Obituaries: July 12, 2024

Trudi Johnson Shaw
Trudi Johnson Shaw, 80, of Soudan, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A small gathering of family and friends will be held to celebrate Trudi’s life from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, August 3 at 5874 Echo Point Rd. in Tower. A private graveside service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia. 
Trudi was born on May 23, 1944, in Virginia, to Vernon W. and Dorothy Hanson Johnson; she graduated from Roosevelt High School in the class of 1962. Trudi was hired at Minntac in the early 1970›s when the iron mines first started hiring women. During a layoff from Minntac, she also held jobs at the Soudan Store, Tower Bakery and the Y Store. She returned to Minntac and retired in the early 2000’s.
Trudi enjoyed fishing, gardening, flowers, and keeping the birds fed. Her favorite memories were of time spent with family and friends at the place on Armstrong Lake. Her family will greatly miss her great sense of humor, positive attitude, and desire to live life to the fullest. We will never forget her reminding us that “This too shall pass.”
Survivors include her daughters, Leslie (Brad) Kleeb of Bemidji, Lisa Shaw (Drew Schleicher) and Jody Lilya (Daren Refsdal), both of Lake Vermilion-Tower; son, Travis Shaw (Amy Carr) of Gilbert; grandchildren, Katie Lempola, Megan Lee, Rachel Gjovik, Lindsay Sikora, Eric Sikora, Keelie Lilya, Hayley Lilya, Olivia Lilya, Justine Shaw, Rhawnie Keller, Raleigh Kleeb and Britton Kleeb; great-grandchildren, Audrey, Emmett, Demi, Draven, Travis, Sawyer, Anthony, Kymani, Aubree, Gage, Reeva and a baby boy due in July; sister, Jill (Thomas) Matkovich of Mt. Iron; brother-in-law, Carroll Day; several nieces and a nephew. 
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Dorothy Johnson; sister, Randi Day; twin brothers in infancy; and her dog, Sassy. 

Sheila A. Wallin
Sheila Ann Wallin, 50, went missing on July 27, 2023, and sadly was found on Friday, May 3, 2024, in North St. Paul. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 29 at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia.
Memorials are preferred, to go into a dedicated account to help support her children during this difficult time. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Sheila was born on June 10, 1973, in Minneapolis, to David and Renay Wallin. She grew up in Virginia, where she attended Virginia High School, graduating in 1991. After high school she attended the LPN course at Mesabi Range College, graduating in 1995.
Growing up, Sheila enjoyed snowboarding, spending time on Lake Vermilion swimming, boating, and fishing. She loved spending time with her friends and family. She was an extremely creative and talented artist who drew amazing portraits. She had a huge contagious smile, boisterous laugh, and a big heart as she was always willing to help anyone out.
Sheila is survived by her children, Skyler and Payton Widseth, and their father, Daniel Widseth, of Wyoming, Minn., parents, David (Sandy) Wallin of Lake Vermilion and The Villages of Florida, and Renay Wallin of Hopkins; sisters, Sara (Keith) Altobelli of Mt. Iron and Sandra (Jose) Barrios of Monument, Colo.; stepsister, Katie (Jeremy) Lockwood, and stepbrother, Nicholas Richards, of Virginia; nieces and nephews, Logan and Ashlyn Bevan, Vivian Barrios, Kaylynn Richards, Zach Lockwood, Michaela LeDoux, and Tyler and Noah Richards; aunt, Marjorie Wallin of Tower; uncles, Peter (Susan) Sentieri of Shoreview and Paul (Dionne) Sentieri of Idaho; step-uncles, Les (Cheryl) Pernu of Washington, Gary (Carolyn) Pernu of Gilbert and Wayne Pernu of Oregon.
Sheila was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Raymond and Lorraine Wallin; maternal grandparents, Peter and Albina Sentieri; step-grandmother, Mildred Mitzi Brehmer; uncles, Mark and Glenn Wallin; and special great-aunt, Marge Skarp.

