FRANK J AKINS

Frank Jerome Akins, 86, formerly of Ely, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 31, 2021 at Vermillion Senior Living in Tower, MN. 

He was born May 4, 1935 in Duluth, MN to Herbert and Angela (Deyak) Akins. Frank attended high school in Two Harbors and Ely, graduating in 1954 from Ely High School. On June 22, 1957 he married Josephine Zaic. 

Frank went on to work for Reserve Mining Company in Babbitt, MN as a blaster from 1955-1986 and LTV Steel from 1988-1997. In-between jobs he taught driver’s training and drove school bus and also coached girls basketball.

Frank and his father Herb picked pine boughs and Josephine made wreaths for 20 years every fall. Frank and Josephine also delivered the Minneapolis Star Tribune and USA Today to local stores in the Ely area. 

Frank is survived by his children Doreen Lewis (the late Thomas Lewis) of Melbourne, FL, Frank Akins (the late Shelley Akins) of Soudan, MN, and Mary Jo (Todd) Romanoski of Hudson, WI; nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. 

He was preceded in death by his father Herbert Akins Sr., mother Angela (Deyak) Akins, wife Josephine (Zaic) Akins and brother Herbert Akins Jr.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held one half hour prior to the service at the church. 

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

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