Obituaries: December 10, 2021

Earl J. Schmidt
Earl J. Schmidt, 84, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Essentia Health-Virginia. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower with Pastor Liz Cheney officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in North Star Cemetery in St. Cloud. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Earl was born on Oct. 8, 1937, in St. Cloud, to Herman and Mary (Streitz) Schmidt and grew up there, graduating from St. Cloud Technical High School. He played football in high school and was an avid card player.
Earl married Lois Swanson on Aug. 19, 1960, in Tower. He spent his working career in the family business, St. Cloud Jobbing Company, and retired in 2000 and moved to Lake Vermilion.
Survivors include one son, David Schmidt of Lake Vermilion; four sisters, Donna, Mary, Judy and Susan; and three brothers, Roger, Tom and Milt.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Lois.

Maria Zoe Planton
Maria Zoe Planton, 81, of Soudan, known to everyone as Zoe, died peacefully in her home surrounded by family on Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. A very special thank you to the East Range Hospice Team. The family would also like to recognize Jo and Joan for the exceptional care provided to our mom.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 17 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower with Rev. Fr. Beau Braun as celebrant. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. A reception will follow in the parish hall. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.
Zoe was born on July 26, 1940, to Joseph Zupancich Sr. and Mary (Gasperlin) Zupancich in Ely. She graduated from Ely High School in 1958 and following graduation attended St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul. On Oct. 21, 1961, Zoe married the love of her life, Frank Planton, and pursued her dream of being a mom. 
Zoe’s family was her priority. Zoe’s home became known as Zoe’s Bed & Breakfast to her children, with delicious home-cooked meals and everything they needed when they visited. Zoe’s fondest memory to her children was to always be in the front yard waving goodbye until she could no longer see them as they departed from her home.
Zoe and Frank loved polka dancing and attended 36 polka festivals in Cleveland, Milwaukee and Chicago. She loved the outdoors (especially the national and state parks she visited and her beloved North Shore), collecting rocks, and the sheer beauty of nature. Zoe really enjoyed playing bridge every chance she got and treasured all the friendships she made over the years.
Zoe is survived by her husband of 60 years, Frank A. Planton; children, Margie (Rodney) Burgess, Frank J. (Carmen) Planton, John Planton, Mike Planton and Annie (Tony) Tekautz; eight grandchildren, Carleen (Mike), Brian (Julia), Cole, Bradley, Leanne, Stefanie, Bren and Nathan; and two great-grandchildren, Mason and Greyson.
Zoe was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Sr. and Mary Zupancich; and brother, Joseph Zupancich Jr.

Lolita M. Schnitzius
Lolita M. Schnitzius, 83, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, Dec., 5, 2021, at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.