Obituaries: June 5, 2026

Toni L. Floyd
Toni Lea Bellissimo Floyd, 76, of Ely, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026, in Eagles Nest Township. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 22 at Ely United Methodist Church with visitation one hour before. Memorial donations can be directed to the Conquer Cancer Foundation or flowers sent to the church.
Toni was born on Sept. 2, 1949, in Houston, Texas, the daughter of the late Anthony P. and Lillian Irene Bellissimo. Her family moved to Maryland when she was eight years old and she spent most of her formative years there. In adulthood, she led a busy life devoted to children. She worked for Head Start as a social service assistant for 20 years. Raising four young boys on her own while also working was no easy task. After Rich came into her life, she gained yet another boy and a girl. Rich had periodic sea duty, so her task of raising six children (all teenagers at one point), often on her own, was daunting, but she handled it and handled it well.
Toni resigned her position with Head Start in 1998 when Rich resigned from the NOAA Commissioned Corps, and they moved to the Ely area. Having dabbled in quilting for a long time, in retirement she could devote many hours a day to it. She started a group in the Methodist Church called Quilts for At-risk Kids. During her time with the group, they produced hundreds of quilts that were delivered to area foster care agencies.
Toni loved to talk. Before they met, Toni and Rich each had boys in Cub Scouts. It so happened that Toni was the den mother and Rich was the assistant pack master. At the time, Rich was traveling a lot for work and never showed up for meetings. Finally, he did. Toni gave several reports for den mothers who were absent. Jokingly, Rich turned to a common friend and said, “Doesn’t she ever shut up?” It was no joke to Toni, who took it seriously! How they ever got together is another story.
Toni was the beloved wife of Richard P. Floyd for 46 years; she is also survived by her children, George G. Cravaritis, Peter N. Cravaritis, Anthony P. Cravaritis and Robert D. Cravaritis; and stepchildren, Jeffrey R. Floyd and Audra M. Floyd Dugue. She will be dearly missed by Rich, her family and friends.

Carrie Knuutti
Carrie Hegfors Knuutti, 69, a lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Essentia Health Hospital from natural causes. Per her request, there will be no service, but a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Her wish was to be cremated and interred in the Ely Cemetery with a private family service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Allan; sister, Claire Dryke (Chester); brother, Lee Hegfors (Barbara); niece, Danielle Dryke; nephew, Jeremy Hegfors (Sarah) and their son Kaladin; niece, Kimberly Lerum (Ty); and many cousins and friends.

Michael B. Carlson
Michael “Mike” B. Carlson, 75, of Bellevue, Wis., unexpectedly passed away on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, at his home. A memorial fund has been established in Michael’s name. Burial with military rites will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 5 at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. A celebration of life will follow at the Hideaway in Babbitt from 12 to 2 p.m. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Patrice “Pepper” Carlson; and siblings, Laurie (Paul) Kess, Beth (Andy) Haasl, David (Pam) Carlson, William Santeramo and David Santeramo.

James A. Erkkila
James Arthur “Blister” Erkkila, 64, of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Babbitt Carefree Living. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 5 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow in the church basement. Burial will be in the Argo Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Aurora.
He is survived by his siblings, Kathy (Gary) Dale of Warroad and Monica (Rob) Curtiss of Babbitt; nephews, Gerald (Katie) Dale of Warroad, Chad (Janel) Dale of Roseau and Jim (Kristen) Lesemann of Proctor; nieces, Pam Lesemann of Mounds View and Emily (Craig) Seliskar of Ely; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Randy Bartell
Randy Bartell, 66, of Babbitt, passed away suddenly from a heart attack on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Services will be held at noon on Saturday, June 20 at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Babbitt. A lunch will be held at The Junction following the service. Burial will be held at a later time for the family.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Angela; son, Robert; four grandchildren; mother, Barbara; sister, Linda Huff; and brothers, Rick, Allen and Darrell Jr. 

MaryAnn Knutson
MaryAnn Knutson, 97, of Babbitt, passed away Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at Deerfield Gables in New Richmond, Wis. Arrangements are being made with Range Funeral Home of Virginia.

Michael R. Marquette
Michael Raymond Marquette, 76, of Tower, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2026. Services are pending with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.