Obituaries: August 7, 2020

Onnalee A. Graham
Onnalee A. Graham, 88, of Ely, died of natural causes on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A memorial art show of “Waterworks by Onnalee” is planned for the summer of 2021.
Onnalee was born on Aug. 11, 1931, in Rochester, N.Y., to Dorothy and Victor Bergseth. She grew up in Minneapolis, where she lived with her husband and family for most of her life. In 2009, she moved to Ely to enjoy her retirement years closer to her two daughters.
A prolific and award-winning watercolorist, Onnalee enjoyed both painting and teaching throughout her life. Onnalee’s work was a fixture at Ely’s Blueberry/Art Festival for over a decade (1996-2007). Onnalee enjoyed conversation, music, and every dog she ever shared her life with.
Onnalee is survived by her two daughters, Robyn Bertelsen of Ely and Valerie Carlson of Encinitas, Calif.; two granddaughters, Kasey Bertelsen and Abby Carlson; and two great-grandchildren, Wesley and Coraline Lisk.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Lynn Norwood.  

Joanne K. Thompson
Joanne K. Mattson Thompson, 80, of Lino Lakes, formerly of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2020, at Lino Lakes Assisted Living. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 10 at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt with Pastor Erik Roth officiating. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her daughter, Jodi (Shane) Johnson of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Griffin and Gabriel Johnson of Maple Grove; sister, Linda (Bruce) Goodnough of Phillips, Wis.; sister-in-law, Linda Mattson of Shoreview; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Kathy Thompson of Ely; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Victor Tellez of Johnson City, Texas; sister-in-law, Maxine Swenson of Foley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Beverly Lewis
Beverly Lewis, 94, of Ely, passed away at her residence on Thursday, July 30, 2020. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Darrell D. Williams
Darrell Dean Williams, 52, of Embarrass, died on Friday, July 17, 2020, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
He is survived by his wife, Christina Vancamp Williams; children, Loni Jean, Sheena and Drake Williams; granddaughters; mother, Arvilla Elg; brothers, Kenny Hendricks, George Williams and Dale Williams; sisters, Betty Burke and Pam Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Benjamin R. Kaiser
Benjamin R. Kaiser, 37, of Gilbert, died on Monday, March 30, 2020, from injuries sustained in a utility side-by-side vehicle accident near his home. A memorial service was held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Friday, July 31 with Rev. Father Brandon Moravitz as celebrant. Inurnment followed in the Eveleth Cemetery on the Matos family plot with his grandmother. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his children, Joseph, Jack and Sophie, who reside with their mother, Katie, in Eveleth; parents, Bob and Theresa of Crane Lake; sister, Megan (James) Devine of Ely; niece and nephews, Zoe, Otto, Wyatt and Boden of Ely; aunt, Barbra Kaiser of Virginia; uncles, Bill Kaiser of Woodbury and Bill Matos of Eveleth; and cousin, Ashley Leonard of Waconia.