Obituaries: January 30, 2026

Vincent A. Vesel III
Vincent Anthony “Vince” Vesel III, 74, of Soudan, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. Vince chose to donate his body to science, providing it to the University of Minnesota Medical School Anatomy Bequest Program. A celebration of life will be held at a later date in the summer.
Vincent was born in Winton on Dec. 29, 1951, to Gertrude Zollar Vesel and Vincent Vesel Jr.,  and grew up in Ely. Vince married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Stefanich of Tower, on Jan. 8, 1972; they made their home in Soudan and raised four children.
Vince worked primarily as a millwright for U.S. Steel and United Taconite, as well as a variety of other jobs. Vince had a strong work ethic; he was a skilled builder and dirt worker; he loved to caretake for his friends on Indian Point Road; and he loved his role as “sheriff of the road.”  Vince’s happy place was The Cabin; he most enjoyed when friends, family, and neighbors stopped by for a drink and a visit. He always said, “If you ever leave hungry or thirsty, it’s your own damn fault.” He always wanted his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to come out to enjoy the lake, the beach, and the land. Vince was an avid hunter; his favorites were grouse, deer and rabbit, among others. He also loved other outdoor sports, including trapping and fishing. 
Vince was deeply committed to his family and was always most excited about the youngest members; he loved to hold a baby and treat his grandkids with candy, ice cream, and donuts. Vince was a big guy; his voice, stature, and demeanor made him seem intimidating, but to those who knew him, his heart was bigger. 
Vince is survived by his patient and loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy Stefanich Vesel; children, Rebecca (Steve) Kivela, Amy Vesel (Willy Milton), Vincent Vesel IV (Robin) and Amber (Brian) Zak; grandchildren, Austin (Caley) Hujanen, Alyssa (Dustin) Olson, Ryan (Natalie) Milton, Ruby Milton, Allie Vesel, Vincent Vesel V, Amelie Zak, and Owen Zak; great-grandchildren, Maisy Hujanen, Asher Hujanen, and Adelynn Olson; sisters, Shelly (Myron) Muth, Cindy (Jim) Kerntz, and Julie (Rick) Blais; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins. He will be deeply missed by all.  
He was preceded in death by his parents; and in-laws, Ann “Inky” and Joe Stefanich, Joseph Stefanich, Raymond and Rosemary Stefanich, and Nicholas Stefanich.  

Jerome F. Skala
Jerome F. “Jerry” Skala, 77, of Iron, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 21,, 2026, at Essentia Health in Virginia. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Resurrection Catholic Church in Eveleth with visitation at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the spring at the Saginaw Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Jerry was born as the youngest of three brothers on Dec. 4,1948, in the Soudan Hospital, to Joseph and Anne Tekautz Skala. He graduated from Tower High School in 1966. After graduation, Jerry joined the United States Army,where he proudly served his country on a sixteen-month tour in Vietnam. It was here he discovered his passion for driving trucks. Upon his return from Vietnam, Jerry and Janice Shepel were united in marriage on Oct. 2, 1971, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Together they had one daughter, Rachael. Following fifteen years of work at U.S. Steel, Jerry purchased his first truck and hit the road. 
After retirement, Jerry was happy to spend time with family and friends, and travel the world with Jan. Jerry loved the outdoors, whether it was at his cabin in the woods, the hunting shack, riding the trails on his side-by-side with Jan and his friends, or skeet and target shooting. He loved a warm fire and a cold drink, and no one could tell a story like Jerry. Known for his commanding presence and sense of humor, Jerry will be missed by many.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jan; daughter, Rachael (Kris) Turnbull; grandsons, Bryce, Alec, Reese,and Will Turnbull; brothers, Jack (Karen) Skala and Joseph Skala; family, Barbara Omerza, Larry (Mary Ann) Shepel, and Joan Shepel; many nieces, nephews and dear friends, especially Dirk VerSteeg, Alan Wagenbach, and Cliff Wagenbach; and very special canine, Eddie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anne Skala; in-laws, Frank and Fran Shepel; brothers-in-law, Ronald Omerza and Franklin Shepel; sisters-in-law, Marlene Skala and Vlasta Skala; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and many faithful furry companions.

