Obituaries: April 10, 2026

Val S. Cook
Val “Buzz” Stowe Cook, 94, of the Ranier Roost, died on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Rainy Lake Medical Center, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held for both Buzz and Marilyn at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A light lunch will be served immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations to Calvary Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice are preferred. The family would like to thank the Ranier Roost and Rainy Lake Medical Center for the care and compassion shown for Buzz and Marilyn. Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary, Inc. of International Falls.
Val was born on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, 1932, in Rat Root Township, to Peter and Edith Stowe Cook. Buzz graduated from Orr High School and later joined the United States Army until he was honorably discharged. Buzz wed the love of his life, Marilyn Janine Johnson, in 1955 and moved to Orr, where they managed the Orr Motel before moving 22 miles north to work for the Cook family live bait business known as Cold Springs. It was here where they opened a retail bait store, gift shop and gas station, later adding a deer farm. Cold Springs was well known in the area for their hospitality, live deer, baked goods and ice cream. Buzz and Marilyn officially retired in 2022.
Buzz loved to hunt and fish in the woods surrounding their home and at their cabin on Ash Lake. He loved his vegetable and flower gardens; roses were his favorite. Buzz was a skilled carpenter and taught those skills to his children. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Buzz is survived by his children, Tim (Linette) Cook of Eagle River, Alaska, Debbie (Don) Eickhoff of Rochester, David (Tammy Wood) Cook of International Falls, Jack (Tammy) Cook of Ranier and John (Beth) Cook of Orr; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Edith; wife, Marilyn in 2023; brothers, William “Bill” and Philip “Phil” Cook; sister, Pauline Kelsch; and grandson, Alex Cook.

Joan E. Hoheisel
Joan Evelyn “Joanie” Bauer Hoheisel, 86, longtime resident of Babbitt, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at The Glenn of Buffalo Memory Care Facility after her long battle with dementia. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 
She is survived by her four children, Mary (Brian) Preusser of St. Cloud, Paul (Cathy Bissonette) Hoheisel of Babbitt, Patricia (Brad) Butkowski of St. Michael and Robert (Lynn Kegler) Hoheisel of Zimmerman; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Kathleen P. Weaver
Kathleen “Kathy” Patti Burns Weaver, 84, of Virginia and Pike River-Tower, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026, in Duluth. A celebration of life will held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Virginia. A luncheon gathering will follow the service. The family asks that memorial gifts or donations be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
She is survived by her children, Jeff (Janet) Weaver, Dan (Amy) Weaver and Greg (Annie) Weaver; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother, Tim (Nancy) Burns; and many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins.

Peggy A. Koschak
Peggy Ann Peterson Koschak, 74, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A special thank you to the team at Essentia Health in Duluth for their exemplary care. Services were held on Saturday, April 4 at United Methodist Church of Ely. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.  
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Robert “Bob”; daughter, Melissa (Dwayne) Chapman of Big Lake, Alaska; son, Justin Koschak of Virginia; grandchildren, Elliott, Nora, Spencer, Rachel and Rebecca; siblings, Danny Peterson, Jeannie Franklin, Paula (Nick) Mattila, Clyde (Karin) Peterson and Jim (Sue) Peterson; and many nieces and nephews.

Gary E. Larson 
Gary Eugene Larson, 89, of Folly Beach, S.C., and Burntside Lake-Ely, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 2, 2026. He requested that no service be held. The family plans to hold a celebration of life in Ely this summer. Donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union or the American Heart Association.
He is survived by the love of his life, Patricia; son, Gregg (Chris); stepsons, John, Ryan and Sean Keller; grandchildren, Elisabeth and Eric Larson, John, Jameson, Graham, Amelia, Vinnie and Lydia Keller; and nephew, Jacques (Carrie) Larson.