Obituaries: Sept. 20, 2019

Melvin W. Hintz Jr.
Melvin William Hintz Jr., 72, of Tower, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, surrounded by family at his daughter’s home in Brooklyn Park. The family extends a very special thanks to Allina Health Hospice & Palliative Care for their support. A Celebration of Mel’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 at St. James Presbyterian Church in Tower. A gathering time for family and friends will begin at 10 a.m. at the church. Inurnment with full military honors will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials are the preferred way to honor Mel’s memory. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. 
Mel was born on Feb. 14, 1947, in Fond du Lac, Wis., the son of Melvin and Arleen (Fink) Hintz Sr. He graduated from West High School in Green Bay, obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Wisconsin State University at Stevens Point, and a Master of Science in Forestry from the University of Wisconsin.
Mel met the love of his life, Ellen Wilson, while attending youth group at the West Moravian Church in Green Bay. The two were married on Dec. 21, 1968. Shortly thereafter, Mel proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. While he was in Vietnam, the couple was blessed by the arrival of their only child, Kristen.
Mel worked for the Bureau of Land Management in Duluth, and 25 years for St. Louis County in the assessing field. He retired as the St. Louis County Assessor in 2008.
Mel was a regular attendee at St. James Presbyterian Church. He was also a very active member, past president, and current director of the Vermilion Lake Association, working on initiatives such as the loon count, cormorant count, shore lunch sites, and invasive species awareness.
Mel deeply loved his family and cherished all times spent together. He was an avid Green Bay Packer fan and outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, biking, and travel. He was thrifty and always willing to lend a helping hand.
Mel is survived and will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Ellen; daughter, Kristen (Jason) Harinen; grandchildren, Karlie, Emma and Drew Harinen; sister, Patricia (Steven) Calhoon; brother-in-law, Arlen (Kathy) Wilson; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ardythe I. Diwishek
Ardythe Irene Diwishek, 80, of Ely Lake, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. A gathering and sharing time to celebrate her life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Private family interment will be in the Cook Community Cemetery.
Ardythe was born on July 9, 1939, in Virginia, the daughter of Ernest and Ailie (Lehto) Nukala. She grew up in Alango, where she attended school and where her family owned the Nukala General Store and Gas Station. After her father’s untimely passing, the family moved to Virginia, where Ardythe graduated from high school. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, worked in the Billy Graham office, and then attended Bethel College. In 1958, she joined the young people’s group called “God’s Invasion Army” of the General Baptist Conference, where she met her future husband, Jerry Diwishek. They were married on July 23, 1960, in Cook. They lived in Virginia for a time, then moved to San Diego, Calif., where she had a day care and they lived for the next 15 years.
They moved back to Northern Minnesota in 1976, and to Britt in 1977, where they built their home and resided the next 30 years. After the redirection of the new four-lane Highway 53 traversed through their homestead, they moved to Ely Lake, where they currently resided. Earlier they had been members of the First Baptist Church in Cook, where Ardythe served as secretary for several years and later were members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Virginia. Ardythe was an active musician, sang in all the choirs, in some trios, played the piano and violin, and was an avid amateur vocalist. She loved doing embroidery, and enjoyed baking, gardening and scrapbooking, along with being an accomplished seamstress. She sewed many items, including blankets, for her family. Ardythe was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother. 
 Ardythe is survived by her husband, Jerry; four children, Valerie Diwishek of Eveleth, Michelle Gribbon of Duluth, John Diwishek of Sauk Rapids and Tim Diwishek of Virginia; sister, Doreen (Arlee) Olson of Cook; and four grandchildren, Casey Diwishek, Alia Gribbon, Chloe Diwishek and Ellie Diwishek.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Marvin Nukala.

