Obituaries - Jan. 12, 18

Ross A. Huismann

Ross “Rod” Allen Huismann, 87, of Greaney, passed away on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. A f#uneral service# was held on Monday, Jan. 8 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Rev. Jeff Schirle was the officiant. Military honors were accorded by the combined Honor Guards of Cook VFW Post 1757 and Orr American Legion Post 480. A reception in honor of Rod followed at the Cook VFW. Spring interment will be held at the Willow Valley Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Rod was born in Breckenridge on Feb. 19, 1930, to Claus and Doris (McKibben) Huismann. When Rod was eight-years-old, his family moved to Sauk Centre. Rod was united in marriage to Gwendolyn Kraakaas on Aug. 31, 1952, in Granite Falls at Stony Run Lutheran Church. Rod worked at many jobs: farming, labor mechanic, lineman for ATT construction, and then started his own business which he owned and operated for 40-plus years.

Rod is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gwendolyn; six children, Karen (Terry) Skraba of Hibbing, Kathy (Kenneth) Lehman of Greaney, John (Ruth Shermer) of Greaney, Barbara (Mark) Tupy of Hibbing, Frederick “Fritz” Huismann of Greaney and Kenny (Diane Sauter) of Gilbert; 16 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; brother, Leroy (Mack) Huismann; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; mother- and father-in-law, Phyllis and Johnnie Kraakaas; sisters, Lois (Arne) Quistorff and Linda Winters; three siblings who died in infancy; sisters-in-law, Jean Huismann, Dagny Minsaas and Dorothy Coubal; and nephews, Wayne Quistorff and Robert Winters.

Jan Nilsen

Jan Nilsen, 80, died on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Jan was born in Bergen, Norway, on Dec. 5, 1937, to Ruth and Ole Nilsen. They emigrated to Ely in 1949. We are all thankful for the many years of camping, fishing, boating, four-wheeler rides and going to the cabin that we experienced with him. He meant a lot to many people. We loved him dearly and are missing him so much already.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, JoAnn Seliga Nilsen; three daughters; two sons; 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Roger R. Maki

Roger R. Maki, 80, of Virginia, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, at Essentia Health—Virginia. Private family services were held at the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia with Deacon Brenda Tibbitts officiating. Spring interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia.

Survivors include his wife, Carole; children, Roger (Lori Vainik) Maki of Lake Vermilion, Brian (Sally) Maki of Eagan, Lori Maki and Todd Maki, both of Virginia, Mark (Linda) Maki of Rogers and Paul Maki of Virginia; stepson, Milan Luzaich of Duluth; five grandchildren; one step-grandson; and a brother.

Rose Hedlund “Gwa Gwa Kigahobawik”

Rose Hedlund “Gwa Gwa Kigahobawik”, 87, of Tower, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017. Traditional Services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at the Vermilion Family Wellness Center. Gilbert Smith was the Spiritual Leader and Gene Goodsky was the Spiritual Advisor. Casket bearers were Norman Adams, Gordon Adams Jr., Randy Adams, Bradley Goodsky, Garvis Goodsky and Donovan Strong. Honorary casket bearers were David Parson, Joseph Hedlund, Karl Lindahl, Nathan Hedlund, Cody Fredenburg, Erik Larson and Joshua Gudahl.

Rose was born to William and Mary (Ottertail) Burnside on Sept. 5, 1930, in Crane Lake. She made her home in Buhl, where she raised her children with her husband, Carl Hedlund Sr. Rose was an American Indian Cultural Teacher.

Rose was loved by all who knew her. She was quick-witted and fun to be around. Rose had a heart of gold and welcomed the broken, drunken and poor into her home to rest and always provided unconditional love. She cared about everyone. Rose had a special relationship with each one of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cherished each one and they cherished her. Rose had numerous nieces and nephews and was a special auntie who loved them all very much. She was their “antique”! Rose loved “her family” at St. Michael’s and they loved her. She developed many friendships and made lasting bonds with many people. Above all she was our teacher and instructor and the greatest mom, grandmother and great-grandmother. We will miss you, mom, until we meet in paradise.

She is survived by her children, Mardelle Columbus, John (Cindy) Gudahl, Robert Hedlund, Joseph (Traci) Hedlund, Pamela (Thomas) Parson, Isabelle Larson and Carl Hedlund Jr.; grandchildren, David Parson, Cody Fredenburg, Karl Lindahl, Erik Larson, Joshua Gudahl, Nathan Hedlund, Steffanie Pajari, Nichole Weatherly, Danielle Parson, Kailee Gudahl, Mariah Gudahl, Allison Gudahl, Angela Gudahl, Carol Connor and Adeline Connor.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl; and two children, Dinky and Mary Alice.

Kim T. Von Wald

Kim Tina Von Wald, 58, of Babbitt, went to her heavenly home peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, from her home. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Babbitt Assembly of God Church in Babbitt with Pastor Ben Morgan officiating. Spring burial will be in the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

She is survived by her parents, Bruce, whom she called “Poppers”, and Judith; siblings, Brandon (Lori Rosenbush) of Puyallup, Wash., Pastor James Von Wald and Pastor Tina Von Wald of Foley, Rian (Jeannene) Von Wald of Blaine, Ronald (Darla) Von Wald of Blaine; nieces, Emma (Jared) and Ella; nephews, Michael (Lisa) and Mark (Bonnie); grand-nephews, Ean, Noah, Ethan, Sam and Max; great-grand-nephew, Benjamin; many uncles, aunties and cousins; and many friends too numerous to mention. Her family thanks each of you for the love and kindness you have shown to Kim.

Dennis J. Dix

Dennis Jay “DJ” Dix, 35, of Hibbing, passed away of natural causes on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, at Fairview Medical Center in Hibbing. Traditional Services were held on Sunday, Dec. 31 at the Nett Lake Government and Services Center. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Mary J. Davis

Mary Jane Clendening Davis, 91, of Eagles Nest, died on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, in Ely. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Ely United Methodist Church with Pastor Dana Thompson officiating. Spring interment will be in the Ely Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society. Family services provided by Bauman Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Mary is survived by her husband, Lawrence Edward “Pete” Davis; daughter, Joy (Robert) Sundquist; son, Mark (Linda) Davis; grandchildren, Shelly, Aaron (Jana), Pamela and Nic; great-grandchildren, Brookelyn, Brayden, Maddelyn, Finnean, Emmelyn, Blake and Molly; Robert Sundquist’s children and grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Christine L. Tezak

Christine Louise Koprivnik Tezak, 94, of Ely, passed away peacefully with family by her side on Monday, Dec. 25, 2017, at Carefree Living in Babbitt. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by her children, Edward (Linda) of Duluth, Kathleen Tezak of Ely, Mary Lou (Charles) Lina of Hibbing, Patricia (Gary) Doyle of Santa Rosa, Calif., Michael (Marla) Tezak of Ely and Monica (Mike) Bonderson of Nashwauk; grandchildren, James (Tracy) Tezak, Michael and Samuel Lina, Christopher (Ashlee) Bonderson, Brandon and Mitchell Bonderson, and Zachary Doyle; great-grandchildren, Easton and Will; and several nieces and nephews.