Obituaries: February 3, 2023

Mark Leustek
Mark Leustek, 53, of Ely, passed away on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Donnie J. Gordon
Donnie Jean Jameson Mosher Gordon, 78, of Cook, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, surrounded by her family. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
She is survived by her husband, Tom; children, Lori (Deb) Gordon, Cynthya Porter, Erica (Mark) Burns, Naomi Gordon, Russell (Kelly) Mosher and Andrew Gordon; siblings, Dennis (Marlene) Jameson and Sandra Janney; grandchildren, Mallory, McKenzie, Erin, Garrett and Jasmin plus those she loved like her grandchildren, Cameron, Steven and Matthew; great-grandchildren, Aubriella and newborn Rylee; nieces, nephews and their families.

Charles E. Lerfald Sr.
Charles Eugene Lerfald Sr., 69, of Angora, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 
He is survived by his loving wife, Tammy; daughter, Shelby (Jon); sons, Charles Jr. (Kenzie), Jeremy and Darren; sister, Sarah Maki; brothers, David (Bonnie), John and Keith (Sue), all of Embarrass; sister-in-law, Delores of Gilbert; grandchildren, Kinsley, Lacie, Nolan, Jazzy, Ariana, Lawrence, Landon, Aria and Anika; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Darlene M. Graupman
Darlene Mary Elizabeth Stuedemann Graupman, 91, of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, at Carefree Living in Babbitt. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Babbitt. Burial was at the Amanda Cemetery Annex in Waasa Township. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her three children, Sandra (Kevin) Gibson, Steven (Linda) Graupman and Shelly (Darrell) Zillmer; ten grandchildren, Julie (Dan) Viren, Scott (Lisa) Gibson, Travis (Andrea) Gibson, Ross (Dawn) Graupman, Neil (Christina) Graupman, Amy (Matthew) Eldridge, Tony Zillmer, Teri (Chris) Iverson, Tyler Zillmer and Tracy (Leeland) Campion; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and another on the way.

Mary Ann Starkman
Mary Ann “Dolly” Sever Starkman, 94, a proud lifelong resident of Ely, died on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, at Carefree Living in Babbitt. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Carefree Living for their daily provision of kind and compassionate care. Funeral services will be announced at later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her daughters, Marie (Tim) Salerno and Sharon Franklin; daughter-in-law, Bonnie K. Starkman; grandchildren, Michael (Heidi) Starkman, David Starkman, Matt and Sean (Alyssa) Salerno, John Franklin and Morgan (T.J.) Maglio; great-granddaughters, Jade, Vivienne, Quincy and Annie; and great-grandsons, Logan, Vincent and Julian.