Obituaries: August 1, 2025

Grant C. Hughes Jr.
Grant Conrad Hughes Jr., 83, of Lake Vermilion-Cook, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at his home on the lake after a fight with cancer. A celebration of Grant’s life will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10 at the Cook Community Center. Donations may be made in his name to the Heiam Foundation which benefits the Cook Hospital. Grant was born on Nov. 20, 1941, to Grant Hughes Sr. and Marion Barrett Hughes of Edina. He was a baby brother to Gayle Hughes Hautman, Tom Hughes and Terry Hughes. Grant attended Our Lady of Grace Elementary School, followed by St. Thomas Military Academy and St. Thomas College. The Hughes family spent summers at their island on Lake Vermilion where Grant enjoyed fishing, guiding, water-skiing, and working as a dock boy. Playing hockey was a big part of Grant’s school life; he played for St. Thomas College and was even recruited by the North Stars. After college, Grant bought a farm and showed quarter horses while beginning a career in management at Dayton’s Department Store where he met the love of his life, Judy Hensel Hughes. Grant married Judy on Sept. 15, 1971, in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Together they purchased Muskego Point Resort (formerly Goodwill Landing) and raised their daughters Jennifer and Stephanie. They made wonderful lifelong friends and shared the Lake Vermilion experience with so many. Grant’s love of fishing grew and eventually landed him on the cover of the first-ever In Fisherman magazine, making Muskego Point a destination for fishermen from all over. Grant helped to manage and protect the lake that he loved so much. Jenny and her husband Joe Stanaway, with son Blake and his wife Emily Stanaway, continue the legacy at Muskego Point Resort. Grant enjoyed fishing, guiding, golfing, gardening, carpentry, chainsaw carving, snowmobiling, boats, cars, and coaching volleyball. Stephanie and her husband Willie Stokes spend summers on Lake Vermilion with their daughters and granddaughters, Rachael, Will, Amelia and Audrey Lipsey, Sarah Pouliot, and Katie Pouliot. Grant coached the varsity girls volleyball team in Cook while his daughter Jenny was in high school and he eventually led them to win the State Tournament. He was so proud of his Lady Gophers. Grant and Judy escaped the cold for a few months each winter on the island of Kauai where they fell in love with flowers and gardening. They nurtured this love of gardening, and their island is nothing short of spectacular. Grant was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, friend, and mentor, and has impacted so many lives. He will be missed.
Grant is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters, Stephanie Hughes Stokes and husband Willie Stokes, Jenny Hughes Stanaway and husband Joe Stanaway; granddaughters, Rachael (Will) Lipsey, Sarah Pouliot and Katie Pouliot; grandson, Blake (Emily) Stanaway; great-granddaughters, Amelia and Audrey Lipsey; and brother, Terry (Camilla) Hughes.

John P. Zavodnick
John P. Zavodnick, 82, of Spooner, Wis., formerly of the Twin Cities, retiring in Spooner, passed away peacefully at home July 20, 2025. Services will be at Trinity Lutheran Church, Spooner, Aug. 1, beginning with visitation at 11 a.m., with service at 12 p.m., luncheon to follow.  Interment at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 2 p.m. He was born Aug. 9, 1942 in Soudan, son of John and Sophie Zavodnick. He graduated from Tower-Soudan High School, Ely Junior College, and University of Minnesota- Duluth.  John graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1968. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Armor Branch, in the U.S. Army and the Minnesota National Guard, rising to LTC spanning 22 years. He was employed by Duluth News Tribune as National Advertising Manager in 1970, moving with Knight-Ridder Newspapers to the Metro area of the Twin Cities in 1976.  A devoted father, loving husband, John’s unique sense of humor drew friends to enjoy fishing in Canada, camping in the Boundary Waters, skiing with family, time at the cabin he built in Northern Minnesota, riding his motorcycle in Alaska and his UTV in Wisconsin. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rolling Hills Snowmobile and ATV Club. He is survived by his loving wife, Gwendolyn Zavodnick; three children, Matthew Zavodnick of Rogers, Michele Purcell of Otsego, Mindy Stollenwerk of St. Michael; 5 grandchildren, Jakson, AJ, Taylor, Anni, Amelia, 2 bonus grandsons Ethan and Owen; two sisters, Deb Devaney (Steve) of Mora, Carol McLees of Watauga, Texas; six nephews, one niece and cousins. John was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Rosemary (Raymond) Stefanich and Teresa (Bob) Stefanich. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Union Gospel Mission, Duluth, or Trinity Lutheran Church, Spooner. Online memories and or condolences may be left at www.bratley-nelsonchapels. com.

Marsha D. Banovetz
Marsha D. Banovetz, 85, of Ely, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2025, at M Hospital Fairview Southdale in Edina.  Two celebrations of life will occur. A memorial service will be held at noon on Friday, Aug. 1 at Mueller Memorial in St. Paul with visitation one hour prior and a reception to follow. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Lunch will be served at the church immediately following the service. Interment will be at the Ely Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the American Heart Association. She is survived by brother, Franklin (Linda) Banovetz; nieces and nephews, Martha Glum, Michael (Angela) Glum, Jennifer (Paul) Banovetz-Bastian and David (Kelly) Banovetz; great-niece and great-nephew, Leigha Glum and Zachary Glum; and many cousins and friends.  

