Obituaries: November 24, 2024

Robert E. Miettunen
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Edward Miettunen, 82, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. He was a man of strength, dedication, and unwavering love for his family. A celebration of life is being planned for family and close friends in Ithaca, New York, in the summer of 2024. Arrangements are with Cremation Services Direct of Myrtle Beach, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor our dad’s memory are asked to contribute to Grandma Gini’s Coffee... And Fund. All that our dad wanted was for our mom to be happy and taken care of. She enjoys her daily walk to a marketplace near her home called Market Commons to get her steps in and to get a coffee and sweets. She has her favorite places where the staff know her and take care of her. Coffee... And gives her joy.
Bob was born on May 2, 1941, in Soudan and raised in Tower-Soudan. A proud alumnus of the University of Minnesota, he graduated with a B.S. in Engineering in 1969. His first career venture involved working in support of the NASA Apollo missions. Later, his expertise led him to Xi’an, China, where he spent six years developing a joint venture for GTE/Sylvania. Bob retired from SONY in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 2000.
Bob’s greatest passion besides his family was playing and coaching ice hockey. He was his son Rob’s travel hockey coach for many years, a position that took the Miettunen family all over upstate New York and Canada. Years later, he coached his grandson Cameron’s hockey team in Geneseo, N.Y. His coaching and mentoring had a positive impact on his players; he was a second father/grandfather to many. He also passed down his love of hockey to his grandchildren and took pride in watching all of them play at various levels, including collegiate.
Bob was a talented hockey player himself, playing in his youth and in his retirement years with his beloved Gray Wolves Hockey Club. For many years, he made the trip from Rochester to Skaneateles, N.Y., to play with the Gray Wolves and traveled to “Gerihatricks” tournaments along the East Coast. He was active as a player with the Gray Wolves until his move to South Carolina in 2021.
Bob was a master woodworker and cabinet maker. He spent many hours in his workshop designing and building furniture. Many of these pieces are cherished by his family and close friends.
Bob was a man who believed in enjoying life. He often found joy spending time golfing with family and friends, and vacationing in Maine, his favorite destination, creating cherished memories with those he loved. Once retired, he and Gini enjoyed many travel adventures with his two cousins, Diana and Karen, including trips to Finland, Ireland and Nova Scotia.
Bob was extremely proud of his Finnish heritage and enjoyed passing on Finnish traditions and culture to his children and grandchildren. He epitomized the Finnish trait of sisu, which can be translated into English as “strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity”.
Bob’s life was a testament to hard work, perseverance, and an enduring love for his family. His presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege to know him, and his spirit will continue to live on through the many lives he has touched.
Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Gini Miettunen, born and raised in Ely, to whom he was married for more than 60 years. Their love story was the foundation upon which their family grew, encompassing two loving daughters, Juli Hatlee (Michael) and Kristi Hughes (Shawn), and a devoted son, Rob Miettunen (Claudia). His legacy continues through his precious grandchildren, Brendan Hatlee (Courtney), Ian Hatlee (Alex), Michaela Houston (Amanda), Allison Miettunen (AJ), Juliette Miettunen (Brady), Robbie Miettunen, Cameron Hughes, Makenna Hughes and Parker Hughes; and great-granddaughters, Harlow Hatlee and Madeleine Hatlee, who brought him much joy.
He was predeceased by his parents, Julia and Edward Miettunen, and carries their memory with him.

Tra’von R. Boshey
Tra’von Raymond Boshey, age 17, of Tower, an amazing big/little brother, son, cousin and friend died Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. 
Tribal Rites were held on Sunday, November 19, 2023 at the Vermilion Wellness Center. Vernon Adams was the Spiritual Advisor. Burial will follow in the Bois Forte Vermilion Cemetery. Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Tra’von was born on April 13, 2006 to Amber Boshey and Roba Mohamed.
Tra’von is survived by his parents Amber Boshey and Roba Mohamed; brothers Davonte Boshey, Omari Mohamed, Hunter Petersen, Esknder Roba, Akram Roba, and Adil Roba; sister Aiyeshia Mohamed; paternal grandparents Ahmed Omar and Amina Adem; maternal grandparents Kim Day and Dale Boshey, Sr.; and numerous extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Ray and Gloria Boshey.
He was amazing to everyone he had crossed paths with. We loved to watch you grow into the amazing person you were.  Tra’von was very smart, athletic, funny outgoing; the list will never end. Your laugh would light up the room and make everyone smile. Tra’von loved to play basketball, any chance he could get, but only with his boys. He had plans on joining the basketball team this year, we were all so excited to cheer him on.  We wish we were able to watch you and your career flourish. We will always cheer for you that will never stop.

