Obituaries: September 12, 2025

Ronald L. Abrahamson
Ronald Lee Abrahamson, 89, passed away with grace on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, at Virginia Essentia Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. A private memorial will be held to celebrate Ron’s amazing life. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Ron was born in Virginia on April 13, 1936, to Staale and Ingrid Abrahamson and spent his childhood years growing up on the northside of town. He was a champion golfer and started early as a young entrepreneur doing various jobs such as working for the local Coca-Cola bottling company and local newspaper. He graduated from the Virginia Roosevelt High School in 1954. He then attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth and earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Arts Instruction. 
Ron married the love of his life, Elizabeth Ann Barboni, on Nov. 12, 1956. They started their family alongside starting his mobile home sales business in Virginia. Ron also acquired his certification and sold real estate. The family enjoyed a lavender-painted cabin on Lake Fourteen in Britt for many summers. They moved their family of eight to Tower in 1970. There, they created and operated Hearthside Homes for the adult developmentally-disabled for over 20 years on the shores of Lake Vermilion. Ron also owned and operated a used car business called Classy Cars, as well as the Westside Body Shop on the main street of Tower, with his sons and daughter for many years. He had a lifetime love of Lincoln Continentals and Cadillacs. He truly enjoyed cruising the highways, backroads, and local streets, always stopping to check out points of interest.
Ron, along with his beautiful wife of 57 years, thoroughly enjoyed attending every sporting event and all special activities of their children and grandchildren. He acquired many fun nicknames such as “Uncle Ronnie” as fondly called by his clients at Hearthside Homes, “Mr. Wonderful,” “Ron T,” and “the Governor.”  Ron was always ready for a good laugh and enjoyed embellishing stories, leaving his listeners wondering how much of it was factual. Ron currently lived at Edgewood Vista in Virginia with his beloved fiancé, Nathalie Jensrud. He very much enjoyed many of the other tenants and staff, games and activities, as well as the live music performances that were held there. Ron also cherished the class reunions he attended once a month with his dear classmates. 
He is survived by his treasured children, Ronald (Pam) Abrahamson, Stephen (Ann Waugh) Abrahamson, Julie (John) Suihkonen, Joan (David) Broten, Anthony Abrahamson, and Susan Abrahamson; cherished grandchildren, Stephen Abrahamson, Jacob (Amanda) Abrahamson, Synnove (John) Nieuwenhuis, Dean (Brianna) Broten, Zachariah (Kalee Bjorgo) Schroeder, Alexander (Ashley) Suihkonen, Elizabeth (Kyle) Parker, Barbara (Zachary) Broten-Lundstrom, Christopher (Kayla Evans) Suihkonen, and James (Sam) Ayres; beloved great-grandchildren, Zaija Schroeder, Boone and Hux Broten, Ellie, Frank, and Louie Suihkonen, Ariya, Raegan and Jackson Nieuwenhuis, Stella and Harlan Lundstrom, Sawyer, Finnley and Lucca Suihkonen, Lorayne Parker, Nova Ayers, and Miranda Haapala; beloved fiancé, Nathalie Jensrud; and extended, cherished family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Staale and Ingrid; wife, Elizabeth; brothers, Eric, Stanley, Gordon, Robert, and Harold; and sister, Sigrid.

