Obituaries: February 25, 2024

Christina Premo
Christina Premo, 56, of Mt. Iron, passed away on Feb. 10, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center in Virginia. A full obituary will follow in next week’s paper.

Zachary S. Kainz
Zachary Scott O’Bryan Kainz, 28, of Chisholm, originally of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Babbitt with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 
He is survived by his daughters, Nora (Licar) Kainz and Aspyn Kainz; parents, Scott (Michele) Kainz and Tamara (Tom) Herb; sister, Ashlee Kainz; stepsisters, Ashley Wright and Jamie (Chris) Pierce; paternal grandparents, Donna Davis and Bruce Kainz; aunts and uncles, Scott Wilson, Dawn Wilson, Travis (Kristi) Kainz, Sheila Kainz and Jennifer (Tom) Nemanich; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Arlene L. Crain
Arlene L. Crain, 94, of Crane Lake, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024. Services are being planned for a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Richard Mariucci
Richard P. Mariucci, 86, of Mountain Iron passed away unexpectedly at his home in Ann’s Acres on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. A celebration of life ceremony will be held for Richard on Saturday, March 16, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia. Visitation will be at 10 a.m.  The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the church at 12 p.m.  Arrangements are being made through Landmark Funeral Home. 
Richard was born to Sabatino and Lena (Dellago) Mariucci on Jan. 30, 1938, in Virginia. He grew up on Northside with his two brothers, Emil and twin Donald.  At age 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Italy where he was a ski instructor, lifeguard, and earned commendations in marksmanship for heavy machine guns and mortars. 
After his honorable discharge, he returned to the United States and married (Dolores) Carmen Salminen (deceased).  Richard and Carmen raised their 4 children in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, and were married until Carmen’s death in 2001. Richard was a loving husband and father, providing his family with adventures, laughter, and cherished memories.
Richard worked in the mining industry his entire career but wore many other hats.  He was a property owner, tending to rental homes and those who occupied them.  He was a skilled welder, a problem solver, and loved to build with his own two hands. It seemed as though there wasn’t anything Richard couldn’t do or fix.
Richard didn’t sit still. In his youth he was a competitive ski jumper across Minnesota and Wisconsin, and even tried out for the Olympics. He was the life of any party when he showed up with a bottle of his homemade wine in one hand and his guitar in the other.  He would sing you a song, tell you a story, and make you laugh. He could forage for berries, hunt wild game, and tend a garden, then turn the bounty into jam, wine, and a good meal.   Richard loved nature and fishing, which he enjoyed often with family and friends. 
Richard touched countless lives with his help, hospitality, and laughter.  He will be dearly missed by friends, neighbors, and family. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Carmen (Salminen), parents Sabatino and Lena (Dellago), and brother Emil. Richard is survived by his twin brother Donald (Annette), and his four children Clay (Rebecca) Mariucci, Mark Mariucci, Clint (Chris) Mariucci, and Annie (Brent) Oelrich, as well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.