Anton John Golobich

Anton J. ‘Tony’ Golobich, 95, of Ely died peacefully on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Boundary Waters Care Center, one week after the passing of his beloved wife, Angie.  

He was born on May 11, 1923 in Ely to Steve and Katherine (Jaketic) Golobich and graduated from Ely Memorial High School, class of 1941.  During high school he was a ski jumper with the Ely Ski Club.  Tony also became a skilled woodsman and trapper who understood animals and their movements.  He was accomplished at finding his way in the woods, outsmarting wolves, fox, lynx, mink and beaver, especially during the Minnesota State “bounty” trapping years.  He loved the outdoors and spent as much time as possible trapping and hunting or with a ‘line in the water’ on the Kawishiwi River and other area lakes.

Tony was an Army veteran of World War II, having served from May 1943 through January 1946 in the Pacific Theatre on New Guinea and in the Philippine Islands.  He had been a member oflocal VFW Post #2717.

Following military service, Tony returned home, met and married Angie Vertnik on September 30, 1947.  Together they had three children, Roberta, Gerald and Russell.  He worked in logging and construction, operated a mink farm south of Ely for a short time, and then became a miner, initially at the Zenith underground mine for 10 years, and later at Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt as a “bull gang” maintenance mechanic for the next 24 years, until his retirement in 1985.  

Tony was a hardworking man who set a good example, was mechanically inclined, and enjoyed listening to area button box players and polka dancing with Angie during their 71 years of marriage.  

Tony is survived by his children Robbie Golobich of Wayzata, Gerry (Mary Lynn) Golobich of Mt. Iron, Russ (Sue) Golobich of Coon Rapids; grandchildren Jennifer (Chris) DeChantal of Maple Grove, Steven (Jill) Golobich of Duluth, Travis (fiancé Samantha) Golobich of Fargo, ND, and Brent Golobich of Coon Rapids; and nieces and nephews.  

Tony was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brother SteveGolobich and sister Kay Klabe.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at BWCC for the many years of wonderful care and recent additional care by Essentia East Range Hospice.  

A funeral mass will be held Thursday, November 8, 2018 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely at 11:00 am with visitation one hour prior.  Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery.  Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anton John Golobich, please visit our floral store.