Nancy Lamppa
Nancy Melton Lamppa, 76, passed away after a battle with cancer. Per her request, a celebration of life is planned for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at the Vermilion Club, starting at 1 p.m. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Nancy was born on June 25, 1949, in Moline, Ill. She moved to Aurora in 1958 and went to school in Aurora. After high school, she moved to Embarrass, and then moved to Eveleth with her husband, Dan Lamppa, for 33 years. Nancy enjoyed music and loved to listen to bands and karaoke. She knew almost every word of the songs she heard. She loved her new home on Lake Vermilion.
In her younger days, Nancy was an avid bowler and bowled in several leagues; she was proud of her 298 game. She also played volleyball. Nancy was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Auxiliary member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Daytona Beach, Fla. She spent a lot of time reading and doing crossword puzzles, almost daily. She was a snowbird between Florida and Minnesota.
Nancy fought cancer with no remorse and accepted dying. Nancy believed in God and had prayers and last rites at the Cook Nursing Home.
Nancy is survived by her husband, Dan Lamppa; son, Corey Thompson; daughter, Barbara Thompson; stepdaughter, Lynn Lamppa; brothers, Joe Gregorich and Michael Gregorich; sisters, Diane Laugen, Dawn Gregorich, Vicki Sherek, and Kim Sullivan; brother-in-law, Dale (Margaret) Lamppa; several nieces and nephews; and special friends, Bob and Nancy Walden, Tim and Kathy Lamorea, Wendy Prevost, and Bill Daniels.
She was preceded in death by her father, Edwin Melton; mother, Phyliss Gregorich; sister, Debra Westby; and granddaughter, Amber.

Keith W. Wald Jr.
Keith Weston Wald Jr., 75, of Ash River Trail-Orr, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. The family wants to extend their appreciation of everyone who compassionately cared for Keith, and supported his family, while he was in hospice care at the Cook Hospital. No services are planned. There will be a private interment at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
 Keith was born at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas, on Aug. 20, 1950, to Keith and Joyce Schneidervin Wald. He was a National Guard member in the Army Reserve.
Keith was highly respected at work. One of his co-workers stated, “Mr. Keith, as I called him, was someone who was formidable in my career growth as I always admired his pure attention to detail. As misleading as his age was, he was an excel wizard that would continue to keep me on my toes as he was someone that had already thought through everything.” Another co-worker stated, “As an individual, Keith’s humbleness was something that was admirable. As sharp as he was, he never made me feel like I was inferior to him in any way. As a matter of fact, he made me better as an individual due to his soft tone and subtle lessons he would teach me. He never missed an opportunity to ask about my family, not as small talk but as a real inquiry because he cared. When I bought my wife a firearm, he brought her a “How to” DVD. Keith has left an impression on me, and I will never forget him.”
 Keith’s family describes him as a wonderful brother and uncle. Keith was like a brother/mentor to many people in his life. His humor was shared with everyone. He loved fishing, hunting, boating, feeding his deer and birds, and doting on and loving his six cats.
 Keith is survived by his sisters, Sandra Wald and spouse Diane Alpaugh, Sue Rochester and husband Rocky Rochester; nieces, Ann Dibba, Rose Brooks and Sian McDonald; great-nephews, Amadeus Baker, Weston O’Donahue, Abdul Rahman Ali, Hakim Malik, and Khalil Malik.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joyce and Keith Wald; and wife, Larisa V. Wald.

Chad R. Hanson
Chad “Chowy” Robert Hanson, 58, of Chandler, Texas, formerly of Embarrass, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Chad’s family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Jim and Angie Collins for all of the care and nurturing they gave to Chowy during his battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Embarrass Town Hall. Burial of ashes will take place at 3 p.m. at the Embarrass Cemetery.
He is survived by his son, Cruz Hanson (Natalie) of Chandler, Texas; parents, Alvin and Sandy Hanson of Virginia; brother, Todd (Mary) Hanson of Embarrass; sisters, Kristie (Joe) Bissonette of Mt. Iron and Kari (Corey) Anderson of Coon Rapids; sister-in-law, Ann Hanson of Eveleth; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Tara M. Schumacker
Tara Marie Schumacker, 35, passed away as a result of a car accident on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 15 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Father Brandon Moravitz will be the celebrant.
She is survived by parents, Gary Schumacker and Domonique (Nicky Gornick) Schumacker; sisters, Shari Schumacker and Brianna Schumacker; children, Leigha Schumacker, Jayden Owens, Lai’Ahna Owens and Kinsley Schumacker; and numerous extended family and friends.

Marlin J. Sundal
Marlin John Sundal, 70, longtime resident of Embarrass, died peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at Heritage Manor in Chisholm. Arrangements are being made through Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Marlene A. Brown
Marlene Ann Brown, 90, of Cook, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.