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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries - Jan. 25, 2019

Posted

Thomas R. Poderzay Sr.

Thomas R. Poderzay Sr., 91, of Soudan, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower with Father Nick Nelson as celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. Military honors will be accorded by the Cook VFW Post 1757 Honor Guard and the Orr American Legion Post 480 Honor Guard. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Schwinghamer, the staff of Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, Boundary Waters Care Center, the staff of Vermilion Senior Living and the Essentia Health East Range Hospice team for all the compassionate care Tom received.

Tom was born on July 13, 1927, in Soudan. He attended and graduated from Tower-Soudan High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1945 during World War II; he re-enlisted in the Army during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Dolores, on Nov. 15, 1955, in Neckarweihingen, Germany, while he was serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. After returning to the United States, they lived in Fort Polk, La., for a short time before settling in Soudan in 1957. After working for 30 years, Tom retired from Erie Mining Company.

Tom was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church and the KSKJ Lodge. He enjoyed playing accordion with his brothers and sisters, doing crossword puzzles, watching game shows, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Dolores “Toots” and Terry Sandnas, Tom and Bernie (Russo) Poderzay, and Robert and Tina Poderzay; grandchildren, Laura Aune, April and Jesse Glass, Erin and Bill Bryson, Jacob Sandnas, Christina Poderzay, Donald Poderzay, Brennan and Ashley Poderzay, and Jordan Poderzay; eight great-grandchildren, Kate and Luke Cheney, Sawyer, Laurin and Libby Glass, Vera and Audrey Bryson; sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Frank Galaski; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 54 years, Dolores; brothers, Robert, Leonard, Joe and Tony; and sisters, Caroline Akins and Pauline Trucano.

Elizabeth Povhe

Elizabeth “Betty” Scufsa Povhe, 69, of Ely, passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

She is survived by her siblings, Rudy (Sue) Scufsa and Bernie (Donna) Scufsa; brothers-in-law, Fred (Jeanie) Povhe and Garry Kitchens; nieces and nephews, Samantha Kitchens, Tabitha Carter, Amy (Bob) Kellogg (children Courtney and Cole), Trisha (Barry) Weisinger (children Emily (Dan) Forsman and Stephen), John (Heather) Scufsa (children Addison, Rebecca and Rachael), Wendy Varey (children Adam and Clayton), Michael Scufsa, Denise Scufsa (children Kali, Brady, Parker and Reese); Ben (daughter Grace, one of Betty and Jim’s greatest gifts), Alex and Bradley Povhe; grand-nieces Kiersten, Alexis and Kiley; and step-niece and nephew, Donnie and Joey.

James J. Hall

James John “Jim” Hall, 85, of Orr, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Essential Health in Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 25 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A light lunch will be served after the service at St. Mary’s. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Jim was born to John and Julia (Rom) Hall on Aug. 30, 1933, in Neenah, Wis. When Jim was a young child, his family moved to Greaney, where he grew up and attended school. He graduated from Orr High School in 1952. After graduating, Jim was employed at various construction jobs in the area. In the 1960s, Jim started his own business, D&H Construction, where he worked until retirement in the late 1990s. Jim was united in marriage to Jeanette Doroff in October 1953. They were blessed with five children before they divorced.

Jim later met and married Jean Adair Craven and became a meaningful patriarch to her two boys. He enjoyed many fishing trips in Canada with Jean. Jim also loved to spend time at deer camp hunting deer and grouse, or just simply spending time with loved ones, especially playing cards. His family lovingly remembers Jim as upbeat and happy, always having a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

Jim is survived by his children, Jim (Linda) Hall of Gilbert, Geri Fendler of Shakopee, Jolene Brewton of Wisconsin, John (Laureen) Hall of Eveleth, Marie (Patrick) Maczko of Lakeville, Mike Syversrud and Scott Syversrud, both of Gilbert; sister, Maxine (Bill) Purdy; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Julia; first wife, Jeanette (Doroff) Hall; second wife and fishing partner, Jean (Craven) Hall; and sister, Winnie Gheen.

Doris E. Milbridge

Doris E. Milbridge, 89, of Virginia, passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at Essentia Health Virginia Care Center. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Pamela G. Clines

Pamela G. Clines, 72, of Lake Vermilion-Cook, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth from leukemia. A gathering of friends and family to honor her memory was held on Thursday, Jan. 24, at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook or the Cook Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store. A service will be held at a later date in Indiana. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Pam was born on July 6, 1946, in Santa Barbara, Calif., and grew up in Terre Haute, Ind., where she graduated from Garfield High School in 1964. She then attended Indiana State University and graduated in 1968 with a teaching degree. After graduation she moved to Indianapolis for an elementary teaching career. She was united in marriage to Larry Clines on June 28, 1969. Pam spent 37 years in Indianapolis, where she raised her family and taught for Warren Township and then Franklin Township School Corporation; she retired in 2005. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading, and vacations at Walt Disney World and Lake Vermilion. After years of vacationing in Minnesota, Pam and Larry purchased a summer cabin on Lake Vermilion in 1985. In 1997, they acquired Timbuktu Marina with their children, and then retired and moved to Lake Vermilion in 2005.

Pam enjoyed volunteering at the Cook Thrift Store, spending time with friends, and her time spent at Timbuktu Marina. Her most favorite times were those with her grandchildren and watching their sporting events. Pam was a sweet lady, loving wife, mother and grandmother, and a truly great friend to many. She will be forever in our hearts and will be missed greatly.

Pam is survived by her husband of 49 years, Larry; daughter, Christine (David) Hampson; son, Matthew (Michelle); brother, Richard (Anita) Walters of Indiana; grandchildren, Mason and Micaden Clines and Jack and Lauren Hampson; nephews, Jason and Daniel Walters; lifelong cherished friends and extended family.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Antoinette Walters.