Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: January 31, 2025

Posted

John Ratzloff
It is with heavy hearts that the family of John Ratzloff announces his peaceful passing on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Born in Austin, Minn., on Jan. 30, 1947, John is survived by his son, Peter; daughter, Gratia; granddaughters, Olive and Lily; son-in-law, Ed; daughter-in-law, Emma; and beloved cat, Oberholtzer. The Wahlstrom family of St. Joseph, Minn., has been an invaluable source of love and support to John and his family. He also leaves behind a wide circle of close friends in Ely, the Twin Cities, and beyond. To know John was to love him. In his honor, the family wishes to share the below letter that he wrote to his loved ones. Celebrations of life will be held at a later date; details will be shared via John’s Facebook page.
“The following information is what I wish my loved ones to know about me after death has scattered my days:
I wish you to know I was a survivor. When I was young, I survived polio, diphtheria, pneumonia, yellow fever, five broken arms, knuckles, and wrists. I survived a suicide attempt when I was nine.
I wish my loved ones to know, after a sickly start, I became strong, paddling in the BWCA and Quetico with my blood brother Peter Wahlstom 25 straight years.
I wish you to know the most important thing I learned in college was NOT what I learned. Rather, it is what I unlearned. I unlearned racism... a poison which l had been taught.
I wish you to know I had long-term close relationships with people of all races. Particularly American Indians from whom I learned so much about living gently on the land.
I wish you to know I found love and relished in it until the very day I died.
I wish you to know l have loved with all my heart and understand that love is what you do. That I understand Love is a verb.
I wish you to know I believe my children, Peter and Gratia, are the greatest gifts I have given to this world.
I wish you to know that, with my camera, I have strived to wage peace, justice, environmental protection, and reveal beauty in people and in Nature.
I wish you to know that I knew I was not simply lucky, I was blessed.
I wish you to know, despite my mistakes and failures, I made amends with those who I had wronged.
I wish you to know I passed in the spirit world gratefully, out of pain, at peace.
I wish you to know I died loving you.”

Marcella V. Moe
Marcella Viola Moe, 87, of Lake Vermilion, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at home. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Willard Hawkinson
Willard “Bill” Hawkinson, 84, passed away peacefully at his son and daughter-in-law’s home in Warba on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, to be eternally with his Lord. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Chisholm Assembly of God Church, with visitation from 11-12 a.m., the service at 12 noon and and a luncheon following. Pastor Steve Tomberlin will officiate.
Bill was born in Hibbing on Nov. 10, 1940, during the Armistice Day storm. He grew up in Togo and attended school there. He married his school sweetheart, Joan Rostvit, on Oct. 19, 1957, at the Togo Chapel; they enjoyed 48 years together. Bill and Joan lived most of their married life in Bear River where they raised their four children. Then in 1980 they added three children to their family through adoption. During their years together they also provided a loving home to many foster children. Their home was always open to their many friends and family who could stop at any hour and would be welcomed in for a delicious meal or fresh baked pie. They enjoyed taking family camping trips and took many vacations out west to visit federal parks and visit his family in Montana.
Bill drove school bus for the Cook District and worked as a mechanic for the Chevrolet Dealer in Cook for 30-plus years; in his earlier years, he worked in the woods. Bill was also a talented musician who shared his love of gospel music, not only singing but playing dobro and bass guitar in many country music shows and nursing home ministries throughout his life. Bill, when still a young man, accepted Jesus Christ as his savior, and his strong faith was an inspiration to all who knew him. Bill was always active in church ministry and also taught Sunday School for many years. Bill also enjoyed deer hunting season and earned the title “Sure-shot Bill” for all the whitetails he took.
After his first wife Joan passed in 2005, Bill met his future wife Beverly, a loving Christian companion, at the AJ Assembly Church, while visiting in Apache Junction, Ariz. He would share the next 18 years of his life with her in Apache Junction.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Beverly Hawkinson; three sons, Leonard Hawkinson of Kelly Lake, Vernard (Cindy) Hawkinson of Warba and Randy Drift Hawkinson of Virginia; two daughters, Cheryl Hawkinson of Mesa, Ariz., and Charlene Lokken of Hibbing; sisters, Vivian Vanleishout of Eureka, Mont., Sandy Roose of Eureka, Mont., Norma Leib of Columbia Falls, Mont., and Vicki Jam of Kalispell, Mont.; brother, Brain Newman of Portland, Ore.; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilfred Hawkinson; mother, Berna (Adams) Newman; first wife, Joan Hawkinson; son, Dennis Drift Hawkinson; daughter, Sherry Drift Hawkinson; brothers, Gary Hawkinson and Edward Hawkinson; and sister, Karen Siefke.

Paul M. Aysta
Paul Melvin Aysta, 71, a lifelong resident of Pike Township, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, surrounded by his family. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Bauman’s Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Dale Burgess, Gary Aysta, Mike Lang, Todd Nelson, Scott Kregness and Harold Langowski. Spring inurnment will take place in the East Pike Cemetery. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Pike-Sandy Volunteer Fire Dept. or the Essentia East Range Hospice Team.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rebecca “Becky” Burgess Aysta; daughters, Shelley (Derek) Aho of Britt and Lindsey (Brian) Baldwin of Byfield, Mass.; grandchildren, Joseph and Audrey Aho and Owen and Ivy Baldwin; brothers, Gary Aysta of Virginia and Jon Aysta of Pike Township; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Darwin J. Hagedorn Sr.
Darwin James Hagedorn Sr., 81, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, Jan. 30 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with Rev. Fr. Charles Friebohle as celebrant. Burial was in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Saginaw. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Stupnik Hagedorn; children, Dar (Jodi) of Waconia and Jane (Michaela) of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Ryan and Shelby of Waconia; sisters, Janice of Jackson and Sandy of Utah; brother, Wally of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Lyle D. Thoreson
Lyle D. Thoreson, 55, of Virginia, originally of Embarrass, passed into peaceful slumber at his home on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. A celebration of life was held on his birthday, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki Cochran Thoreson; daughters, Savannah and Holly Thoreson; father, Leonard Thoreson; sister, Lynne (Jeff) Judnik; grandchildren, nephews, lifelong friends, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thora E. Monson
Thora Elaine Inglebret Monson, 87, longtime resident of Pike Township, died on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, at the Virginia Care Center in Virginia. A celebration of life will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia, with visitation one hour prior to the service at 12 noon.
She is survived by her son, Kerry Monson of Duluth; daughter, Holly (Craig) Johnson of Virginia; daughter-in-law, Sherri Monson of Embarrass; grandchildren, Clinton Monson of Hibbing, Mallory White of Virginia and Dylan Johnson of Bloomington; great-grandson, Derek White; and brother-in-law, Wally Monson of California.