Obituaries: March 21, 2025

Charles Richards
Charles “Chuck” Richards, 86, of Cook, and previously of Edina, died peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, surrounded by family. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Meetinghouse Church (formerly Colonial Church) in Edina, followed by lunch and a private burial. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to support the Cook Hospital’s WC Heiam Medical Foundation.
Chuck was born in Joliet, Ill., on Nov. 12, 1938. He grew up in Virginia and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Chuck spent 37 years working at the Hennepin County Medical Center, starting as a pharmacist and rising to the position of Chief Operating Officer. A few of his many accomplishments included planning and supervising the building of the “new” hospital and the certification of HCMC as a Level 1 Trauma Center.
 Chuck retired to the home that he and Mary built on Lake Vermilion in Cook. The lake was his happy place, where he loved being outdoors, feeding birds, touring the lake in his boat, pulling his grandsons on water skis, maintaining the road with his tractor, and meeting people around the world on his ham radio.
Chuck is survived and missed by his wife of 63 years, Mary Schuler Richards; children, Nancy (Daniel) Randolph and Greg (Sandy) Richards; grandchildren, Kyle (Nicole) Randolph, Collin Randolph, Gavin Richards and Garrett Richards; siblings, Marijane (Jeff) Porupsky and Beverly (Tim) Altman; and other family and friends.
 
Elizabeth E. Nikkinen
Elizabeth E. Nikkinen, 78, of Aurora, formerly of Virginia and Ely, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Essentia Health in Virginia. A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 20 at the Chapel in Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Virginia with Pastor Marion Rova officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Lori Ekman, Steve Ekman, Debbie Bodine, Mark Bodine and Mary Bodine. Burial was in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Elizabeth was born on April 11, 1946, in Ely, to Tauno and Ruth Martin Nikkinen and attended school there. Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with her family and watching TV.
Survivors include nieces, Lori (Steve) Ekman of Lakeland and Debbie Bodine of Virginia; nephew, Mark (Mary) Bodine of Babbitt; cousins, Shelby Sorbye and Darrell Nikkinen, both of Florida, Leonard Pete of Ely and Gail (Tom) Carlson of Embarrass; great-nieces, Kristina (Sean) Peyla and family, Erika Ekman, Samantha (Luke) O’Neil, Kelly (Jonathen) Norton and Kari Bodine; and great-nephew, Andrew (Tayler) Ekman.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Paulette Bodine.

Margaret E. Gentile
Margaret Emily “Peggy” Gentile, 81, of Cook, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12 at First Baptist Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Dean W. Buchanan
Dean William Buchanan, 93, of Lake Vermilion-Cook, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Cook Hospital from pancreatic cancer. The family would like to thank Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice East Range for their excellent care and compassion while assisting in his care at home. A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, May 31 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation is at 10 a.m. followed by the 11 a.m. service. A luncheon will follow the service at the Cook Community Center.  Memorials may be directed to Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice East Range or the Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade. 
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sandi; children, Jodi (Jim) Smith, Chad Buchanan and Rae Anne (Jim) Zupetz; grandchildren, Natalie, McKenzie, Austin, Michael, Bo, Jack, Mitchell and Jacie; great-granddaughter, Charlotte, and another great-grandchild arriving in July.

Lois Luoma Lind
Lois “Sis” Widner Luoma Lind, 88, formerly of Pelican River, Orr, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Bradenton, Fla., with family by her side. In accordance with Lois’s wishes, a private service will be held in the spring.
She is survived by her husband, Clint Lind; children, John (Tammy) Luoma and Debbie (John) Novak, both of Orr, and Connie (Glenn) Pearson of Eveleth and Bradenton, Fla.; grandchildren, Michael Novak of Robbinsdale, Grant (Nicky) of Sturgis, S.D., Brandon Luoma of Britt, Terry (Kezia) Luoma and Carah (Micah) Lynch, both of Eveleth; stepchildren; step-grandchildren; special god-daughter, Angelene (Pat) Aker of Orr; brothers; sisters; a half-brother; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.