Obituaries: May 21, 2021

Leslie F. Holappa
Leslie Frank Holappa, 68, of Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, May 16, 2021, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia with Pastor Brian Birk officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home of Virginia and Hibbing.
He is survived by his wife, Candace Holappa; three children, Shelley (Mark) Curtiss, Kari (Dennis) Beaulieu and Leslie “L.J.” Holappa; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

William Pucelj
William “Willy” Pucelj, 98, a lifelong resident of Balkan Township, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 22 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
He is survived by his grandchildren, Julie (Kevin) Leecy of Tower, Robert Pucelj of Chisholm and Katie (Jason) Lorenzen of Burnsville; great-grandchildren, Alexis Munter, Brennan Pucelj, Daphne and Cale Lorenzen; nieces, Charlotte (Jim) Russ, Jean Taramelli and Janis (David) Bartholomay; and nephew, William (Shirley) Taramelli.

Frances Isham
Frances “Cisco” Isham, 71, of Nett Lake, passed away on Thursday, May 13, 2021. A wake was held on Monday, May 17 at the Nett Lake Government and Services Center. A Traditional Service was held on Tuesday, May 18, also at the center. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Betty J. Johnson
Betty Jane Dahlin Johnson went to join her heavenly family and her Lord on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 9, 2021. A celebration of life was held on Thursday, May 20 at First Baptist Church in Cook. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Lois M. Asleson
Lois Marie VanDeHey Asleson, 86, of Embarrass, died on Friday, May 7, 2021, in the Aurora Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center in Sheboygan, Wis. A graveside service was held on Friday, May 14 at the Waasa Cemetery with Bill Bauman as the officiant. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
She is survived by her children, Ronald (Linda) Asleson of Embarrass, Debra (Ben) Jeziorski of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and Sharon (Mark) Weise of Plymouth, Wis.; siblings, Mary Ann (Curtis) Jesme, Marvin VanDeHey, Donald (Norma) VanDeHey and Betty (Tim) Lund; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.