 Donald J. DeBeltz Sr.
Donald J. DeBeltz Sr., 84, of Ely, a proud U.S. Army veteran, passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely, surrounded by his family. The family would like to thank Dr. James Montana, Dr. Erik Peterson, and the East Range Hospice Team for their wonderful care. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior. Interment will be after the service with military honors. Donations to the Veterans on the Lake, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, or the NRE Swim Team are preferred. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home. He is survived by his wife, Janice Pucel of Ely; children, Dr. Donald J. (Marian) DeBeltz of Grand Forks, N.D., Daniel G. (Jennifer) DeBeltz of Knoxville, Md., Carrie (Marc) Hanson of Ely, and Dean (Cheri) DeBeltz of Ely; 11 grandchildren; great-grandson and best buddy, Jukka Ojala; stepchildren, Jodi (Bucky) Phelps of Virginia, Joe (Heidi) Pucel of Inver Grove Heights, Jim Pucel and Jamie Pucel, both of Virginia; 10 step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and longtime friends.

 Christopher L. Adams
Christopher Lee “Chris” Adams, 40, of Hibbing, died on Monday, July 21, 2025, at Waterview Woods in Eveleth. A wake was held on Thursday, July 24, and Tribal Rites were held on Friday, July 25, both at the Bois Forte Tribal Government Center in Nett Lake. Ricky DeFoe was the Spiritual Advisor. His family gives special thanks for the staff and administration at the Range Center; and his caregivers at Mapleview and Heritage ESI. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. He is survived by his siblings, Daniel Adams, Reed Johnson, Russell Johnson, and Jodi Antell; guardian, Randy Adams; uncles, Vern Adams and Les Adams; aunt, Sherrie Adams; many cousins, including favorite cousin, Jordan Adams; and numerous extended family members and friends.

Susan C. Miklavcich
Susan Carol “Skeeter” Miklavcich, 82, of Ely, formerly of Silver Bay, beloved daughter, mother and friend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 17, 2025. A celebration of life was held at the United Protestant Church in Silver Bay on Saturday, July 26. Burial was in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements were with Cavallin Funeral Home of Two Harbors. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Susan Miklavcich and Julie Miklavcich.

Gordon Franks
Gordon Franks, 87, of Ely, passed away peacefully William J. Tulla William Joseph “Bill” Tulla, 73, of Ely, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, July 27, 2025. At his request there will be no funeral service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral of Ely. at home on Thursday, July 17, 2025, with his beloved wife Audrey by his side. The family would like to recognize Hospice Dr. Peterson, Dr. Schwinghamer, RN Lori Dubbin, Hospice RN Joanna Leno, Carefree RN Briita Noyes, and all the direct care resident assistants who took care of Gordy over the last several years. Their steadfast devotion to his care and comfort was greatly appreciated. A celebration of Gordy’s life will be held in the fall in Ely. Donations can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are with Peterson Funeral Chapel of Coleraine. He is survived by his devoted wife, Audrey Franks of Ely; children, David (Arline) Franks of Ely, Donald Franks of Ohio, Lynn Franks of Ely, Dean (Karen) Franks of Duluth, and Dale Franks of Ely; 12 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and cousin, Dean (Terri) Franks of Palo Cedro, Calif.

Darrel F. Johnson
 Darrel F. Johnson, 91, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, July 26, 2025 in Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Contributions to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Babbitt are preferred. Arrangements are with Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. He is survived by his son, Christopher (Frederick Hess); sister, LaDonna Lilleodden of New Ulm; brother, Randy (Bette) Johnson of Maplewood; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Wendy Johnson, Stacy, Kelly and Jim Zupancich Sr., Jimmy and Andrea Zupancich family.

William J. Tulla
William Joseph “Bill” Tulla, 73, of Ely, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, July 27, 2025. At his request there will be no funeral service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral of Ely.
He is survived by his loving wife, Roxanne; son, Deven; daughter, Fawna Berger (Sam); grandchildren, Ian and Emma; brother, Greg (Jodie); sisters, Connie and Linda Carlson (Tim); along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and dear friends.

Rudy Scufsa
Rudy Scufsa, 78, of Winton, passed away in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, July 19, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at the Winton Community Building from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30. Alcohol free. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sue; son, Michael; daughters, Wendy Varey (son-in-law of the heart Tom Meyers); and Amy (Bob) Kellogg; daughter-in-law, Denise Scufsa; grandchildren, Adam Meyers and Clayton Varey of Babbitt, Kali, Brady, Parker and Reese Scufsa of Fargo, Cole and Courtney Kellogg (future grandson-in-law Marshall Murphy) of Minneapolis; great-granddaughter, Kiley Hill of Hibbing; brother, Bernie (Donna) of Cottage Grove; brothersin-law and sisters-in-law; several nieces and nephews who were a huge part of his heart and life; and special cousin, Dolly Shober.