Obituaries: May 22, 2020

Beverly J. Kmett
Beverly Jane Kmett, 82, died peacefully at her Lake Vermilion home surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. A private service was held for the immediate family only on Saturday, May 16 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, with a larger celebration of life to be scheduled later. Memorials may be directed to Salolampi, the Virginia Kaleva, and the Essentia Health - St. Mary’s Hospice program.
Beverly was born on Dec. 12, 1937, in Chisholm, to parents Anton “Tony” Kallio and Ellen (Paavola) Kallio. She was soon joined by brothers Richard “Dick” and Darrell. She lived on the Kallio dairy farm until her parents moved to Linden Grove, to own and operate the local IGA Foodliner.
Beverly attended Cook High School, graduating in 1955 as Class Valedictorian. At her father’s insistence to pursue a higher education, she attended St. Luke’s Nursing School in Duluth. She graduated from the rigorous 36-month program as a Registered Nurse. Beverly did practical training at Moose Lake State Hospital, and then applied her intelligence, work ethic and attention to detail in positions at the U.S. Army Hospital in Nuremburg, Germany, the Cook Hospital, the Virginia Hospital, the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis, Mercy Hospital in Fridley and finally, 25 years at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, where she was the head surgical nurse.
Beverly started a lifelong romance with Ronald James Kmett at the Nieters’ wedding dance at the Linden Grove Town Hall while home from her studies at nursing school. They were united in marriage on Nov. 28, 1959, the start of a 60-year adventure. Together they raised two children, Michael (Jodi) Kmett of St. Peter and Christine (Tim) Lacasse of Stacey.
Beverly and Ron entertained a bewildering number of friends and relatives at their homes in Minneapolis, Spring Lake Park, New Brighton, White Bear Lake and most of all, at the Kallio cabin on Lake Vermilion which was replaced by a beautiful home where the couple had resided in a vibrant retirement since 1997. That is, when they weren’t spending the winters in Manzanillo, Mexico, for 34 years.
Beverly quietly went about her business and accumulated many personal accomplishments in her lifetime. She was the mother of two, and proud “Aïti” to five grandchildren, Mick and Tori Kmett, and Tyler, Jarett and Coty Ross. She was also particularly attached to her nieces and nephew, Karleen, Beth Ann, Renee, Margo and Beau.
Beverly was an avid reader, boater, birder, horticulturist, cook and swimmer. In fact, she made it a practice to swim 1,200 strokes a day in the ocean while in Mexico. Her retirement was confirmed by using her nurse’s shoes as flower planters. She was a volunteer in community activities such as the Cook Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop and Cook All-Class Reunion Scholarship committee.
Beverly was a Finn. She embraced her Finnish heritage with a passion. Finnish was her first language, and she was fluent in English as well. She served on the board of directors of Salolampi, the Finnish Language Village in Bemidji, was active in the Knights and Ladies of Kaleva in Virginia, visited relatives in Finland three times, attended many FinnFests, helped organize frequent “suomen serku” reunions and mastered Finnish foods such as piirrakka and kropsua.
Beverly is survived by her husband, Ronald; brother, Dick; sisters-in-law, Arlene and Teri; son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Jodi; daughter, Christine and son-in-law, Tim; grandchildren, Mick, Tori, Tyler, Jarett and Coty; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a legion of friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Tony; mother, Ellen; brother, Darrell; and sister-in-law, Sharon (Flank).

Susan E. Wolfe
Susan Elizabeth Wolfe, 79, of Cook, passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Sue leaves a legacy of caring and peace to all with whom she came in contact. A private family service will be held at Mlaker Funeral Home followed by a public service at Trinity Lutheran Church at a later date. Memorial suggestion is to pay it forward to a person in need. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
Susan was born on April 13, 1941, in St. Louis, Mo., the second child of Georgia Elizabeth Brown Christian and Simeon Alfred Christian. Both her parents were educators. The family moved to Rochester, where Sue graduated from high school in 1959. College years were spent at Northern Iowa University where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in Art. Her teaching career began in the Minnetonka schools, extended to Lawton, Okla., Hibbing, Orr, Nett Lake and Cook schools. She retired in 2003 with most of her career in first-grade and second-grade teaching.
In 1964, Sue married Raymond Bernard Wolfe. They began their family of Steven, Elizabeth and Sarah in New Hope, moving to Hibbing and then to Cook in 1981. The family owned and operated Little Sweden Resort on Lake Vermilion for 15 years. Retirement was in the Cook-area property Sue called “sweet birches”. Grandchildren came and Sue’s life narrowed from volunteering on many local boards and service groups to devotion to her four grandchildren’s development in arts and fun activities. Sue’s love of swimming, painting, wildlife and nature kept her active, learning and sharing her talents. She was always grateful for a life of variety and plenty.
Sue is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ray; son, Steven Wolfe (Lisa); daughters, Beth Cook (John) and Sarah Grebenc (James); grandchildren, Kristin, Jack and Brandon Cook, and Jose Wolfe.
She was preceded in passing by her parents; brother, David; and sister, Alice.

