Obituaries: July 26, 2024

Vernon Amundson
Vernon Amundson, 87, of Tower and Sarasota, Fla., passed away peacefully at his lake home in Tower on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, with family at his side holding his hands. His life will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 26. Visitors are welcome to gather at the church at 12 p.m. prior to the service and then at 2 p.m. for fellowship afterward. Interment at Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth will occur at a future date. Funeral arrangements are provided by Dougherty Funeral Home of Duluth.
The family is grateful to the entire team of St. Mary’s East Range Hospice of Virginia. Their care of Vernon exceeded all expectations of dedication, kindness and expertise. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rotary Foundation, the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, or St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Duluth. Vernon was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Duluth, and a seasonal member of St. Boniface Episcopal Church in Sarasota.
Vernon was a Duluthian by birth, the son of Benjamin and Esther Amundson, and lived and worked there until his retirement. Vernon married his Duluth East High School sweetheart, Nancy Lydia Piper, in 1959, and they celebrated 44 years together. He was a Golden Gopher and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Following graduation, he served as a captain at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Mont., during the Cuban missile crisis period. Although he did not serve in active duty, he had the experience of flying a fighter jet with an Air Force pilot colleague also at the controls. He and Nancy returned to Duluth to establish their home, and he joined his father, two brothers and sister in the Amundson Family dental practice. They raised a family of four children.
Vernon was a philanthropist with his time for both civic groups and dental organizations. He was an Eagle Scout, and he enjoyed participating in the Duluth Rotary Club. He served as chairman of the board of WDSE Public TV in Duluth, chairman of the board of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and chairman of the board of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). He was recognized professionally as a Fellow of the American College of Dentistry and a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry. His professional contributions included being president of the North East District Dental Society, president of the Duluth Dental Forum study club, president of the Minnesota State Dental Association, and a delegate to the American Dental Association.
Once retired, Vernon and Nancy became snowbirds and spent colder months in Sarasota, in a community populated by family and friends from Duluth and beyond. They returned to Tower every spring to spend the warm months at a cabin on Lake Vermilion that they literally built together. It was a labor of love for the family to create this marvelous home.
Nancy passed away unexpectedly in 2004. Vernon remarried a lifelong friend, Barbara Peil, and enjoyed her companionship for a short period of time until she passed away from a long-standing illness in 2008. He later became reacquainted with Joanne Enquist, who he had known through the dental community. They married at sea off the coast of Greece in 2013, and celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary just days before Vernon passed away. He admired Joanne’s beauty and her deep fund of knowledge.
Vernon had a gift of creating fellowship and conversation, always wanting to talk on the phone or in person with family and friends. He had the ability to connect and become friends with strangers he had just met. Hard work, perseverance, and optimism guided him throughout his life and he passed these ethics along to others. He was known as a carpenter, a fisherman, a photographer, and a golfer. Vernon wore an amazing collection of colorful golf pants in his younger years and flashy ties in his later years, and these became his clothing trademarks. Of late, the movies “Home Alone” and “Vacation” gave him chuckles. Music filled his life, and he shared this joy with everyone he knew. His home was never complete without a piano to play. As a young man, he was honored to sing “It’s a Blue World” backstage at a concert with The Four Freshman. Vern enjoyed any music that was melodic or filled with harmony, and nothing moved him more than “Moon River” by Henri Mancini.
Filled with grace and appreciation, Vernon continued to express this message to those around him. He would squeeze hands, hug, wink, and smile when words were few.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Joanne; children, Brock, Brett, Brook Amundson de Carvalho e Silva, and Blake (Kim); grandchildren, Fletcher, Kyle, Matthew, Joseph “Joey” and Lauren; brother, Gordon (Mary); a large extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Esther Holmstrom Amundson; wife and mother of his children, Nancy Piper Amundson; second wife, Barbara Peil Amundson; siblings, Dale (Elaine) Amundson and Pauline (John) Dahl; sister-in-law, Ruth Amundson; and son-in-law, José Carlos Neiva de Carvalho e Silva.

Kathleen J. Hoppa
Kathleen J. Hoppa, 82, died peacefully at New Journey Residence in Biwabik on Tuesday, July 9, 2024. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. Inurnment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virgina. 
Kathy was born on Oct. 14, 1941, the daughter of Arnold and Emma Pearson, and grew up south of Tower at the Pearson homestead on Wahlsten Road. She was a graduate of what is now Northeast Range High School and Vermilion Community College. Kathy worked in medical records at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth before marrying Dennis Hoppa in 1966.
Enjoying their new life together, the couple delivered supplies via snowmobile to Dorothy Molter in the winter and built award-winning floats for the annual Tower Fourth of July parade in the summer. In 1975 they adopted a son, Mark, who for many years competed at the Special Olympics. Kathy coached him in basketball, track and field, bowling, and speed skating, disciplines in which he won numerous medals. Not one to be idle, Kathy was the organist at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower for 42 years; was active in Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and was the longtime secretary and treasurer for the Vermilion Range Old Settlers Association. She also corresponded with pen pals from around the world. On Feb. 2, 1996, as a volunteer National Weather Service Observer, Kathy recorded a temperature of minus-60 degrees Fahrenheit in her backyard, a Minnesota record that stands to this day.
In 2003, the Hoppas moved to Wuori Township, where she volunteered at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia, continued with the Special Olympics, and recorded rain and snowfall for the National Weather Service. Dennis passed away in 2015. 
Kathy is survived by her son, Mark, who remembers his mother as having a wonderful sense of humor.