William V. Rebarich
William Vincent “Bill” Rebarich, 50, of Embarrass, died on Sunday, June 30, 2024, in an unexpected scuba diving accident on Crane Lake.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, July 9 at the Evangelical Free Church in Embarrass with Pastors Marlin Bjornrud and Sean Scarbrough officiating. A private family burial followed at the Embarrass Cemetery.
Memorials are preferred. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy Niloff Rebarich; children, Colton and Kaitlyn, both of Embarrass; sibling, Thea (Bill) Ray of Embarrass; father, William Rebarich of Embarrass; niece and nephew, Lindsey (Michael) Irelan and Jeremy (Samantha Kyger) Ray; great-niece and great-nephew, Cameron and Aleah Irelan; several close cousins, extended family and friends.

Marvel N. Prahl
Marvel Nota Prahl, 79, of Winton, passed away peacefully at her home with her loving family by her side on Friday, June 21, 2024. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 13 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely, with visitation at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at the church immediately following the service. Memorials are preferred.
She is survived by her brother, Mark; daughters, Debbie and Rhonda (Scott); grandchildren, Amanda (John) and Ryan (Samantha); great-grandsons, Maddux and Beau; nieces, Candy (Jason) and Carrie (Jason); nephews, Darin and Kevin; son of her heart, Gary Jerich; special friends, Nancy Gaither, Mike Meskill, Joe and Mary Schwinghamer; and numerous other cherished friends.

Carol A. Lindbeck
Carol Ann Lesar Lindbeck, 77, passed away in her home on Shagawa Lake in Ely on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. A celebration of life will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 at Semer’s Park. The family does not expect flowers or condolences. Donations may be made to the Ely Volunteer Fire Department. 
She is survived by her sister, Barb (John) Erickson; brother, Jim; granddaughter, Carlie (Chris) Schneider; nieces and nephews; and an anticipated great-granddaughter in September.

Benjamin Rentschler
Benjamin “Ben” Rentschler, 89, former longtime resident of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the Southfield Wellness Community in Webster City, Iowa, surrounded by family. Burial services were held on Monday, July 8 at the Babbitt Argo Cemetery.
He is survived by his sons, Thomas and Dennis; seven siblings; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Eunice M. Korpi
Eunice Marlene Harju Korpi, 84, of Mt. Iron, went home to the Lord in grace and peace on Friday, June 28, 2024. A funeral service is planned for 2 p.m. on Friday, July 26 at First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Virginia.
She is survived by her sister, Judy (Arlin) Harju Hogenson; sister-in-law, June Harju; children, Tim Korpi of Soudan, Scott Korpi (Sherry) of Land O Lakes, Fla., Rhonda McConnell of St. Petersburg, Fla., Douglas Korpi of Mt. Iron; Amy Curfman (Kevin) of Palo, Melanie Korpi of St. Petersburg, Fla., Lyle Korpi (Rosemie) of Tampa, Fla., Alan Korpi (Barbara) of Beaver Dam, Wis., and Ryan Korpi of Mt. Iron; grandchildren, David Tedman (Harmony), Steven Solkela, Kirsten McConnell, Nicholas Korpi, Noah Korpi, Nolan Korpi, Olivia Korpi, Audrey Curfman (Guy) and Zach Curfman; great-grandchildren, John Tedman, Layla Tedman, Ellie Curfman and Violet LeTourneau; and numerous other grandchildren who needed a grandma to love, including nieces and nephews, Jonathan, Jason and others.

Judith C. Hall
Judith C. Hall, 86, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the Boundary Waters Care Center. Her family and friends would like to thank the staff at Boundary Waters Care Center for their kind care. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please consider a donation to her favorite charity, Contented Critters in Ely. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by a sister, Maryann Tilley; nephews, Michael and Jeff; and will be dearly missed by all who knew her, especially Rita Grose, her friend of 58 years, Amy and Vic Modjeski, Mary Ann and John Lekatz.

Bruce F. Markwardt
Bruce Fred “Pinkey” Markwardt, 75, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 12 at the American Legion Hall in Orr. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Bruce is survived by his siblings, Judy (Tom) Long, Linda (Mike) Vidmar, Paul (Heather) Markwardt, Danny (Carol) Markwardt and Dean Markwardt; sisters-in-law, Patti Markwardt, Sharon Markwardt and Kathy Markwardt; and many nieces and nephews.

Matthew G. Goggleye
Matthew Gerald Goggleye, 18, of Nett Lake, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at his residence. Arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.