Obituaries: July 25, 2025

Arlene C. Olson
Arlene Carolyn Olson, 89, of Virginia, died on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Carefree Living in Aurora. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Soudan. In lieu of flowers, Arlene requested gifts to the Hannah Olson Memorial Library at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia or to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Soudan. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Arlene was born on Aug. 19, 1935, in Soudan, the daughter of Swan H. and Fanny A. Torkko Branwall, and stepfather, Axel Branwall. She grew up in Soudan and graduated as valedictorian of the Tower-Soudan High School class of 1953. After high school, Arlene moved to Duluth, where she earned her certification as a medical technologist. She worked in Duluth and Minneapolis upon completion of her certificate.
On Sept. 6, 1958, she married Richard T. Olson, of Tower, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Soudan. Together, they lived in San José, Calif., Chisholm, and Minneapolis while Richard completed his medical training. In 1969, they settled in Virginia, where Richard was an ophthalmologist at the East Range Clinic. The family spent wonderful years at their cabin on Lake Vermilion. Arlene devoted much of her time to raising her three children and volunteering in the community. In later years, Arlene worked at Woodward’s Yarn and Bookstore in the Thunderbird Mall, a job she loved until the store closed.
Arlene will be remembered for her deep love of baking and cooking, especially her Finnish cardamom bread, from a treasured family recipe, that she loved to share with family and friends. She loved to sew and was a skilled knitter who created countless beautiful sweaters, socks, hats, and dolls for loved ones. An avid reader, Arlene read widely but especially enjoyed mysteries and kept up with the news daily through newspapers and magazines. A devoted member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church for over 50 years, Arlene volunteered faithfully to maintain and grow the church library. She also loved birdwatching, particularly the chickadees, loons, and great blue herons she often spotted during quiet moments at Lake Vermilion.
Arlene is survived by her children, Carrie A. Olson of Denver, Colo., Eric (Karen) Olson of Tower, and Andrew (Naima) Olson of Roseville; grandchildren, Ekaterina Olson Shipyatsky, Gunnar Olson, Gavin (Brianne) Olson, Finn Olson, and Samia Olson; great-granddaughter, Hazel Olson; nieces and nephews, Scott (Marilyn) Kregness, Jorgine (Franklin) Gornick, Karen (Ward) Patterson, and Barbara (Steven) Burgess; and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather, Axel Branwall; husband, Richard; and sister, Laurene “Rena” Kregness.

David R. Rahkola
David Regan Rahkola, 69, of Maple Grove, originally of Embarrass, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, June 5, 2025. A burial ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 28 at Fort Snelling Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Embarrass Town Hall.
He is survived by his wife, Debra “DeDe” Shindler Brown; brother, Richard (Kathy) Rahkola; sisters, Randi (Alan) Niemi and Rochelle Rahkola; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marilyn A. Scott
Marilyn Annabelle “Missy” Scott, 77, of Crane Lake, died on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at her home after navigating a long battle with Alzheimer’s. A celebration of life will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 25 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Angora. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Angora. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Marilyn was born on Sept. 30, 1948, in Virginia, to Olaf and Doris Hokkanen. She graduated from Cook High School and shortly after was married to Robert Scott of Crane Lake. They gave birth to three kids, Julia, Robert and Anna. Marilyn and Robert moved around the country many times during Robert’s Navy career. When stationed in Florida, Marilyn became a Registered Nurse at the University of Jacksonville Nursing School. She had a long successful career in various hospitals across the country, primarily as a special care nurse. Throughout their Navy career time, Marilyn was known for going above and beyond as a Navy wife in the service of others. In their various stations, she frequently assisted families with homemade food and support. Following Robert’s retirement, they settled in Crane Lake where they continued to run the family business, Scott’s Peaceful Valley Resort. 
 All who knew her speak of her kindness and generosity toward others. Marilyn was a stranger to no one, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. She will be missed but leaves behind a legacy of love. She loved the quote, “Make the world a bit better or more beautiful because you have lived in it.”
She is survived by her husband, Robert Scott; children, Julia, Robert, and Anna; grandchildren, Shelby and Nicholas; great-grandchildren, Liliana and Benjamin; sisters, Twila and Carolyn; and brothers, Jerry and John.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Olaf and Doris Hokkanen; and sisters, Kim and Glinda.

Mary A. Rozman
Mary Ann Voit Rozman, 89, of Babbitt, passed away at home surrounded by family on Monday, July 21, 2025. A funeral service will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 31 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Father Charlie Freibohle will officiate at 6 p.m.
She is survived by her children, Susan Dockendorf of Aurora, Mark Dockendorf of Brooklyn Center, Carol Dockendorf (Mark Krmpotich) of St. Paul, Paula (Marvin) Jonas of Babbitt, and Gwen Dockendorf (Mark Nelson) of Champlin; 12 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

Alan C. Saralampi
Alan Curtis Saralampi, 72, of Ely, died in Eveleth of cancer complications on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. A private family military honor service will occur at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw with a small gathering to follow. Alan’s family would like to express a deep appreciation to the VA and hospice services he received at the end of his life. Donations of gift cards for groceries, gas, and cash should go to the Minnesota VA Health Care System (VA.gov). It would be greatly appreciated. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 
He is survived by his wife, Donna Russ Saralampi; siblings, Evie (Davin), Russell and Roger; daughters, Magen and Monica; grandchildren, Michael, Oro, Milo, Megan and Emily.