Obituaries: October 19, 2025

Terry Lee Kylmala
Terry Lee Kylmala, 81, of Embarrass, peacefully passed away at Essentia Health - St. Mary’s in Duluth on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Timber Hall in Embarrass from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be served starting at 11:30 a.m. The family encourages all to wear a flannel shirt, Terry’s favorite kind of shirt. The family requests memorials to the Embarrass Region Volunteer Fire Department or Sisu Heritage Inc. Arrangements are with Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora.
Terry was born on Nov. 16, 1943, to Reino and Alice Hayden Kylmala.
He served in the U.S. Navy in the Seabees. Terry married Doris Seppala and they moved to Embarrass. He and Doris started and ran Kylmala Truss until their retirement.
Terry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Doris; son, Keith Kylmala of Duluth; daughter, Kristie Kylmala of Virginia; and siblings, Michael (Connie) Kylmala, Nancy (Joe) Skerjance, and Laura Ann (John) Halvorson.
He was preceded in death by parents; sisters, Gail and Susan; and brother, Richard.

Mary Richards
Mary Schuler Richards, 87, previously of Cook and Edina, died peacefully at a memory care facility in West St. Paul on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, surrounded by family. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Edina with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A lunch and private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to: St. Croix Hospice, Hospice Support Foundation, Attn: Mary Mimay, 1175 Center Pointe Circle, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 or College of St. Scholastica, Nursing Program Fund, College Advancement Department, 1200 Kenwood Ave., Duluth, MN 55811.
Mary was born on June 18, 1938, in Munich, N.D., one of eleven children. She graduated from Munich High School in 1956. She earned a degree in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and later, a Master of Nursing Education from the University of Minnesota. She married Chuck Richards in 1961 and raised two children. She was a stay-at-home mom until the children were school-aged and then continued her nursing career.
She held various nursing positions: pediatrics, public health, elementary school nurse and finally, nursing instructor for 25 years at Normandale Community College in Bloomington. Mary contributed a chapter to a nursing textbook and wrote articles for nursing publications.
Chuck and Mary retired to their home on Lake Vermilion in 2001. Mary was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. She enjoyed bible study, baking, book club, sewing, and volunteering at the thrift shop. She traveled the world. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her children and four grandsons.
Mary is survived by her children, Nancy Randolph (Daniel) and Greg Richards (Sandy); grandsons, Kyle Randolph (Nicole), Collin Randolph, Gavin Richards, and Garrett Richards; several siblings; and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Chuck Richards; and several family members.

Dave E. Nelson
Dave E. Nelson, 69, of Babbitt, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Dave was born on Dec. 9, 1955. He was a 1974 graduate of Babbitt High School. The family gets together every summer for Christmas in July. Dave really enjoyed these gatherings. A private celebration of Dave’s life will be held in July of 2026. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home of Virginia.
Dave is survived by his siblings, Diane (Fred) Cooke, Mike (Vicki) Nelson, Sherry (Gene) Maki, Kevin (Mary) Nelson, Steve Nelson, Robert Nelson, and Judy (Steve) Ginther; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Darold and Carole Nelson.

William E. King
William E. King, 94, of Virginia, died on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025. A private family service will be officiated by Jared Bangs at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook with the American Legion Post 480 presenting the flag. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society-Hope Lodge, 2500 4th Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55404. 
He is survived by Laurie King of Lakeville; two grandchildren, Tyler and Jayme; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Keith A. Rhein
Keith Alan Rhein, 67, formerly of Ely, passed away at his home in Coon Rapids on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. A memorial visitation, with no formal service, was held at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel on Monday, Oct. 6 with a gathering time afterward at Rum River Hills Golf Club to share stories, laughter and memories.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Mavetz Rhein; daughter, Bethany (Jeff) Brunton of Rochester; son, Matthew (Julia) Rhein of Richfield; grandchildren, Olivia and Myles Brunton and Nina Rhein; sister, Susan (Wayne) Karge of Anchorage, Alaska; brother, Gregory Rhein of Ely; sisters-in law, Diana Petrich (Curtiss Hinden) and Janice (Todd) Guenther; brother-in law, John (Tracey) Mavetz; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Patricia J. Lindberg
Patricia Joan Crowley Lindberg, 92, of Virginia, formerly of Wakemup Bay Village on Lake Vermilion, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at Edgewood Vista in Virginia. Private family graveside services will be held in the Cook Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her son, John (Mary) Lindberg; daughters, Susan (August) Carstens and Sheila (Mark Perkio) Lindberg; grandchildren, Trevor (Ann) Carstens, Carrie Carstens, Lloyd (Nicole) Lindberg, Hunter Lokken, and Samuel Lokken; and nine great-grandchildren.

Donald J. Bonnette
Donald “Jim” James Bonnette, 80, of Angora, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. A celebration of life with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Lunch and fellowship will follow at the VFW in Cook immediately after the service. Interment will be delayed until July of 2026 at the Alango Cemetery.
He is survived by his wife, Geraldine “Jeri” Fay Bonnette; sons, John (Heather Halvorson) and James (Katie); grandchildren, Mackenzi (Anthony Chiles), Brady, Elizabeth, and Benjamin; great-granddaughter, Emma; brothers, Rick (Irene) and Steve (Hillary); sister, Linda (Lee); and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

John B. Pouchnik
John B. Pouchnik, 77, of Ely, passed away on Monday, Sept. 29, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Family services are provided by Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Gornik Pouchnik; sisters-in-law, Nancy (Doug) McReady and Karen (Pat) Jankowski; brothers-in-law, Bob (Carol) Gornik and Tom McPherson; nieces and nephews; and multiple cousins and friends.

Joseph Paoletti
Joseph “Al” Paoletti, 86, longtime resident of Orr, died peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, at Clarehouse Hospice in Tulsa, Okla. Arrangements are being made through Range Funeral Home of Virginia.