Robert Alcorn
Robert “Craig” Alcorn, 74, of Buyck, left us on Thursday, May 14, 2020, at 2:20 a.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. There will be a private celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Craig lived a full life. He was born in Iowa Falls, Iowa, on Dec. 12, 1945. Even in his boyhood, he was determined to live a life of adventure. He was an avid Boy Scout, from which he took with him the knowledge of survival in the woods. He would always like to refer back to the Boy Scouts when telling his loved ones about anything to do with the woods.
As a young man, Craig joined the U.S. Navy and served his country for many years. His adventures continued overseas. He saw wonders and devastation while in the Navy but as he always said, it made him a stronger man in life. When he would talk about his fun adventures it would start with “Lauren and I.” He had many stories to share that would always leave his family laughing and sometimes impressed. He certainly knew how to live.
He was never in short supply of some good advice. Craig would always say he had the best advice to give. He would say Hawaiian shirts are the best to wear. He really loved them; he had closets full of them. He loved fly fishing and talked about how peaceful and calming it was; you would always find him in nature. Craig found himself working at the Cook Hospital as a CNA when he met his future wife, Evelyn, and was soon to be a dad to three teenage daughters.
He always said that having his family was his favorite adventure in life. He loved teaching his girls and grandbabies about the outdoors and how to survive. Now we have a strong kind guardian watching over all of us, family and friends. He will be at rest at his pond on his land. He will never be far from our minds. We all love and miss you dad, grandpa, husband, brother and best friend. Be at rest, we will see you again someday.
Craig is survived by his family: sisters, Trudy (Dennis) Cadman and Cindy Alcorn; wife of 13 years of love, Evelyn K. Blentlinger Alcorn; son, Kenny Cordle of Ohio; daughters, Stacey (Thaddeus Buroker) Cordle, Kayla (Cordle) Heino and Ashley Cordle; two beautiful nieces who live on the west coast; and his beloved grandchildren: four grandsons, Joseph Cordle, Ronan Cordle, Chayton Heino and Robert Ritchie; three granddaughters, Evee Cordle, Sita Buroker and Laina Heino; and many friends and family who will miss him.
He was preceded in death by his two sons, Grant Alcorn and Mathew Alcorn; father, Robert Leroy Alcorn; and mother, Molly Alice Alcorn.

Edith Eidelbes
Edith Eidelbes, 89, of Tower, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at Carefree Living in Virginia. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Edith was born on March 21, 1931, in Erie Township, Minnesota, to Oscar and Esther Stenvik. She lived on the family farm until her marriage to Robert Eidelbes in 1948. They moved to Tower in 1953 and Edith had resided there until her recent move to Carefree Living.
Edith was a longtime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. She was active in choir, the Lutheran Church Women’s Group and the Homecraft Club. Sewing, baking, quilting, gardening, and following her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities were special interests of hers.
Edith is survived by her children, Rod Eidelbes (Mary) of Grand Rapids, Nancy Kotzian (Tim) of Tower, Debra Cathcart (Charles) of Lakeville and Lyle Eidelbes (Tiina) of Grand Rapids; two sisters, Elsie Dahl and Doris Mosher (Ben) of Tower; sister-in-law, Lorraine Stenvik of Goodridge; grandchildren, Mike Eidelbes (Becky), Kelly Broking (Joe), Jeb Kotzian (Bobbi), Lucas Kotzian (Darci), Jordan Kotzian, Peter Cathcart, Nathan Cathcart, Zach Eidelbes (Amy) and Erinn Eidelbes; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert J. Eidelbes; grandsons, Aaron Kotzian and Robb Eidelbes; four brothers and two sisters.

Michael R. Ahola
Michael Robert Ahola, 60, of Fort Worth, Texas, originally of Orr, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 8, 2020. Following Mike’s wish, he will be cremated, and the family will hold a private gathering in Minnesota, with the date and time to be determined. In place of gifts and flowers, the family requests donations to Dallas Dogs RRR at https://www.dallasdogrrr.org/donate in his honor.
Mike was born on June 18, 1959, in Grand Rapids, to Robert and Loretta (Beckers) Ahola. He grew up and attended K-12 in Orr before serving in the United States Army. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in Honduras and Belgium. After serving, he worked as an Electrical/Communications Engineer.
Mike had a passion for dog and pet rescue. He and his wife Barbara often fostered, and consistently adopted each foster dog. Mike and Barbara frequently traveled, and he enjoyed immersing himself in the history and culture of the region. Mike also loved WWII history, reading, hunting and fishing.
Mike is survived by his wife, Barbara; parents, Robert and Loretta Ahola; children, Michael (Chrissy) Ahola, Patrick Ahola and Katie Ahola; sister, Wendy (Jeff) Purdy; brother, Jon Ahola; stepchildren, Michael Young and Richard (Amanda) Young; grandchildren, Felix and Finley; numerous extended family members; a herd of dogs; and many friends.

Rodney Skube
Rodney “Hot Rod” Skube, 52, of Ely, passed away on Monday, May 11, 2020, at Essentia Health Hospital in Duluth. Private services will be held at a later date at the Ely Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ely Baseball Association, PO Box 484, Ely, MN 55731 or the Ely Blue Line Club, South 4th Ave. East, Ely, MN 55731.
He is survived by his mother, Margaret Skube of Duluth; sisters, Roxanne (Dennis and daughter Katrina) Korman of Cloquet, Renata (Steve) Skube of Duluth, Rhonda (Scott and son Owen) Strum of Duluth and Renee (Matt and children Henry, Claire and Abby) Beaumier of Duluth; brothers, Richard Skube of St. Louis Park and Randy Skube (Becki and son Nicholas) of Minnetonka; and special cousin, Greg (Jodi and daughter Lindsey) of Bovey.

Ray G. Stevens
Ray G. Stevens, 95, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, died on Saturday, May 2, 2020, in the Edgewood Vista Senior Living Community in Virginia. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Minnesota Shriners Children Hospital, 2025 East River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Carlon Stevens; children, Don (Della) Stevens of Circle Pines, JoAnne (Jim) Lewis of Steamboat Springs, Colo., and Richard (Eva) Stevens of Mound; daughter-in-law, Liz Stevens of Virginia; siblings, Katherine Hofmann of Roseville, Jane Prout of Cloquet and Bob (Danielle) Stevens of Cloquet; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.