Obituaries: July 23, 2021

Sally I. Christopherson 
Sally Ilene Christopherson, 81, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, died on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at Edgewood Vista Senior Living Center in Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 23 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. Pastor Erika Foss will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 466, Tower, MN 55790. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Sally was born on Sept. 27, 1939, in Virginia, the daughter of Roy and Ruth (Salminen) Rankila. She was a graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High School in the class of 1956 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Sally married Ralph F. Christopherson on Dec. 22, 1962, at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. She was a longtime resident of Virginia, moving to Lake Vermilion-Tower in 1988.
Sally was employed as a teacher for the Virginia School District, was an entrepreneur, was the office manager for Ferrellgas, and returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in the St. Louis County School District. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower and PEO Chapter DX. Sally enjoyed ceramics, painting, the Minnesota Vikings, and anything outdoors. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family.
Sally is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ralph Christopherson; children, Amy (Todd Vlasaty) Christopherson of Coon Rapids and Chad Christopherson of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Nick Christopherson, Jack Vlasaty and Cassidy Christopherson; brother, Gary Rankila of Minneapolis; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her in-laws, Ralph and Bernice Christopherson.
Erma V. Mattila
Erma V. Schmidt Mattila, 86, of Babbitt, died on Monday, July 5, 2021. A private memorial service will be held. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her husband, John Donald Mattila; children, Tom (Jess) Mattila and Jody Mattila; grandchildren, Willow and Jay; sister, Norma (Orville) Koland; and numerous friends and acquaintances.

Wayne R. Metsa
Wayne Roger Metsa, 79, of Cook, died on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 23 at the Alango Cemetery. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Donald O. Niska
Donald O. Niska, 85, of Ely, a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, passed away at his residence on Thursday, July 15, 2021. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.