Obituaries: February 13, 2026

John H. “Jack” Johnson, 96, entered a wonderful new life on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia with visitation one hour prior to the Mass. Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Virginia at a later date. Memorials are preferred to Marquette School, 1301 W Chestnut St., Virginia, MN 55792. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

He was born on Jan. 11, 1930, in St. Paul, to parents John G. and Veronica Murphy Johnson. In 1936 his family moved to Morgan Park in Duluth, later moving north to Virginia. Jack graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1947 and attended Virginia Junior College. He then graduated from UMD in 1952. While at UMD, he trained in the USAF ROTC and worked for Standard Oil and married his “Northside Sweetheart,” Lorraine Lanari on June 9, 1951. Upon commissioning, Jack served two years on active duty and several years in the Reserves.

Jack returned to work for Standard Oil. The Johnsons then moved to the Midway addition in Virginia where Jack was employed with the then start-up Northern Engine Supply Company until he became an agent for the State Farm Insurance Company, where he worked for 31 years. The Johnson family was blessed with five children. Lorraine died in 1975 as the result of a brain tumor.

In the years that followed, Jack was blessed to be introduced to Joan Barnhart Cress, and they married on Dec. 28, 1982. Joan added her seven children, and their marriage was blessed with a family of 12 children, which grew into 33 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren. Jack and Joan moved from Midway to Ely Lake where they lived for 31 years, followed by a move to Mt. Iron where Joan passed away in April 2022.

Jack is survived by children, Sue (Dale) Smith, Brad (Denise) Johnson, Lynn (James) Sunsdahl, Gayle (Leonard) Williams and Nancy (Mark) Anderson; stepchildren, Jim (Cecilia Dalupan) Cress, Dan Cress, Colleen (Bruce) Lea, Wendy Mosiman, Terri (Gary) Judson and stepson-in-law, Jim Leuhrs; beloved grandchildren and (great-grandchildren), Howard Smith (Arabelle, Samantha), Emily Purrenhage, Mindell Johnson, Melissa Johnson (Desmond), Tony Johnson (Magnolia, Mason), Nick Sunsdahl (Ero, Francie, Charles), Casey Sunsdahl (Ian, Luca), Gina Quick (Josie, Mila), Andrea Michelz (Camille, Giovanni), Ryan Norman (River, Ophelia), Jennifer Horn (Lucia, Sidney), Mark Norman (Cooper, Carter, Carson, Charlie), Sarah Anderson, Rachel Anderson, Jessie Luehrs, Tony Luehrs (Leona, Calvin), Hailley Luehrs, Chelsea Roth (Brynlee, Rhys), Tyler Cress, Javi Dalupan, Julia Dalupan, Jack Dalupan, Maggie Cress Ley (Willa, Marlo), Myles Cress, Nicole Gadbois (Auden, Cohen, Grady), Krista Breckenridge (Lennox, Arlo, Landon, Avery), Austin Lea, Justin Mosiman (Lilah, Jade, Baker, Rose), Lilith Nida, Carson Nida, Julia Judson and Evan Judson; loving nephews and nieces; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Roswold.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lorraine; wife, Joan; stepdaughters, Judy Mercon and Kitty Luehrs; stepsons-in-law, Ed Mosiman and Cory Nida; granddaughter, Lourdes Joan Dalupan-Cress; parents; brother, William Johnson; and sister, JoAnn Farrell.

As an adult, Jack discovered another love in his life, Jesus Christ. He requested the following to be included in his obituary, “I wish to thank all from my heart for the goodness and kindness of the host of people who helped me in this lifetime, and I also express my sorrow and ask forgiveness for those I may have hurt in any way.”

 

James “Jim” Pastika, 92, of Virginia, longtime resident of Ely, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at Edgewood in Virginia. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 at the Ely Presbyterian Church, with visitation one hour before and a light luncheon to follow. 

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Claire; three daughters, Mary Pastika (Paul Hartman), Heather Marsh (Daniel Pearson) and Bonny Andersen (Robert); grandchildren, Jenna and Judson Hartman, and Genevieve Marsh; and many nieces and nephews.

 

Kenneth John “Kenny” Lobe, a 39-year resident of Cordova, Alaska, originally of Ely, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at the wise age of 82. A celebration of life is planned for this summer in Cordova. 

He is survived by his daughter, Samantha J. Whetsell of Eagle River, Alaska, and grandchildren, Brendan, Jacob and Aidan; great-granddaughter, Kendall; son, Marcus J. Lobe of Anchorage, Alaska, and grandchildren, Liberty and Gage; sister, Jeanette (Bernie) Palcher of Ely; nephew, John (Leeann) Palcher of Nisswa and children, Victor and Raymond; niece, Laura (Peter) Eng of Esko and children, Mason and Marie; many cousins; and beloved beagle, Bandit.

 

Susan Beth Laine Hornseth, former resident of Ely, has died. A celebration of life will be held in July at the family cabin in Ely. Donations may be made to Twin Ports Spay and Neuter. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care. 

She is survived by her son, Dan (Shari) of Farmington; daughter, Kate (Peter) of Culver; grandchildren, Megan (Braeden), Ellie (Sean), Andrew, Luke and Claire; step-granddaughters, Leanna (Trenton), Lauren (Jackson) and Lainee; and brothers, Roger (Terri) Laine and Curt (Susan) Laine.

 

 

Jeanette Hildegard Klinker Stellmach, 90, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, in Virginia. There will be a celebration of life at the end of July in the Eagles Nest area near Tower. 

She is survived by her brother, Virgil Klinker; sister, Bernice Klinker; children, Douglas Stellmach, Timothy Stellmach, Linda (Dan) Minier, Cindy (Tom) Ferretti, Pam (Dan) Beihoffer, Mark Stellmach, Terry Stellmach and Shelly (Bob) Stellmach; many nieces and nephews; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.