Junette L. Larson
Junette Lorraine Larson, 94, of Tower-Soudan, died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, at Vermilion Senior Living in Tower. A Celebration of Life for June will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Soudan with the Rev. Greg Anderson officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.
June was born on June 19, 1925, in Tower, to Ennie (Salmala) and David Anderson. She attended school in Tower-Soudan where she graduated from high school in 1943. June was a devoted, caring and loving wife, mother and friend. She was united in marriage to Richard Dale Larson on Sept. 2, 1944, in Virginia. Her husband Richard passed away on Aug. 20, 2004.
June enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing and knitting. She especially lived for her watercolor painting. She was an accomplished watercolor artist who was known for her “blueberry cards”. She painted until she lost her ability to see. June enjoyed conversing on the phone with friends and especially her baby sister, Jeanie, which she did every night at 6:30 p.m. She did this until she lost the ability to hear.
June was a proud person. She was especially proud of the fact that her two sons, Richard and Steven, were educators of children and young adults with disabilities for a combined total of 72 years.
God gave us this miracle of life and now he took her to be with him forever. June, her son Steven, and daughter-in-law Roberta wish to thank the staff at Vermilion Senior Living, formerly known as Golden Horizons. The staff there made ma’s home in her final year a safer and better place to call home. Your care, devotion and love will never be forgotten. God works through all of us. That was obvious at Vermilion Senior Living. “Big D” - you are a miracle. And finally, Essentia Hospice Team, you are champions at the work you do for families. June Larson is happy, joyous and free.
June is survived by her son, Steven (Roberta); brother, Bernie Anderson; grandchildren, Tom (Kate) Larson, Tina (Bob) Larson and Ben Larson; great-grandchildren, Mollie and Ryan Larson; daughter-in-law, Nancy Larson; very special niece, Nancy Watts; and many other nieces and nephews. June is also survived by her lifelong friends, Aggie Mesojedec and Phyllis Burgess.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ennie and David Anderson; in-laws, Hilliard and Mollie Larson; husband, Richard Dale Larson; son, Richard David Larson; sister, Jeanie Flannigan; brother, Roger Anderson; sister-in-law, Patsy Anderson; and closest friend, Patsy Olson, who is now enjoying coffee and apricot tarts with ma.

Leslie T. Harrison
Leslie Thomas “Tom” Harrison, 70, died peacefully early Monday morning, Sept. 16, 2019, at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. A memorial service will be held this Saturday, Sept. 21 at Hillside Cemetery in Angora. He will be interred next to his wife. A lunch and celebration will follow at the Angora Town Hall, 8936 Highway 1.

Tom was born on Jan. 19, 1949, to John and Ruth Harrison. He was the son of a WWII veteran who remained in the military, and moved the family all over the United States and Germany. Tom graduated from Frankfurt American High School in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1967. After finishing college, he followed in his brothers’ and father’s steps and joined the military, becoming a member of the United States Air Force (USAF). Tom met his future wife, Karen, in 1969. They were married in 1970 on Karen’s 19th birthday. Tom and Karen were stationed in Minot, North Dakota, and Bitburg, West Germany. They established many lifelong friendships in Bitburg and his heart always remained there. After serving in the USAF for eleven years and ranking as a Master Sergeant, Tom and Karen moved to Minnesota to be closer to family.
After the military, Tom was a software engineer at Control Data for a number of years before moving on to help create Ontrack Data Recovery. He was the first employee for the company and became a senior software engineer. Tom and Karen had their three children and settled in Monticello for many years. The family looked forward to special events and weekly traditions, such as homemade pizza and movie night.
In his free time, Tom enjoyed riding motorcycles. After one disastrous and painful family trip out West, which they vowed to never do again, Tom and Karen traveled together, taking annual summer motorcycle trips all over the United States and Canada. Their motorcycle trips often centered around Tom’s love for trains, famous crossings, and gorgeous scenery.
In the last years of his life, Tom suffered from serious health problems. He was cared for by his loving daughters and loved seeing movies with his son. He enjoyed being with his children and their families.
Tom is survived by his three children, Angie Marchio (Paul), Les Harrison (Lydia) and Rachel Joiner (Tim); and six grandchildren, Harrison Marchio, Jude and Claire Harrison, Gabrielle Ramirez, and Miranda and Kennedy Joiner.
He was preceded in death by his parents; six siblings; and beloved wife, Karen (Anderson) Harrison.

Tandy A. Esala
Tandy A. McDermid Esala, 71, of Virginia, passed away on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Pike Township with Pastor Don Stauty officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Private family burial will be in the North Sandy Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her husband, Gary of Virginia; one son, Dean Esala (Heather Lundstrom) of Lake Vermilion-Tower; daughter, Jodi Pontinen of Virginia; six grandchildren, Shania (Allen) Shoars, Gavin Esala, Kennedy Esala, Siri Pontinen, Emily Pontinen and Kate Pontinen; four great-grandchildren, Melody, Issabella, Jackson and Amelia Shoars; two brothers, Bert (Elaine) McDermid and Jack (Lila) McDermid; sister, Cindy McDermid; numerous nieces and nephews; and in-laws, Barbara Heino, Peter Esala, Diane French, Kathy Pitkanen, Thomas Esala and Cindy (Dan) Maki.

Neil J. Schramm
Neil Jerome Schramm, 61, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.  5 at East Moe Lutheran Church in Garfield. A local Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Jennie and Cory Winger’s home in Embarrass. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 
He is survived by his siblings, Susan (Steven) Bradow, Jack (Shelley) Schramm, Peggy (Tim) Polson, Dale (Vicky) Schramm and Allen (Patty) Schramm; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and one great-great-nephew.