Olga Feroni, 97, died on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Waterview Pines facility in Virginia.   Olga was born on July 25, 1922 in Ely, MN to Slovenian immigrants John and Agnes (Zupec) Skraba and was a lifelong resident of Ely until she moved to Virginia in 2005 to be closer to her family.  She attended the Ely schools and worked at Tauzell’s store until her marriage to John “Curly” Feroni on August 17, 1946. She was a devoted wife and mother in...

Linda Mary Blauert, 76, passed away in peace holding her son John’s hand with Cammie, James, Liz and Sasha, her poodle, by her side on January 5, 2020, in Elk River, Minnesota.   Linda was born in Grand Rapids, MN, on November 15, 1943, to Florence (Steffes) and Raymond DeShaw. Linda graduated from Greenway High School in 1961. Her graduation picture caption stated, “A peppy girl with lots of noise” and that was Linda- enthusiastic, feisty and courageous. Linda...

William D. Maki, 75, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer and other health complications resulting from it.   Bill was born to the late Andrew and Ann Maki on January 23, 1944.  He married Jean Miklausich on July 3, 1965 and they enjoyed 54 years together. Bill attended Ely schools, Vermilion Community College, and University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he earned his degree in business. After graduation, Bill taught accounting...

Karen Lynn Close, 77, of Ely, passed away at home on Sunday, January 5, 2020. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

MILTON HARVEY NETZER, 80, of Ely, MN died Wednesday, December 25, 2019 on Christmas Day at Carefree Living in Babbitt, MN. Milton was born on February 18,1939 at the family farm near Mikkelson, ND to Emil and Edna Netzer. His family moved to Jamestown, ND in 1945. Milton went from a small farmhouse school in LaMoure County to Jamestown Lincoln Elementary School.  He graduated from Jamestown High School in 1958. He attended Jamestown College in Jamestown, ND. Milton married Mary...

Roger Wallace Johnson passed away Sat., Jan. 4th, at 93 years. Born in Chisholm, MN in 1926. Served in the US Army 1945-46; stationed in Sendai, Japan. Married Irene May Peterson on Sept. 3, 1949. Graduated U of MN Institute of Technology. Worked for Electromotive, LaGrange, IL; transferred to General Motors Tech Center, Warren, MI as senior manager staff engineer. Retired to Ely in 1981. Supervisor Fall Lake Township Board. Chair Ely Area Ambulance Study Committee. Drafted re-design layout...

John Chester Ojala, 89, of Ely, passed away on January 1, 2020 at his home, Chester was born on February 14, 1930 to Taito and Esther (Riikola) Ojala. He worked in the "bullgang" at Reserve Mining in Babbitt and was married to Kathryn Koski on June 8, 1963. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Marge and Ardis and brother: Bill. He's survived by his wife: Kathryn, son: Jon, nieces: Colleen and Cheryl and nephew: Dan. As per Chester's wishes, there will be no...

Katherine Ann (Rauscher) Scheuer, 88, died peacefully on December 21, 2019 at home in Ely, Minnesota.   She was born October 1, 1931 in International Falls, Minnesota to Gretchen and Nicholas Rauscher.   She graduated from International Falls High School and attended the  College of St. Teresa in Winona earning a B.S. degree in business.   Katherine met and married Robert Scheuer while working as a social worker for Aitkin County.   Katherine and Bob moved to Ely...

Robert G. Kish, 71, of Ely Lake, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Bernard Passananti, 63, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, December 23, 2019 at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely.  Bernard is survived by his four siblings, John (Carole) of Tucson, Arizona; Stan (Joyce) of Ely, MN; Carol (Pat) Coffen of Lake Tomahawk, WI; Joan (Richard) Angiliri of Woodruff, WI. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rose Passananti and brother Frank. He was a man with unparalleled carpentry skills and a brilliant mind. He was an inventor devising...