Frank E. Connor

Frank E. Connor, 52, of Orr, passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Nett Lake Baptist Church. Rev. Kevin Lasley was the officiant. The casket bearers were Mike Connor, Allen “Buzz” Connor, Vern Connor, Paul Connor, Chester Graue, Michael Agustin “Lito” Connor and Emiliano Connor. Interment was in the Connor family cemetery in Nett Lake. Arrangements were with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Frank was born on Oct. 25, 1956, to Lafayette and Ruth (Day) Connor in Littlefork. He grew up in the traditional portion of the Bois Forte Reservation, near Highway 65. He knew and loved that woods area, a place where he often hunted and walked. His family fondly recalls that he knew where every blueberry patch was located. He had a great appreciation for that area, its history and people. He went to school at Nett Lake, Orr, Rainy River Community College, and obtained a bachelor’s degree at Bemidji State University. He married Charlotte A. Noack on July 20, 1996, at Merrillan, Wis.

Frank worked with Human Services programs at the Bois Forte Reservation. He was a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and had a keen interest in Tribal politics and government. He enjoyed the outdoors – especially hunting and fishing, listening to music, and keeping up with his favorite football teams. He was a talented guitar player, and loved the old classic country style of music. He was also skilled at auto maintenance and repairs, and like the challenge of playing board games or cribbage. Frank enjoyed telling stories to his friends and relatives of his experiences. He had a strong faith in God and was a member of the Nett Lake Baptist Church. The pride and joy of his life was his precious daughter, Hannah.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; daughter, Hannah, at home; one sister, Carol (Earl) Chico of Bemidji, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Les, Kenneth and Lafayette Connor.

Jule B. Foster

Jule B. Foster, 73, of Isabella, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, with his family by his side. A celebration of his life was held on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Isabella Community Building in Isabella.

He was born in Eidswold, Wis., on Feb. 6, 1936, to Joe and Clara Foster of Jump River, Wis. Jule was raised on his family farm and moved to Minnesota in April 1956. He then began a life of truck driving and started Jule Foster Logging in 1961, which is still in operation today. He married Mary Hanninen in 1963. In 1966 they purchased the Happy Wanderer Lodge in Isabella which they operated for several years.

Jule was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend who will be sadly missed by all.

Jule is survived by his wife, Mary; eight children, Terry (Diane) Foster of Ogema, Wis., Neva (Dan) Boxx of Medford, Wis., Gary (Allan) Foster of Atlanta, Ga., Jackie (Kelly) Jackson of Two Harbors, Joe (Tina) Foster of Isabella, Louise MacMillan of Ely, and Raeann (Andy) Debeltz and Roberta (Danny) Johnson, both of Isabella; his mother Clara of Jump River, Wis.; brothers, Rich (Dotty) Foster of Inver Grove Heights and Tom (Jan) Foster of Isabella; sisters, Mary (Mickey) Burton of Jump River, Wis., and Lois (Bob) Pelto of Two Harbors; and sister-in-law, Phyllis Foster of Isabella.

He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Troy (Emily), Todd (Amy), Derek (Casey), Travis, Lisa, Josh, Curt (Emily), Zachery, Jessica (James), Michael (Meghan), Jenn, Sarah, Joe, Brooke, Joseph, Emma and Jory; great-grandchildren, Tia, Trey, Charlie, Henry, Braden, Ayriel, Leah, Jocelyn, Ethan, Paiten, Austin and one on the way; special friends, Allan (Linda) Mosher and Prisilla (Arnold) Westlund; and many special nieces, nephews and friends.

Jule was preceded in death by his daughter, Carrie on Aug. 28, 1970; father, Joe on Oct. 5, 1970; brother, Joe on Oct. 10, 2006; and grandson, Chad Mostrm on Sept. 11, 2005.

Alvin Pedersen

Alvin Pedersen, 102, of Cook, former longtime resident of Silverdale, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the Cook Nursing Home. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Rev. Reuben Rosnau will be the officiant. Interment will be in the Silverdale Cemetery.

He is survived by a son, Roy (Kathleen Snell) Pedersen of Cook; a daughter, Vivian Manick of Virginia; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Reeny Sershen Dodge

Reeny Sershen Dodge, 59, of Ishpeming, Mich., formerly of Virginia, died on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at Miller Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia. The Rev. Gabriel Waweru officiated. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share personal remembrances of Reeny online, please see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Survivors include her husband, Roger, his children, Steven (Pam) and their son Jacob, David (Kathy) and their sons Nathan and Joshua, and Chris (Tom) Oates and their daughters Nicole and Natalie; a son, Yaga (Mamarie Cah) Saine and their boys Yusupha and Momodou; a brother, Fred Sershen of Anoka and his children Paul and Brenda; a sister, Mary (Mike) Richard of Lake Vermilion-Tower and their children Jennifer (Kevin) Fischer, Thomas and Benjamin Fischer, and Megan (Bradley) Redmond and their girls Grace and Hanna.

Helmer Lepisto

Helmer Lepisto, 96, of Virginia, was called home to his Lord on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at the St. Michael’s Health and Rehab Center of Virginia. Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 18 at the First Lutheran Church in Ely. The Rev. John Bonk and Pastor Brad Felix officiated. Burial was in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements were with Range Funeral home of Virginia.

He is survived by his nieces, Darlene (Duane) Mackie of Babbitt, Judy Rudman of Duluth, Cheryl (Daryl) Lamppa of Tower, Nancy (Scott) Templeton of Aurora; nephews, Leslie (Jolie) Lepisto of Big Falls, Paul (Carol) Lepisto of Ely and Walter (Audrey) Lepisto of Cambridge; and several other nieces and nephews through marriage.

Joseph Musich

Joseph “Corky” Musich, 93, of Virginia, passed away on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. Funeral services were held on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Burial was in the Ely Cemetery. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Joe is survived by his two daughters, Josette (Gene) Kotchevar and Rosemary Musich; three grandchildren, Joleen (Darren) Hart, Michael (Sue) Kotchevar and Joel Kotchevar; three great-grandchildren, Jenna and Logan Gradisher and Evan Kotchevar; and one brother, Lawrence Musich.

David E. Berglund

David E. Berglund, 75, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, Sept.16 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely, with the Rev. William Fossum officiating. Burial was in Evergreen Cemetery in Afton. Arrangements were with the Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

Mollie C. Klun

Mollie Catherine Klun, 91, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at the Ely Bloomenson Nursing Home. Funeral services were held on Monday, Sept. 14 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Memorials may be sent to Friends of the Library and Northern Hospice Respite Partners. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by Shirley Riemer, Gary (Lorraine) Klun, Rosemary (James) Carpenter, James (Jody) Klun and Leonard (DeAnn) Klun; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; her loyal niece and friend Antoinette Hokkanen; Clair Banks and numerous nieces and nephews.

Milton M. Thoren

Milton Mathew Thoren, 81, of Langdon, N.D., formerly of Park Rapids and Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, N.D.

Survivors include his loving wife, Marge; his children, Connie (Alan) Herrud of Langdon, N.D., Jerry (Gerry) Thoren of Ely, Sue (Mick) Danisch of North Oaks and Larry (Lynne) Thoren of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Beverly Younce of Indiana.

Ruth M. Wik Saari

Ruth Margareta Wik Saari, 87, of Ely, died on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, at the Spectrum Memory Care Unit in Ely. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept.12 at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Ruth is survived by four children, LeVuo (Rollins) Juhnke of St. Paul, Vicki (Dick) Hall of Ely, Tom (Mary) Saari of Little Falls and Steve (Kris) Saari of Esko.