Obituaries: February 14, 2025

Matthew E. Bisbee
Matthew Eric Bisbee, 57, of Orr, was suddenly and unexpectedly called home to the Lord in a tragic house fire on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16 at the First Baptist Church in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please bring any printed pictures of Matthew you may have to share with them. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Matthew was adopted at birth by Bertin and Carol Bisbee on April 29, 1967. He was raised at 6 Webster Place in Hopkins, attending Hopkins High where he would meet his high school sweetheart Paige Frostad. Together they graduated in 1985. United in marriage on May 31, 1986, together they attended University of Wisconsin-River Falls, graduating with bachelor degrees in 1995. They spent the early years of marriage moving around North Carolina, Minnesota and Wisconsin before settling on their 160-acre plot of land outside of Orr in 1998. There they raised up a home, a farm, their seven children and two foster children, hosted several families in need of a home, and developed a kennel known across the country, Black Beaver Creek Farm and Kennel.
Matthew joined the U.S. Army in 1985, enlisting in the 82nd Airborne Division with a short deployment to Honduras in 1987, before serving in the National Guard. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006-2007, where he earned a Bronze Star for Heroism. Matthew concluded his military service in 2007, when he was honorably discharged.
Always seeking to learn and grow, Matthew attended college several times. He graduated with his associate’s degree from St. Paul College in 1991, his bachelor’s degree in Social Studies Education from University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1995, and in 2003-2005 was compiling his master’s degree in Special Needs Education from Bemidji State before being deployed to serve overseas. In 2014, along with four of his seven children, Matthew attended Lake Superior College, graduating with an associate’s degree in Auto Body Mechanics.
Matthew worked in many professions, as a teacher’s aide, school teacher, special education teacher, holding several positions within Mesabi Academy, and as District Executive with the Boy Scouts of America on two separate occasions, among others. Whatever he did he always found himself in positions where he could connect with, guide, counsel, and teach young men. In all walks of life, be it work, military, scouting, church, school, the kennel, friends of his children, or neighbors, he always sought to mentor and share wisdom with whomever he met. It was his life’s true calling and the very core of who he was; his legacy left in the number of young men who have benefited from his care and council cannot be understated. His passing has and will continue to deeply affect all whom his life has touched. 
Matthew is survived by his wife, Paige Bisbee; sons, Anthony Bisbee, Nicholas (Dottie) Bisbee, Benjamin (Alicia) Bisbee, Courtney (Alicia) Bisbee and Wesley Bisbee; daughters, Caroline Bisbee and Ariel Bisbee; brother, Alex Bisbee; sisters, Kate Wright-Sims, Sarah Mallberg and Marti Hall; and many beloved and cherished grandchildren, nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Jennifer L. Kauppinen
Jennifer Lee Kauppinen, 51, died on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Shop with a Cop c/o the Virginia Police Department. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Jennifer was born in Virginia on Oct. 22, 1973, to John and Marlene Kauppinen, joining big sister Shari. Jennifer was a 1992 graduate of the Virginia Secondary School. She sang in the a capella choir, was captain of the flags and participated in many other activities, taking on a leadership role. Jennifer graduated with honors from Augsburg College with a double major. Jennifer was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia. She was active in various church activities.
Jennifer worked in different management roles after high school. Most recently she was working at United Behavioral Health. Jennifer was known as a dedicated, hardworking employee and earned many commendations and awards for her work. She was respected by her co-workers and teammates. She will be greatly missed by her work family throughout the local company, as well as her special team abroad in India.
Jennifer became ordained to officiate her best friend’s wedding. She was so happy to have been able to share in her friend’s special day. Jennifer was proud to be the daughter of a retired police lieutenant and law enforcement instructor and carried this pride into her personal life by volunteering her time with the Shop with a Cop program. Her passion for supporting law enforcement was a big part of her life.
Jennifer loved music. She enjoyed attending concerts and was once the lead singer in a band. She had a beautiful voice and even competed in a karaoke contest held in Las Vegas. Music brought her joy and happiness.
Jennifer’s family remembers her as a very loving and beautiful person. She was very creative and enjoyed making crafts, especially with her goddaughters, Michaela and Mackenzie. She had a caring soul and was a ray of sunshine. She will be missed so much by her family and all of her friends, especially her “sisters of the heart”, Nikki and Tammy. Jennifer was a very spiritual person and felt a deep connection to the divine and had a love of nature which gave her support and comfort.
Jennifer is survived by mother, Marlene Kauppinen; sister, Shari Brazil; aunts, Debbie Esselstrom, Judith Renmoe and Elaine Kauppinen; uncles, Bill Kauppinen and Roger Nelmark; cousins, Steve Nelmark, Billy, Tom and Julie Kauppinen, Alayna Esselstrom, Peter Pomaville, Jody Nelmark and Michael Nelmark; goddaughters, Michaela and Mackenzie; best friends, Nikki and Tammy; numerous other friends; and precious cat, Spirit Rose.
She is joined in heaven with her loving father, John; and her grandparents.
 
Leonard Cersine
Leonard Cersine, 77, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Family services have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 

Gary L. Bundy
Gary Lee Bundy, 71, of Greaney, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Per his wishes, there will be no services. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Cedric D. Roivanen
Cedric Delano Roivanen, 82, of Cook, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 1-3 p.m. at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. In lieu of flowers, please donate to local Veterans or the Cook VFW.
He is survived by his son, Darren (Julie Strom) Roivanen; daughter, Laura Roivanen; granddaughters, Jillian Warzonek and Hailey (Tom) Becker; and great-grandchildren, Evelyn and Jack Becker.
 
Norman E. Dale Jr.
Norman “Norm” Eugene Dale Jr., 82, of Aurora, died on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, at his home. A celebration of life will be held from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 at the Embarrass Town Hall. Inurnment will be in the Waasa Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Berry Dale; children, Donald (Anne) Dale of Chisago, David (Heide) Dale of Tower, Duane (Michelle) Dale of Hibbing, Gina Barry of Virginia and Barry Tornow of Hibbing; eleven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.