Obituaries - Apr. 27, 2018

George R. Walker

George Robert Walker, 84, passed away on Thursday, April 19, 2018. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 27 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Frank Perkovich celebrating. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 26 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert and will continue one hour prior to Mass at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Gilbert VFW. Inurnment will be at a later date.

George was born on March 26, 1934, to Hazelle (Dooley) and Ralph Walker, at home, on the family farm in Clearwater. He was the oldest of their five children. His family moved around but settled in Duluth, where he attended Duluth East High School. After graduating from East in 1953, he worked at Inter-Lakes Steamship on the ore boats. He was then hired by Northwestern Bell but was drafted into the Army on May 20, 1956. He served two years in the U.S. Army and was formally discharged from the reserves in 1962.

After his two-year Army stint, he returned to work for Northwestern Bell in Duluth. He met and married the love of his life, Nina, in Virginia in 1959. They had four beautiful daughters, and he always said he would “Never trade them for anything!” In 1978 his job with the telephone company brought him to Gilbert, where he and Nina lived for 39 years. He retired from Northwestern Bell in 1986 but stayed busy as a realtor until Nina’s retirement in 2000.

George enjoyed hunting, walleye fishing, Lake Vermilion, golf, and watching sports, especially hockey. He coached and refereed hockey in Duluth and was instrumental in starting the Spirit of Duluth Hockey Tournament. He was a UMD Hockey supporter for 40 years and was very happy to see his favorite team take first place in the NCAA Frozen Four. He belonged to the Telephone Pioneers and regularly attended the Pioneer Retiree events. After his retirement, he and Nina spent winters in Winter Haven, Fla., enjoying the weather, playing golf, and socializing with many friends. He always said, “I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family,” and was always ready with a smile, a hug, and a “smooch.”

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nina (Kennedy) Walker; daughters, Cathy Bianchet, Colleen (Jerry) Wallis, Wendy (Michael) Wells and Jill (Timothy) Lekatz; grandchildren, Sarah Bianchet, Joe Bianchet, Megan (Tim) Zubich, Mara Wallis, Paige Wallis, Kylie (Jacob) Krugen, Matthew (Christine) Lekatz and Andrew Lekatz; great-grandsons, his “little buddy” Avery Zubich and two-week-old Rayden Krugen; siblings, Dean (Jean) Walker, Duane (JoAnn) Walker and Iona (Kenneth) Erickson; sisters-in-law, Linda Walker and Patricia Briggs; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hazelle (Dooley) and Ralph Walker; brother, Thomas Walker; son-in-law, Michael Bianchet; and other extended family and friends.

Garry D. Ragle

Garry Dale “Rags’’ Ragle, 66, of Makinen, died on Friday, April 20, 2018, at his home. A private interment will be held at a later date. In honor of Garry, please do an unexpected and unsolicited act of kindness for some unfortunate soul.

He is survived by his mother, Grace of Aurora; sisters, Cecilia (Bob) Croteau of Biwabik and Christy Mesojedec (Pete Bradach) of Embarrass; stepson, Steven Cvek of Stillwater; nephew, Michael Lusk of Lakeland; niece, Celene (Eric) Butler; grandniece, Alanna and grandnephews, Brent, Dylan and Beau, all of Hoyt Lakes.

Julieta R. Kramer

Julieta Reyes Bucao Kramer, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, April 20, 2018, at her residence with her family by her side. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, April 24 at St. Pius X Church with Fr. Bill Skarich officiating. Burial was at the Waasa Cemetery. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

She is survived her husband, John C. Kramer of Babbitt; children, John Kramer (Elizabeth Rudd) of Esko, Jason (Amy) Kramer of Blaine and Jessica (Jason) Odella of Hoyt Lakes; grandchildren, Zach, Johnna, Dylan, Gianna, Niklas, Grace and Elsie; and great-grandson, Beau.

Jean M. Larson

Jean M. “Dolly” Grant Larson, 82, passed away on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at the Boundary Waters Care Center (BWCC) in Ely. Her family would like to thank the staff at BWCC and Hospice for her comfortable care the past 13 months. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

She is survived by her husband, Clary Larson; children, Gary (Margie), Robert (Barbara), Diane and Mary Kay; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Grant; numerous nieces and nephews; and cherished friends, Helen Huovinen and Janice Harris.