Colonel J. G. Runkle (Ret.)
Colonel James Glenn Runkle (Ret.), 82, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, died on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower with Rev. Beau Braun as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Military rites will be accorded by the Mid-Range Honor Guard. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower at a later date. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Jim was born on Feb. 24, 1943, in Freeport, Ill., to Glenn and Garnette Kuntz Runkle and grew up on Lake Vermilion-Tower. Jim was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School and the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1966. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, went to Officer Training School, and married Marianne Holmes in 1967. In 1978, he received a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska.
Jim spent over 24 years in the United States Air Force and retired in 1991 as a Colonel. He and Marianne then became residents of Lake Vermilion. He was a member of American Legion Post 239 of Virginia.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marianne of Lake Vermilion-Tower; two sons, James (Jolie) Runkle of Farmington and William (Molly) Runkle of New Hope; four grandchildren, Lukas, Austin, Harrison and Maddie; two brothers-in-law, Rodney (Joan) Holmes and Jerry Holmes (Karen); and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Geraldine A. Koschak
Geraldine Angela “Geri” Koschak, 83, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in the loving presence of her family at Carefree Living in Ely. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 30 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Ely Educational Foundation or Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice East Range. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
Geri was born on Aug. 19, 1942, in Ely, to Frank and Angela Orazem Kosir. She grew up in Ely, helping her parents with the family business, Kosir’s Motel. Geri graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1960 and earned a BA in Education at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
On June 18, 1966, Geri married Dennis Koschak at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely, and they moved to Silver Bay, where they started their family. Geri and Denny were married for 35 years and had three sons, Bill, Bob and Dave. After her husband passed in 2002, Geri reconnected with her friend Pat Ferderber and they enjoyed 23 years of companionship before her passing.
Geri deeply valued education and taught school in Virginia, Silver Bay, and Ely, where she retired from teaching language arts and business classes. She was a woman of many talents, and she could often be found working in her gardens, making potica, fishing and snowmobiling with Denny, golfing with Pat, and playing bridge with her Bridge Ladies. Geri took pride in being involved with her community in a range of roles in both Silver Bay and Ely, notably serving as an officer on the boards of the Ely Educational Foundation, AAUW-Ely Branch, and Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. She was also an avid traveler who went on adventures around the globe and was proud to have visited six of the world’s seven continents during her retirement.
Geri is survived by her children, Bill Koschak of Los Angeles, Calif., Bob Koschak of Blaine and Dave (Kate) Koschak of Ham Lake; grandchildren, Ryan, Andy and Maren; sisters, Jane (Steve) Koschak, Sharon (Ed) Krumme, and Betty (Mike) Sipe; nieces and nephews, Kevin (Tara), James (Krista), Grant (Samantha), Brandon (Jackie), Nick (Amber), Paige (Adam), and Madisen (Shane); and beloved partner, Pat Ferderber. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; and parents.

