuck and Carter Hegg; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Becky Niemi; brothers, John Arnie, Ero and Bill; and sisters, Touvi “Toby’’ Fields and Laura Heikkila.
Justin Mark Flake
Justin Mark Flake, 28, SERVICES: Funeral 1 p.m. Tuesday at Faith United Lutheran Church in Iron, with Pastor Matthew Griggs officiating. Visitation 6-8 p.m. today at the church and one hour prior to the service Tuesday. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia. Arrangements are by Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Justin Mark Flake, 28, of Virginia died Saturday, March 5, 2005, at his home after a very heroic battle with cancer.
He was born June 3, 1976, to Tom and Mary Ann Flake in Virginia. Justin was an identical twin and his parents only knew for a few hours prior to his birth that they were going to have twins. When he was little his parents often referred to him as their “bonus’’ baby.
Justin was raised in Virginia and graduated in 1994 from Virginia High School. As a teen-ager he enjoyed skateboarding and BMX racing with his brother, Shawn, and cousin, Cameron Larson. As an adult Justin loved looking for agates. He could spend hours in gravel pits and called agates “the world’s oldest antiques.’’ Most recently he enjoyed family times, Sunday dinner at his Grandma Dorothy and Grandpa Ed’s, spending time with his daughter, Ali, and watching and recording movies on his DVD recorder.
Prior to his disability Justin worked in Hibbing and was employed by Nobel Industries. He was diagnosed on July 7, 2004, with metastatic melanoma. At that time he moved back home so his mom and stepdad could take care of him. After his disability he received excellent medical care from Dr. Kirschling, his nursing staff and Anne Flaim and the Fairview Mountain Iron staff. Justin and his family often referred to them as his guardian angels.
Justin is survived by his daughter, Alison Montgomery, of Burnsville, Minn.; his mom and stepdad, Mary Ann and Dave Hansen of Virginia; his older brother, Tom (Tefta) Flake, of Las Vegas, Nev., and his identical twin brother. Shawn (April) Flake, of Grand Junction, Colo.; his maternal grandmother, Dorothy (Ed) Jacobson, of Iron; his paternal grandmother, Lorraine Turnham, of Eveleth; former stepfather, Paul Staudahar, of Virginia; and numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and many good friends.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Tom Flake; his maternal grandfather, Jack R. Christianson; his maternal stepgrandmother, Sue Christianson; and good friends Jessica Lenich and John Kaufman.
Even though Justin will be sadly missed, he now has his Daddy and Grandpa Jack to take care of him.
