Obituaries: October 11, 2024

Raymond L. Marsnik
Raymond L. “Ray” Marsnik, 83, of Ely, passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Lunch will follow. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
Ray was born in Ely to George and Mary Kalsich Marsnik on March 2, 1941. He was the youngest of 13 children. He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in the class of 1959, Ely Junior College and Bemidji State University, where he received his master’s degree. He taught for 35 years in the Lake County Schools, Biwabik and Mesabi East Schools. He coached football and basketball for many of those years. He retired from teaching in 1998. He served on the Ely School Board from 2001 to the present. He was set to retire this year. He served as board chair for most of those years. Education and sports were his passion. He especially loved the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He married his wife Pat on Dec. 30, 1982.
Ray is survived by his two stepchildren, Trish (Barry) Weisinger and John (Heather) Scufsa; five grandchildren, Emily (Danny) Forsman, Stephen (Becky Murphy) Weisinger, Addison Scufsa, Rebekkah Scufsa and Rachael Scufsa; great-grandson, Isaiah Forsman; sisters, Ruth Mahin and Jeanette McManus; sisters-in-law, Beth Petersen and Barb (Steve) Fultz; brothers-in-law, Bob Baier and Charlie McNulty; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Pat; and siblings, Marie Yakich, Frances Weiler, Leo Kuzma, Donald Kuzma, George Marsnik, Albert Marsnik, Leonard Marsnik, Bernard “Fuzzy” Marsnik, Annette Marsnik and Lori McNulty.

Thomas J. Efta
Thomas J. Efta, 70, of Babbitt, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at his home. Funeral arrangements are pending with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.