James P. Walsh
James Patrick Walsh, 85, of Ely, has died. Funeral services are pending.
How is it that a city kid who got in more than his share of trouble on St. Paul’s Rice Street became a lover of wildlife, woods, and water? Maybe it was his Irish roots. Jim Walsh was the son of immigrants who came to St. Paul from villages just a stone’s throw away from Galway Bay. It stands to reason that fishing was part of their family DNA. But it was likely more than that.
How else do you explain Jim’s transformation and maturation? First, from a kid who cut friends’ hair for cigarette and beer money. Then to a troubled teen and take-no-guff adult who pummeled foes both in the boxing ring and the barroom. And later still, a thrill-seeker who raced motorcycles and snowmobiles and never met a speed limit he liked.
Jim said years later that the change came thanks to a growing devotion to God, as well as a deepening passion for the world’s quiet places – silent forests, limitless oceans and Minnesota’s many calm lakes.
Born in St. Paul to Patrick Joseph Walsh and Mary Margaret McDonagh Walsh, Jim attended grade school at St. Adelbert’s, just a short walk from the family’s home on Lafond Avenue. As a teen, Jim learned to box at the St. Paul Police gym. Not only were the lessons he learned helpful in the ring during his amateur boxing career, but learning to use his fists helped Jim better defend himself against the neighborhood toughs who bullied him as a boy. For years afterwards, life was spiced with fisted encounters both in the ring and out. Jim liked to say he never started fights, but he sure knew how to finish them.
A 1959 graduate of Mechanic Arts High School, he confessed he also spent more than a minute at Boys Totem Town. Eventually, maturity and family responsibilities helped Jim transition to a calmer life. He spent his early adult years working in a dizzying array of jobs and trades and learned to do most anything, from flipping pancakes to selling vacuums. He hit his stride as a self-employed businessman launching successful ventures that left his mark across the state – first at the helm of Walsh Decorating in St. Paul and finally operating Walsh Septic in Ely. He was in his 80s when he retired, and only because he could no longer find helpers for his Iron Range septic business.
He married, and divorced, three times - to Linda Boyd, Mary Dean Heimel, and Linda Lorch. He was Dad to five children. And he enjoyed travel near and far, from the forests and lakes of Minnesota to his family’s home in Ireland. Trips to Canada, Italy, New Orleans, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica filled photo albums and fueled a lifetime of stories. But Jim found his greatest peace and a culmination of a dream at homes on the lakes and in the woods outside Babbitt and Ely. There, this rough-and-tumble guy became a trusted softy, feeding a menagerie of creatures, including deer, birds, chipmunks, fishers, and a persistent black bear. Some would come when he called. Some so trusted him, they took food from his palm. Well, maybe not the bear. 
Over the years, a more mellow man excelled at cooking, his guacamole and barbecued ribs were to die for. And he became a voracious reader, especially of the Bible and the novels of Wiliam Kent Kruger. Three years ago, he realized another dream, buying a live-aboard yacht outside Naples, Fla. He spent hundreds of hours refurbishing it. He didn’t have a chance to finish it.
In early October 2025, Jim was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver, lungs and lymph nodes. The Ely home of his longtime friend, Nancy Tubbs, became his sanctuary. After more than three months in hospice, Jim died on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at his stepdaughter Angie’s home in Woodbury.
Jim is survived by a sister, Mary Patricia (Tony Henderson) Maloney-Henderson; daughter, Ann (Paul) Butterfield; son, James (Heidi) Walsh Jr.; daughter, Shannon (Adam) Gold; stepdaughter, Angie (Mike) Hauer; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara Ann; brother, Martin; and infant son, John.

Rauha I. Savela
Rauha Ilona Laakkonen Savela, 88, of Angora, passed away the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026, in Virginia. A graveside service will be held later this year in the summer. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home of Virginia.
She will be missed by her grandson, Colton; great-granddaughter, Elise; nephews, Leo and Larry; and many other family members and friends.

David J. Mondati
David J. Mondati, 75, of Henderson, Nev., originally of Ely, passed away suddenly on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. A private interment will be held at a later date.
He is survived by his son, Daniel Mondati; brother, Raymond (Cathy) Mondati; sister, Carol (Bob) Gornik; and several nieces and nephews.

Susan Zuriff
Susan “Sue” Rom McKee Zuriff, of Minneapolis, originally of Ely, passed away peacefully at HCMC hospital of lung cancer. A memorial was held at the Pillars of Prospect Park, where she had lived since August 2024. 
She is survived by her sister, Sandy Rom of Las Vegas, Nev.; step-siblings, Alan and Jane Maki of Ely; and several dear friends.