Obituaries: February 2, 2024

Dane Clark Francis
Dane Clark Francis, age 62, passed away, peacefully and unexpectedly, at his Lake Vermilion home on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. A private interment will be held at a later date.
He was born to George R. and Betty L. (Fosburgh) Francis on July 15, 1961, in Cook. Dane grew up in Cook, graduating from Cook High School in 1980. He went on to attend the University of Minnesota at Duluth, and the University of North Dakota.
He returned to Cook after his schooling, and began work as an agent at the Francis Insurance Agency. Shortly after, Dane, along with Kirsten Reichel, and lifelong friend Doug Nakari, purchased and operated the Comet Theatre and Montana Café. Dane and Ann (Christensen) Cook were wed on May 22, 1991. In 1992 he became the chief executive of the Francis Agency until its sale to the North Star Credit Union, after which he continued to own and operate the Blue Cross/Blue Shield portion of the business.
Dane greatly enjoyed living and boating on Lake Vermilion. He also looked forward to spending time deer hunting at The Stone Ridge Hunting Shack in Meadow Brook, along with his stepsons and hunting buddies.
Dane was preceded in death by his parents George and Betty, foster parents Ray “Shorty” and Vida Anderson, stepson Alex Cook, grandparents George J. and Myrtle (Hocking) Francis and Clayton and Thea (Teigen) Fosburgh, uncles Robert J. “Bob” Francis, Ronald Fosburgh and Donald Fosburgh, aunts Marion (Francis) Pelto, Helen (Francis) Erkkila, and Charlotte (Francis) Aagard.
He is survived by his wife Ann Francis, as well as stepson Jeffrey Cook (Jenny) and their children Lilah, June, and Griffin. Also his brothers George J. and Blake (Barbara) Francis, extended family, and numerous friends.

James M. Koski
James M. Koski, 87, of Ely, a proud U.S. Army veteran, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024, at Carefree Living in Ely. A celebration of life will be held in the spring. Memorials may be directed to the Ely Blue Line Club. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his ex-wife, Helen Perko Koski; son, Jim (Julia) Koski; daughter, Nancy Koski; grandson, Daniel T. Koski; nieces, Marjorie Thompson and Martha (Bill) Sturgis; and nephew, Paul Koski.

Don W. Loomis
Don W. Loomis, 89, of Ely, entered peacefully into God’s Kingdom on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 1 at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Burial was in the Ely Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Enola Nelson Loomis; son, Thad (Soraya); daughter, Teri; granddaughters, Hannah (Alex Povhe), Emma and Scout; and great-granddaughter, Enola.