Obituaries: June 13, 2025

Susan R. Miller
Susan R. “Sue” Miller, 82, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by family. In the week preceding her death, her home was filled with most of her grown children, their spouses, and several grandchildren, as they came to surround her with love, say goodbye, and ease her journey. Join the family for a celebration of Sue’s life at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 28 at the Ely Gospel Church, followed by cake, coffee and storytelling at Semer’s Park Pavilion in Ely.
Sue was born in Beaver Dam, Wis., to Howard and Margaret “Peg” Carmany in July 1942. Her family moved to Appleton when she was young and later made their home in Ft. Atkinson. She told wonderful stories of her childhood. She and her sister Karen worked at their dad’s clothing store, went on buying trips, and fishing and hunting trips with him. There were stories of her mom teaching her to drive the car, summer days spent at the cottage in Waupaca learning to water ski and drive the Chris-Craft. After graduating from high school, Sue attended college in Eau Claire, where she fell further in love with speech, debate and theater.
In 1964, Sue married Victor Mitchell. They had two children before Sue was widowed at the age of 25. She went on to remarry and had four more children before that marriage ended. Her family was the center of her universe, and she worked hard to support everyone. She scooped ice cream at Bridgeman’s, worked at Wilderness Outfitters, and spent years working at Ely-Bloomenson Hospital. While her youngest child was finishing high school, they moved to the Twin Cities metro area where she worked at Honeywell and later Dow Brands. After surviving a brain aneurysm and stroke at the age of 49, Sue learned to walk, talk, drive, write, and live again. She moved back to Ely, where she continued to recover and then went on to work as a home health aide for over 20 years. Sue finally retired when she was 78. It took time for her to adjust to a slower pace of life, but she enjoyed her garden, her family and friends, and eventually, some quiet.
It would be hard to find someone more optimistic or enthusiastic about life and the people in it. Sue loved music, theater, nature, anything her kids or grandkids were interested in, and PEOPLE. She was everyone’s biggest fan and cheered as loudly for others as she did for her own kids and grandkids.
Sue is survived by her children, David Mitchell (Becky), Meg Svensson (Mike), Lori Boes (Phil), Lisa Wagenbach (Cliff), Jody Miller (Nora), and Jeff Miller; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Karen Hein; nephews, Todd Dicello and Victor Basinger; Allen Weir; and so many who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Victor Mitchell; parents, Howard and Margaret Carmany; stepfather, Everett Hein; stepbrothers, Richard, Don and Bruce Hein; grandsons, Jacob and Tony; and granddaughter, Erin.

Rosemary Vesel
Rosemary Bischoff Vesel, 92, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, surrounded by family, friends, and loving caregivers at Carefree Living in Ely. Visitation will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28. A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. with a commitment service to follow at the Birch Lake Cemetery. The family invites those who knew Rose to the Grand Ely Lodge that day from 2 to 5 p.m. as a time for sharing memories and honoring a life well lived. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Deb Atwood of Mankato, Dave Vesel of Ely, Terry (Lisa) Vesel of Side Lake, and Geraldine (Brian) Saari of Duluth; daughters-in-law, Sandy Vesel of Eau Claire, Wis., and Sherry Vesel of Hoquiam, Wash.; grandchildren, Jason (April) Roy of Ely, Jen (Brandon) Schmidt of Mankato, Chris Vesel and Josh Vesel, both of Ely, Amber (Clynt) Kistler of Prescott, Wis., Jacquelyn (LaSalle) DeeCarlo-Omoruyi of Lakeville, Mitch (Meghan) Vesel of St. Paul, Jacob Saari and Kendall Saari, both of Duluth; many step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Jade, Dominic, Andre’, Liam, Wyatt, Luella, LJ and LaRae; several step-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Lauralie S. Branstrom
Lauralie “Lori” Siiri Luthanen Branstrom, 82, of Birch Lake-Babbitt, originally of Ely, died on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. A small gathering will happen at a later date. Arrangements are by Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her daughter, Siiri (Michael Peters) Branstrom; son, Steve (Gail) Branstrom; grandchildren, Linnea (Jeff) Janas, Lucas Branstrom and Ian (Lydia Symchych) Peters; and great-grandchildren, Aili and Oskar Janas.

Kathleen R. Burgess
Kathleen “Kathie” R. Burgess, 77, of Andover, originally of Tower, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Arbor Oaks Senior Living for the compassionate care they provided in her final years. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 20 at Kozlak-Radulovich Blaine Chapel in Blaine, with visitation one hour prior.
She is survived by her sons, Todd (Heather) Feroni and Kim (Shanna) Feroni; grandchildren, Sophia, Jack, Vinny, and Alex; siblings, Sally (Jack) Thompson, Susan (Frank) Cebelinski, Rebecca Aysta, and Dale (Linda) Burgess; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Thorsten Sabie
Thorsten “TJ” Sabie, 86, of Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Essentia Health in Virginia. Arrangements are being made with Range Funeral Home of Virginia.

Thomas J. Sutter Jr.
Thomas Joseph Sutter Jr., 82, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 7, 2025. A private celebration of life will be held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his children, Thomas Sutter III (Lisa), Scott Sutter, Joshua Sutter (Sammantha), and Jenna Sutter (Tony); brother, Jerome Sutter (Oak); and many grandchildren and extended family.