Obituaries: Oct. 25, 2019

Marvin Lamppa
Marvin Lamppa, 86, of Duluth, formerly of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, in the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 at Atkins-Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Duluth. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet and a time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home.
Marvin was born on Feb. 14, 1933, in Embarrass, to William and Helen (Sipola) Lamppa. He married Carolyn Card on April 9, 1981, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Marvin received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and his graduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He taught history in Iron Range schools and community colleges for many years. He also developed and taught a course in the history of Minnesota’s mining districts for Bemidji State University before becoming director of the Iron Range Interpretative Program in 1977. During his time as director, he served as a member of the State Historical Records Advisory Board and was instrumental in bringing about the Iron Range History Center, a state-of-the-art archives and research facility in Chisholm, known as Minnesota Discovery Center today.
His master’s thesis, Ghost Towns and Locations of the Vermilion and East Mesabi Mining Districts, was the launching of a passion for historical preservation of the Iron Range. He established the first Iron Range history course for the Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School, which is still in use today. Marvin’s unique way of storytelling captured his audience and inspired them to pursue their own passions. Marvin is known as the writer and host of an epic twelve-hour documentary series for PBS/WDSE-WRPT, Iron Country, which premiered in 2000. In 200,4 he received the Northeast Minnesota Book Award for a companion book, Minnesota’s Iron Country, Rich Ores, Rich Lives.
Marvin Lamppa will be remembered as a legendary teacher, mentor, coach, author, public speaker and storyteller. He will be deeply missed by family, relatives and friends.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Carolyn Lamppa; son, Robert (Anne) Lamppa of Ashland, Mass.; daughter, Pamela Lamppa of Webster, Mass.; stepdaughter, Amanda Teague of Duluth; stepson, Allen Teague of Priest River, Idaho; brother, William Lamppa of Virginia; grandchildren, Christopher Serrilla, Justin Teague, John Lamppa, Thomas Lamppa and Sarah Serrilla; and four beautiful great-grandchildren, Molly, James, Clark and Julianne.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Koska.
Helen Marconett
Helen Marconett, 97, of Virginia, has died. In her last two years she was at Waterview Woods in Eveleth and in the hands of the caring staff there. There will be no memorial service, according to her wishes. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Helen was born on March 21, 1922, to Sigurd and Hilma (Hendrickson) Copperud. She grew up in Virginia and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1939 and Virginia Junior College in 1941. She continued her education, leaving Virginia for Baltimore, Md., enrolling in and graduating from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in 1944. Helen married Bert Marconett in Monroe, La., on Sept. 23, 1944. After WWII, Helen worked as an RN in the Virginia Hospital. While living in Minneapolis she had various volunteer positions, helping the disabled throughout her life. In her later years, she tutored students who were attending Mesabi Range College in Virginia.
Helen was known for her chocolate chip cookies, cinnamon bread, and hot fudge sundaes. She was an avid bridge player and Minnesota Twins fan until her mid-90’s, and loved all types of card games. One of her favorite pastimes was reading books, fiction and non-fiction alike. She also loved to travel, both in the U.S. and internationally, and enjoyed her time at the cabin on Breezy Point-Lake Vermilion. Helen was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church in Virginia.
Helen is survived by her son, David (Patti) of Albuquerque, N.M.; daughter, Jean (Roger Borowick) Marconett of Rochester; granddaughter, Kate (Keenan) Jackson of Albuquerque, N.M.; two great-grandchildren, Jonesy and Grant Jackson; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her memory will be cherished by many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bert in 1992; parents; sister, Anne; and brothers, Roy and Bruce.

Melvin Luhta
Melvin Luhta, 88, of Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Marion Saranpaa
Marion Saranpaa, 94, of Embarrass, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Waterview Shore Assisted Living in Two Harbors. Arrangements are pending with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Curtis Harris
Curtis A. Harris, 77, of Virginia, formerly of Babbitt and Ely, died on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A private family service was held. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Janice Couillard Harris; son, Eugene Harris of Hibbing; daughter, Vicki Harris of Aurora; sister, Sandy (John) Hodgkins; six grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.