Obituaries - Jul. 27, 2018

Harry A. Enzmann

Harry A. Enzmann, 104, of Cook, passed away on Friday, July 20, 2018, at the Cook Hospital and Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook with visitation one hour prior to the service. Lunch will be served in the Trinity fellowship area immediately following the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Harry Albert Enzmann was born on Feb. 18, 1914, at International Falls, the son of Albert and Marie (Menzner) Enzmann. His early life was on his father’s homestead near Ray, where he attended school at the new one-room school in Beaver Township. In 1922, he moved with his family to Leander, five miles south of Cook, where his parents opened The Farmers Store. He attended school in Angora, a three-mile walk from home, graduating from the eighth grade in 1928. His father purchased the Flint Creek Dairy Farm in 1930, a farm that formerly produced milk products for the crews working for the Virginia & Rainy Lake Lumber Company. While there he continued to attend Cook High School, becoming a member of the first graduating class in 1932.

Harry used soil tillage methods learned from his uncle Oscar to turn fields that were weed patches into productive fields. He and brother Walter worked with the University of Minnesota Extension Service to help develop alfalfa and grain crops suitable to the region. In 1939, Harry and Walter formed Enzmann Bros Farm Equipment selling International Harvester, Case and New Holland equipment. He was united in marriage to Elma Ojanen on Aug.14, 1943, in the Little Fork Lutheran Church. Due to shoulder injuries, his doctor told him he could no longer stand the rigors of farming, so in 1970 he sold his share of the farm to his nephew James Enzmann and formed Enzmann Pump Service. He continued to sell, install, and service water systems throughout the region until retiring in 1986.

Harry was the first president of the Cook Hospital board, clerk of Field Township for 37 years, secretary for Arrowhead Seed Growers Coop for 20 years, member of the Cook Creamery board, Midland Cooperative district board, Land-O-Lakes district board, and Minnesota Dairy Council. He was a State Fire Warden for 65 years and was voted Most Outstanding Senior Citizen for North St. Louis County in 2001 and 2004. He and brother Walter were cited with the Premier Dairyman award and he was named to the NE Minnesota Senior Honor Roll of Agriculture. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and sang in the choir for 46 years. Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially winter spearfishing. When he wasn’t on the lake he could be found making spearing decoys to share with his friends.

Harry is survived by one son, Michael (Lorene) Enzmann of Cook; two daughters, Linda Enzmann-Allen (Larry Allen) of Independence, Mo., and Peggy (Marvin) Pearson of Angora; seven grandchildren, Natalie Enzmann of Shoreview, Karen (Paul) Jung of Woodbury, Jeff (Lisha) Pearson and Rachel (Jeffery Quiel) Pearson of Angora, Amy (Tim) Pearson of Cook, Jared (Tom Parker) Allen of Emeryville, Calif., and Marla (Darin) Van Thournout of Kansas City, Mo.; and nine great-grandchildren, Joseph and Daniel Jung, Anya, Serena and Lila Pearson, Caleb Uchal and Josephine Pearson, Katrina and Cora Chapman.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 61 years, Elma; brother, Walter (Sophie) Enzmann; and sisters, Martha Enzmann and Marian (James) Roan.

Daisy Nelson

Daisy Walkama Durrant Nelson, 99, of Virginia, died on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at Edgewood Vista. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5 in the Edgewood Vista Chapel. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Daisy was born on June 19, 1919, in Spokane, Wash., the daughter of Otto Fredrick and Saima (Rahkola) Walkama, who both emigrated from Finland. Otto died when Daisy was very young so Saima and Daisy moved to Virginia, Minn., to be with family.

Daisy graduated from Virginia High School in the class of 1937 and later from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she met Leonard Durrant who was from Lake City. Len and Daisy were married in Lake City before he was sent overseas during WWII. Daisy and Len settled in St. Paul after he returned from the service. They had a good life together, enjoying her family cabin on Lake Vermilion and taking many trips. They became part owners of a ski area in Wisconsin called Snow Crest where Daisy became a good skier and qualified for NASTAR finals at the age of 52.

The Durrants lived in St. Paul for 37 years and retired to Bella Vista, Ark. After Len died, Daisy continued to live in Bella Vista. At her 60th Virginia High School class reunion, Daisy reacquainted with classmate Dr. Paul Nelson. At age 82 years young, they began their new life together, and lived in Normal, Ill.

Daisy was a member of the Edgewood Vista Resident Council, and initiated a Finnish Culture Group and a Finnish Language Group. She was a member of PEO in Normal, Ill., and Virginia and appreciated all the good they have accomplished.

Daisy is survived by her sons, David (Vicki Hall) Durrant of Tower, Paul Durrant of Minneapolis and Steven (Chris Carlson) Durrant of Seattle, Wash.; grandchildren, Ben, Jess and Peter; and great-grandson, Logan.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Leonard Durrant; second husband, Dr. Paul Nelson; sister, Dora Ernst; and daughter-in-law, Susan Durrant.

Bradley A. Rolfson

Bradley Alan Rolfson, 57, of Embarrass, died on Friday July 20, 2018, at his home, after an eight-month battle with esophageal cancer. Private family graveside services will be at a later date at the Embarrass Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Surviving are his wife, Beth; daughters, Amanda (Paul) Rasmussen of Embarrass and Brooke Woitalla of Tower; son, Craig (Sara) Rolfson of Hermantown; eight grandchildren, Ally, Kenzie, Alex, Ian, Jackson, Tyme, Hayden and Taya; and his siblings.

Molly A. Banovetz

Molly A. Kastelac Banovetz, 100, a lifetime resident of Ely, passed away quietly on Monday, July 16, 2018, at the Boundary Waters Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, July 25 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by her son, Bob (Marie) Banovetz; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Byron V. Marjamaa

Byron “Tyke” Vincent Marjamaa, 60, of Cook, passed away on Monday, July 23, 2018.ÊA funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 30 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. IntermentÊwill be in the Willow Valley Cemetery.Ê

Byron was born to John and Dagmar (Niemi) Marjamaa on Aug. 27, 1957. He grew up and attended school in Cook.ÊByron was a logger and worked most of his life for Luecken Logging. He was also a talented small motor mechanic. Byron had a love for people, and he was a friend to everyone who met him. Everyone knew him as the “moped guy”. Byron was a man with a huge heart; this was evident in the love that he showed his cats. Above all, Byron loved his brother Roger, with whom he spent most of his time. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his brothers, Roger Marjamaa of Angora and Jim Rinne of Sparks, Nev.; sister-in-law, Joy McKenzie; nephews, Eddie Rinne and Jason Rinne; niece, Elaine Donavan; andÊnumerous cousins.

Byron was preceded in death by his parents.