Obituaries: Aug. 23, 2019

Raymond Boshey - Mitchigigwane “Osprey”

Raymond Boshey - Mitchigigwane “Osprey”, 89, a lifelong resident of Tower, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019, after a brave battle with cancer. He was always surrounded by his numerous children and grandchildren. His partner in life, Barb “Jackie” Chavez, was by his side when he took his last breath. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bauman Funeral Home of Tower.

Ray was a Korean War veteran and a real outdoorsman. He enjoyed keeping his yard mowed, and cutting and hauling wood. He was a state fire warden for 35 years. He once took a group of people from New York on a canoe trip to Lac La Croix in Canada. Ray loved playing bingo and visiting with family and friends. He loved watching football - Go Vikes! Ray was a respected Elder of the community and one of the few who knew his Native tongue. He also helped write an Ojibwe language book, Ojibwemowin - Series I.

Ray is survived by his life partner, Barb “Jackie” Chavez, with whom he raised several grandchildren; children, Gary (Christina) Boshey, Dale (Jen) Boshey Sr., Cindi (Vern) Adams, Keith Boshey Sr. and Steven Boshey Sr.; stepdaughters, Roberta Chavez, LaDonna Chavez and Edith Chavez; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother; brothers and sisters; two sons; and a great-great-granddaughter.

Carl R. Tuominen

Carl Richard Tuominen, 86, of Vermilion Lake Township, died on Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at New Journey Residence. A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church with Rev. Don Stauty officiating. Burial took place at Vermilion Lake Cemetery. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 

Carl was born on Aug. 9, 1933, in Vermilion Lake Township, to Lauri and Vienna (Myllysilta) Tuominen. He was baptized into the faith on Dec. 22, 1933. Carl grew up in Embarrass and graduated from Embarrass High School in 1952. He was united in marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Elaine Marion Hujanen, on Sept. 13, 1952. Together they raised five children. Carl started working for US Steel when he was 19 years old and retired after 40-plus years.

Carl taught his children many life lessons like honesty, kindness and gentleness. He showed the value of a good work ethic by never being late and never missing a day of work in all his years of employment. He lived his life as an example of how to be a loving husband and a kind and gentle father. Carl instilled in his children faith and told them about the love of God. He walked in faith every day; even when his health was failing, he continued going to church. 

Carl was an excellent card player and especially excelled in playing cribbage. His favorite cribbage partner was his brother, Jim. He and Elaine did some traveling. They took several trips to the state of Virginia to see their daughter, Nancy, and her family and they went twice to Alaska to see their grandson, Neil. Carl was just as happy to go and visit friends and neighbors. He knew the value of the simple act of visiting. Carl and Elaine were a great support team for their family and went to all the events for all their children, in-laws, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. Carl loved children and never missed the opportunity to hold a baby! They spent many summers camped out at Hoodoo Point, where they made many long-lasting friendships. Faith, family and friends were the highlights of their lives.

Carl and Elaine were charter members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Carl served as an elder and an usher. They were members of the Tower Soudan Ski Club, Tower Soudan Athletic Association, and charter members of the MTA, a fun group that got together to eat out and laugh!

Carl and Elaine were inseparable. Carl’s favorite job in life was taking care of his beloved wife, Elaine. They were married for 63 years, and after she died, he was lost without his best friend. They are now reunited in Heaven and we look forward to seeing them again.

Carl is survived by his children, David, Steve (Deb) and Patti (Jamie) Quick, all of Tower, Nancy (Johnny) Peery of Hot Springs, Va., and Paul, also of Tower; nine grandchildren, Neil Tuominen of Anchorage, Alaska, Joel (Becky) Tuominen of Hoyt Lakes, Joshua (Gina) Quick of Eveleth, Jesse (Katie) Quick of Esko, Jacob Quick of Tower, Ashley (Brandon) Brown of Staunton, Va., Emily Peery and Logan Peery, both of Hot Springs, Va., and Colton Tuominen of Tower; six great-grandchildren, Josie and Mila Quick, Will and Troy Quick, and Izak and Jocelyn Brown; sisters, Joyce Wiitala and Linda Lehtonen; brothers, Lauri (Joyce) Tuominen Jr. and  Michael Tuominen; sister-in-law, Annette (Paul) Herring; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elaine; brother, Jim (Carol) Tuominen; sisters and their husbands, Beverly (Pee Wee) Johnson and Elaine (Jack) Johnson; sister-in-law, Georgine Tuominen; and brother-in-law, Melvin Wiitala.

Gerhard H. Kok

Gerhard Henry “Gery” Kok, 95, formerly of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019, and is at rest with God and family. A Memorial Mass was held on Thursday, Aug. 22 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with Fr. Brandon Moravitz officiating. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

He is survived by his children, Patty (Dave) Ferrell and William (Kim) Kok; daughter-in-law, Barb Kok; brother, Dave (Barb) Kok; grandchildren, Chris (Angela) Ferrell, Marie (Ben) Today, Melissa and Katy Kok, Jenny Bailey, and Alethea (Toby) Holden; nine great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Helen E. Lakner

Helen Eleanor Carlson Lakner, 98, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely with her family by her side. Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 16 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely with Pastor Eric Thiele officiating. Memorials may be directed to the Grace Lutheran Campership Fund. Burial will be at a later date in the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

She is survived by sons, William (Sandie) Lakner of Brandywine, Md., James (Cindy) Lakner of Scottsburg, Ind., and Tom (Mary) Lakner of Columbus; daughter-in-law, Nancy (Ted) Sterbenk of Ely; eight grandchildren, William, Donald, Michael and Jon Lakner, Barney Lakner, Jodi Lakner, Patrick Lakner and Jennifer Nichols; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.