Gary D. Albertson
Gary Duane Albertson, 83, of Cook, longtime editor of the Cook News-Herald, passed away in his sleep, at home, on Saturday, July 13, 2024, due to heart failure. There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. Visitation will start at 10:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at a location yet to be determined. A spring 2025 memorial will be held in Minneapolis and will be announced. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by wife, Edna; children, Guy and Jodi (Warren); grandchildren, Isaiah, Gabrielle, Olivia and Zoe; and siblings, Myrna (Larry), Jimmy (Jean), Ginger (Dale) and Cindy (Fred).

James A. Holm
James Arthur Holm, 63, of Babbitt, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 7, 2024, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A celebration of life will be held at the Hideaway Bar in Babbitt on Saturday, July 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. A funeral service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Dawn; children, Mike Holm of Chisholm and Benjamin Holm of Babbitt; grandchild, Sebastian Holm of El Paso, Texas; siblings, Mary Stalcar of Eden Prairie, Gayle (Tom) Uren of Coon Rapids, Terry Holm of Babbitt, Mike (Susan) Holm of Savannah, Ga., and Carolyn Holm of Babbitt; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lawrence M. McCue
Lawrence Malcolm McCue, 93, longtime resident of Bear River, departed from this earthly realm on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in the loving embrace of his daughters. The McCue family would like to thank the staff at Edgewood Vista Memory Care in Cook for their wonderful care of Lawrence over the last two years. A celebration of life with military honors will be held at 12 noon on Friday, July 26 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow the service at the VFW in Cook.
He is survived by his children, Teresa Thompson, Kelly (Sue) McCue, Clayton (Ann) McCue and Susan (John) Mankus; grandchildren, Kelli Sue McCue, Conor (Nichole) McCue, Amber Phelps, Preston McCue, Neil (Lindsey) McCue, Myles (Ellen) Mankus and Tessa (Derek) Judnick; 14 great-grandchildren and one on the way; sister, Barbara Seopa; and sisters-in-law, Karen McCue and Carol McCue. 

Olive M. Connor 
Olive Marie Villebrun Connor, 88, of Tower, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024. A wake was held on Tuesday, July 23 and a traditional service was held on Wednesday, July 24, both at the Bois Forte Government and Services Center.
She is survived by her children, Lawrence Connor Jr., Lois Graham (Howard), Ann Dorr (Randy Dahlquist), Darrell Connor (Tina Shackelton), Karen Connor, Kay Connor, Kelly Rutar and Ruth Connor; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Rodney L. Villebrun Sr.
Rodney Lee Villebrun Sr., 60, of Minneapolis, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. A private family interment will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Sandra J. Boutto
Sandra J. “Sandi” Boutto, 68, of Cook, passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Elmore Assisted Living in Elmore. Funeral arrangements are pending with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.

Phyllis D. Salvhus
Phyllis Darlene Salvhus, 90, of Cook, passed away peacefully at home with her family on Sunday, July 21, 2024. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials in the name of Essentia Hospice or the Cook Lions may be sent to Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
She is survived by her life partner, Mark Eyre; daughter, Brenda (Don) Kotnik; sister, Sandi Salvhus; grandson, Brandon (Stacey) Kotnik; granddaughter, Danielle Jance; great-granddaughter, Haley Kotnik; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary H. Krause
Mary Helen Krause, age 96, of Eveleth, formerly of Parkville, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at The Waterview Woods in Eveleth, Minn. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. Interment to follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia. Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.
Mary was born on March 21, 1928 to Harry and Florence (McCullough) Jones in Hope, North Dakota. She attended Fargo Central High School, graduating in 1945. Following high school, she attended Moorhead Teacher College and earned her teaching certificate. While raising her family, she later completed her degree at the University of Minnesota Duluth taking night classes.
Mary taught at schools in Black Duck, Virginia, Mt. Iron; and ultimately ended up teaching in Eveleth at the Franklin Elementary for over 20 years.
She married Walter Krause on June 13, 1950, in Duluth. The family raised their four children in Parkville.
She enjoyed spending time at the cabin at Ash-Ka-Nam Resort where they made many friends. It was here that she and Walt started their morning habit of playing a few rounds of cards. In the winter, she and Walt spent their time in Lake Havasu City enjoying the warmer weather and time by the pool. Mary’s favorite day was Tuesdays when she would take the shuttle bus to Laughlin to see if she could win any money – which she did quite often. No matter the location, Mary enjoyed cooking, making ceramics, and spending time with family and friends.
Mary is survived by her children: Susan Krause (John Kauppila), Cathy Peritz, James (Terri) Krause, and Jerome Krause (Patrick Peralta); grandchildren: Alex Peritz, Brian Krause, Kelli Krause, and Tim (Lizzie); as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Walter in 2018; sister and brother-in-law, Patti and George Pratt; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald and Marianne Krause; and son-in-law, Gary Peritz.