Obituaries: May 30, 2025

Marjorie L. Wallin
Marjorie Lynn “Margie” Wallin, 66, lost her battle with cancer on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Tower. Margie’s family would like to thank the staff of Vermilion Senior Living and her social worker, Carolyn Pohjonen, for the wonderful care provided to her. In addition, they would like to thank the staff of Essentia Health in Virginia and Duluth for providing her health care over the past months, and East Range Hospice for the comforting care she received the past two weeks. Also, a special thanks to Margaret Maki for assisting in Margie’s care.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home in Virginia. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. Lunch will be served following the service. Inurnment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Vermilion Senior Living Activity Fund, 1232 Birch Street North, Tower, MN 55790. Margie loved the special activities provided by the center. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Margie was born in Virginia on Jan. 2, 1957, to Raymond and Lorraine Skarp Wallin. Margie was a 1977 graduate of Virginia High School. She attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Margie enjoyed spending time at Lake Vermilion and going on outings with Dave and Sandy.
Margie is survived by her brother, David (Sandy) Wallin of Lake Vermilion-Tower and The Villages, Fla., and their children, Sara (Keith) Altobelli of Mt. Iron, Sandra (Jose) Barrios of Monument, Colo., Katie (Jeremy) Lockwood of Virginia and Nick Richards of Virginia; great-nieces and great-nephews, Skyler, Michaela, Logan, Zach, Payton, Kaylynn, Tyler, Ashlyn, Noah and Vivian.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Mark Wallin and Glenn Wallin; niece, Sheila Wallin; and aunt, Marjorie Skarp.

Robert J. Dale Sr.
Robert James Dale Sr., 80, of Aurora, formerly of Embarrass, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Dec. 18, 2024, after many months of battling cancer. There will be a celebration of life at the Embarrass Town Hall at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, followed by inurnment at the Waasa Cemetery in Embarrass. Family and friends are welcome to attend.
He is survived by his wife, Laura Dale; son, Robert (Carmen) Dale; daughters, Amy Dale and Tanya Dale; Laura’s children, Christopher (Jackie) Heishman, Terri (Adam) Kopel, Crystal Heishman and Ricky Heishman; siblings, including Norman Jr. who passed away in February, Rodney (Chris) Dale, Ronnie, Gary (Kathy) Dale, Gwen (Craig) Keskitalo, Tammie Dale (Cal) Lynes, Craig Dale and Wayne “Toivo” (Kathy) Dale; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Albert J. Harvat
Albert James “Al” Harvat, 94, of Tower, passed away on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Virginia Regional Medical Center. A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 30 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served in the church basement following the funeral. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
Al was born on Feb. 7, 1931, in Ely, to John and Mary Harvat. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1949. Al worked for Reserve Mining Company for 31 years and was known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and hard work. After retiring from Reserve, Al continued working during the summers for about 10 years, operating a gravel truck for Dave Desannoy. He enjoyed staying active and being involved in local projects. Al was an active member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church and enjoyed spending time outdoors, especially fishing and relaxing at the lake. ln later years, he developed a strong interest in home improvement and took pride in working on projects around the house well into his 90s.
Al is survived by his life partner, Gwenn Lilya; six of his children, Merrie Trembath, Polly Beadu, JoJo Harvat, Alberta Harvat, Liesl (Peter) Provoznik and John Harvat; 24 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; nine honorary grandchildren; and four honorary great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Harvat; and daughters, Teresa Beaudry and Katie Harvat.