Obituaries: Nov. 15, 2019

Lorraine E. Connor
Lorraine Elizabeth Connor, 75, of Nett Lake, passed away on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Nett Lake Baptist Church in Nett Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. There will be a meal to share by all immediately following the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Lorraine was born to Lawrence Conner I and Ida Mae Day on July 21, 1944. Lorraine grew up and attended school in Nett Lake and Orr, graduating from Orr High School. She furthered her education by attending Bemidji State University. She became a seamstress and tailor at 18, working for Liberty Garments in Minneapolis. She had a natural talent and was a quick study. She could fashion any kind of garment or professional suit from a pattern and then construct them with machine and hand-tailoring. Lorraine lived and worked in Georgia for a short time before returning to Minnesota.
Lorraine loved to boat, both in Minnesota and Georgia. She also loved to cook large meals for her family when they would visit. Lorraine loved to watch the birds and placed several bird feeders in her yard so that she could enjoy them all year long. Lorraine also enjoyed growing many types of flowers.
Lorraine is survived by her siblings, Jonathan Connor, Daniel Connor, Paul Connor, David Connor, Marybelle Isham, Laura Isham and Esther Connor; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Henry Connor and James Connor; sisters, Gloria Connor and Joyce Skadsheim; and half-siblings, Ruth Isham, Lawrence Connor II and Gladys Goggleye.

Bonnie J. Adams
Bonnie Joy Adams, 63, of Ely and formerly of Virginia, died on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Bauman-Vermilion Funeral Home Chapel. Michael Wefel will officiate. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
She is survived by her special sibling and friend, DeAnn Schatz of Ely; siblings, Cheryl J. Adams of Chisholm, Kathleen (Henry) Sande of Virginia, James (Evie) Adams of Niles, Mich., Kenneth (Marie) Adams of Toney, Ala., Linda (Chuck) Pendgraft of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Patty (Paul) Briardy of Grand Junction, Colo., and Dennis Johnson of Omaha, Neb.; numerous nieces and nephews; and many extended family members and friends.

Scott C. Sickel
Scott C. “Scotty” Sickel, 66, of Cook, died peacefully at his home on Lake Vermilion on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 at Cron-Sheehy Funeral Home in Eveleth with a sharing of memories facilitated by Pastor Jeffrey Jones at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Vicki; son, Craig (Christi) Sickel; daughter-in-law, Tracy Sickel; grandchildren, Kyle, Abigail, Bailey, Jacob, Ethan and Cooper; mother, Ruth Sickel; sister, Cheryl Lammi; brother, Keith (Susan) Sickel; brothers-in-law, Gary (Candy) Butala and Keith (Annette) Butala; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jane S. Planton
Jane S. Planton, 66, longtime resident of Duluth, originally of Soudan, died on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, in Duluth. A Memorial Mass was held on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower with Father Nick Nelson as the celebrant. Inurnment was in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
She is survived by her brother, Jim (Becky) Planton of Lake Vermilion-Soudan; several cousins and friends; and her cats.

Larry Sabart
Larry Sabart, 62, of Pike Township, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, after a five-year battle with numerous illnesses. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Range Funeral Home with a gathering of friends one hour prior to the service. Deacon Brenda Tibbetts will officiate. Friends can also gather on Friday, Nov. 15 at Range Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Ann; daughter, Katie Maki; stepchildren, Michael and Amanda Schug; granddaughter, whose smile always filled his heart with love, Hailey Adams; siblings, David Sabart, Kathy (Larry) Meyer, Thomas (On) Sabart and Linda (Kevin) Haney; in-laws, Bruce (Barbara) Maki and Carron Keenan; sister-in-law, Amy Martinich; and many nieces and nephews.

Thomas H. Smith II
Thomas “Tom” Henry Smith II, 57, passed away in his home with family by his side, on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Lunch will follow at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. “Tom would welcome anyone to be comfortable in their favorite flannel shirt and jeans.”
He is survived by his daughter, Kaitlyn (Bryce); son, Andrew; stepsons, Jason and Eric; granddaughter, Tovi; mother, Carolyn Fendt; sister, Monica; nephews, Scott, Nathan, Victor, Kaleb and Benjamin; uncle, Glen; aunts, Evelyn, Elaine and Gloria; and many special cousins.