Wesley P. Anderson

Wesley Paul Anderson, 75, of Lake Vermilion, Soudan and Hugo, died on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, at his home in Hugo. He passed away peacefully, with his wife at his side, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Memorial services and celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Soudan with Pastor Berhanu Alengo officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

Wesley was born on July 3, 1939, in Soudan, the son of Gunnard and Elsie (Williams) Anderson. He grew up in Tower-Soudan where he graduated from high school. Wesley obtained a degree in pre-Engineering from Ely Junior College. Although his athletic and academic achievements gained him admission to the newly-established Unites States Air Force Academy, he chose to continue his studies at the University of Minnesota’s School of Engineering, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962.

Wesley was united in marriage to Sharon Rose on Aug. 3, 1963, in Sauk Centre. They lived in Forest Lake from 1964 until 1971 when they moved to New York. They returned to Minnesota in 1976, where they lived for 13 years, until they moved to Brussels, Belgium, for Wesley’s work. Wesley and Sharon remained in Belgium for five years, retuning to Woodbury in 1992. They moved to Vadnais Heights in 1993 and lived there until 2000. Following retirement, Wesley spent his time between Hugo and Soudan, while he built his home on Lake Vermilion.

Wesley worked for 3M for 38 years as a Mechanical Engineer, traveling to every continent except Antarctica, while solving problems and promoting manufacturing quality through 3M’s plants worldwide. He was a formidable figure in 3M’s international operations, causing at least one plant manager to run down the halls crying out, “Wes Anderson is coming, Wes Anderson is coming!” After retirement, he continued to serve in advisory roles for both 3M and international aid agencies, even going to Egypt shortly after 9/11 to volunteer his expertise to a manufacturing operation in Cairo.

During his travels abroad, Wesley gained a great appreciation of the differences and achievements of different cultures, especially their cuisines and wines. He took great interest in bringing his love of fine food to his family, going so far as to import seeds and grow his own Italian herbs.

In his retirement, Wesley became very active in the Tower-Soudan communities where he rekindled old friendships, became active again in his childhood church, St. Paul’s Lutheran, and was given the honor of serving as Master of Ceremonies for the Vermilion Range Old Settlers Association’s celebration on July 19, 2014.

Wesley loved his family and was very proud of the achievements of his children. He built his lake home so his children would have a legacy in Tower-Soudan and on Lake Vermilion, where he enjoyed a lifetime of fishing, hunting, and looking out on the lake.

Wesley is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sharon Anderson of Hugo, two children, Kraig Anderson of Burlingame, Calif., and Karen (Aaron) McCarty of Belle Plaine; two grandchildren, Tor Anderson and Aveline Anderson; brothers, Donald (Tiff) Hill, Halvor (Buddy) Hill, George (Carol) Anderson and Richard Anderson; sisters, June Silverthorn, Diane Mega and Sally Niemi.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, William Hill and Rodney Anderson.

Flora M. Erickson

Flora Mae Erickson, 82, of Babbitt, died on Saturday, Sept. 13, 20014, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. The family would like to thank the First Responders of Babbitt, the ER staff of Ely Bloomenson Hospital, and the Medivac staff of Essentia Health St. Mary’s for the kind and compassionate care Flora received. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 2 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt, with visitation taking place one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements are with Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by her daughter, Sherian (Jeff); son, Douglas; brother, Charles (Marsha) Kibbler; nephews, Wade (Jennifer) Kibbler, and Chad (Tandy) Kibbler; and numerous other relatives.

Dale F. Loushin

Dale F. Loushin, 65, of Duluth, formerly of Ely, died on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, with his loving family by his side. Visitation will be held from 2 p.m. until the 3 p.m. memorial service on Friday, Sept. 19 in the Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth. Arrangements are by Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth.

He is survived by his children, Lisa (Travas Aker) Loushin of Eau Claire, Wis., Mark Loushin and Becky Loushin, both of Duluth; grandson, Noah; sisters, Darlene and Diane; and numerous other family members and friends.

Jon D. Folz Sr.

Jon David Folz Sr., 80, of Ely, died on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, at Evergreen Terrace in Grand Rapids with his family by his side. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, Sept. 20 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Arrangements are by Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids.

Jon is survived by his children, Barbara Folz of Blaine, Ginny (Brian) Anderson, Joan (Peter) Weckman and Jon Folz Jr., all of Ely, Carrie (Efren) Cazares of Hillsboro, Ore., Jamie (Russell Lende Jr.) Folz of Vernonia, Ore., and Kathleen (David) Folz-Hood, of Aloha, Ore.; grandchildren, Jeff (Jason Vincent) Anderson, Jill (Scott) Meldahl, Kristin (Mike Vieau) Anderson, Josh Weckman, Naomi Weckman, Seth Weckman, Jennifer (Aaron) Folz Monson, Megan Peura, Brandon Peura, Erin Peura, Paula (Reggie) Wideman, Amanda McGee and Zach Hood; great-grandchildren, Makayla, Evelyn, Scarlett, Davey, Conner, Bella and Mia; numerous nieces and nephews; brothers, James (Lorene Pucel) Folz of Tequesta, Fla., and Jacob (Lois) Folz of Haddock, Wash.; special sister-in-law, Karon (Richard) Mobilia of Ely; and close family friends, Sharon and Jeff Rome of Rochester.