Obituaries: December 9, 2022

Brian C. Bakk
Brian C. Bakk, 66, of Minneapolis, formerly of Cook, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. 
He is survived by his wife, Jeri Lynn Bakk of Minneapolis; three sons, Dylan Bakk of Minneapolis, Taylor Bakk and Connor Bakk, both of Cook; granddaughter, Addisyn Bakk; sisters, Elizabeth Halik of Mt. Iron and Julie Marconett of Cook; and several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Carl H. Herrala
Carl Henry Herrala, 86, of Ely, passed away on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at the Ely Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Ely Honor Guard.
He is survived by his son, James (Dawne) Buchfink of Fargo, N.D.; three grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Calvin Herrala of Ely; sister, Shirley Ehrenberg of Wenatchee, Wash.; several nieces and nephews; and Cristy Borja, endeared daughter of a close friend.

Patricia Lammi
Patricia “Pat” Strezishar Lammi, 88, a lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, at Carefree Living in Ely. The family would like to thank the staff at Ely Carefree Living and Essentia Hospice. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Memorials may be directed to the Ely Carefree Living activities department or St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lois Lammi, Mary (Gary) Harms, Erin (Kevin) Mottram, Maximus and Jett, Jaime (Ben Wright) Harms, Crew and Colbie, Anne (Anthony) Houkom, Harper and Beckham, Amber (Ryan Butler) Harms, Rick (Shelly) Lammi, Becky Lammi, Zach (Anna) Lammi, Barbara (Jason) Larson, Pete (Jenna) Larson, Porter and Hayes, and Bob Lammi.

Cecile M. Strong
Cecile Marie Strong, 63, of Nett Lake, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022. A wake and funeral services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 7 and Thursday, Dec. 8 at the RTG building in Nett Lake. Casket bearers were her son-in-law, Squidg Morrison, and nephews, Kent Lund, George Strong, Corey Strong, Ulysses Strong and Tom Nicolas. Honorary casket bearers were her other nephews, nieces, and only surviving sister, Carol Strong. Jared Bangs served as officiant. Burial was at the newer cemetery in Nett Lake. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
She is survived by her daughter, Kristen (Squidg Morrison) Strong; son, Kevin J. Strong; sister, Carol (Leonard Konecny) Strong; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Grace Cherne
Grace “Gracie” Axelson Erzar Cherne, 101, passed away on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
She is survived by seven children, Louie Erzar of Prescott, Ariz., Thomas (Marge) Erzar of Ely, Mike Erzar of Ely, Frederic (Cindy) Cherne of Grand Rapids, Mich., Chris (Traci) Cherne of Shiocton, Wis., Rebecca Thomas of San Francisco, Calif., and Connie (Thomas) Peters of Fargo, N.D.; fourteen grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.