Richard R. Tornow Sr.
Richard “Dick’” Roy Tornow Sr., 81, of Baxter, formerly of Embarrass, passed away on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church in Baxter. Arrangements were with Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lucy; children, Richard Jr. (Denise), David (Rahna) and Melissa (Jim); sister, Kathy (LeRoy) Hamberg; brother, Charles (Betty); grandchildren, Angela, Aaron, Brittany, Caleb, Ricky, James, Wade, Johnathon, Jordan and Fayth; eight great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Millard J. Kendrick
Millard John Kendrick, 77, of Embarrass, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, at his residence. Funeral arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Marie A. Seopa
Marie A. Seopa, 79, of Cook, passed away on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The celebration will continue immediately after the service, with lunch served at the South Switch in Angora.

Mark D. Duame
Mark Doyle “Muk” Duame, 61, of Mt. Iron, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Lunch and fellowship will follow at the VFW in Cook. 
Mark was born on June 6, 1962, in Virginia, to Dennis and Jill Menelli Duame. He grew up and lived on Lake Vermilion beside Duame’s Marina. After high school, Mark’s adventurous and fearless love to travel led him to take a construction job at Larsen Bay Lodge on Kodiak Island in Alaska. When he returned home, he continued his carpenter career; he had been a member of Carpenters Local 606 since 1998 and most recently working for Alesch Construction.
Mark never gave up his love of traveling and considered himself a “wanderer”. Among his other adventures, he was able to return to Kodiak Island a few times during his life. Another of his memorable trips was taking the Amtrak to California with his grandpa Russell.
In his younger years, Mark enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a naturally talented artist; he could pick up anything and draw it. He also painted and was an excellent woodworker. He made many items that he loved to give to other people, including a rocking chair for his niece Kayla. Mark was a history buff and enjoyed anything to do with old military memorabilia. If he was watching TV, it was usually a war history show.
Mark enjoyed getting together with family and friends and also enjoyed going to different functions. Mark had a great sense of humor; he enjoyed razzing people and drawing some questionable, but humorous, birthday cards for his family. He mischievously enjoyed being sarcastic, but in good form. Mark’s family lovingly remembers him as “a really good guy with a kind heart”. He will be dearly missed by all.
Mark is survived by his wife, Tammy Duame; daughter, Ashley (Alex) St. Clair and their children Rian and Brooks; stepson, Kyle Aune; siblings, Mike (Kathy) Duame, Lisa Holter and Brian Duame; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Jill Duame; aunt, Susan Mattson; and two brothers-in-law, Gary Bamberg and James “Ding” Holter.
This obituary is being reprinted due to using the incorrrect photograph.

Luvern Sauerbry
Luvern “Dutch” Sauerbry, 96, longtime Lake Vermilion summer resident, passed away on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, to reunite with his beloved best friend, Lois. Memorial donations can be made in honor of Dutch to the Fisher House Foundation, part of the Minneapolis VA.
Dutch and Lois bought a tiny cabin on Pine Island in 1969, later building a new cabin in the same bay. Lake Vermilion was truly their happy place. They found great joy in entertaining family and friends at the lake. If you knew them, please raise a glass to toast their wonderful life together. Dutch will raise a Manhattan back to you!
Dutch is survived by his daughter, Jane (Mike) Travis; sons, Steve (Laurie) Sauerbry and Jim (Sarah) Sauerbry; eight grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
This obituary is being reprinted due to using the incorrrect photograph.