Obituaries: October 18, 2024

Helen A. Zollar
Helen Ann Zollar, 88, of Tower, died on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, in the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital surrounded by her children. At her request, no formal services will be held. A private inurnment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. Helen’s family is deeply grateful to the staff of the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital and its Emergency Department. Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Helen was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Duluth, the daughter of Ben and Marie Wittkop Cismoski and was a graduate of Stanbrook Hall. Helen married Joseph Martin Zollar on July 16, 1960, in Duluth. She was employed by the First National Bank in Duluth, and made many friends including the “Dancing Dollies” who would spend time at the Daisy Bay Supper Club, which is where Helen met Joe. Although she worked several other jobs, her main vocation was being a devoted homemaker. She cherished her family. She was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society.
Helen was a great listener and had a wonderful sense of humor. When life’s challenges prompted her to be strong, courageous and fiercely independent, her steadfast faith allowed her to remain kind, forgiving, positive and generous. Helen was an avid reader, especially of cookbooks, and she was a wonderful baker, especially of pies and potica. One of her favorite activities was to join her dear friends, Janice and Lori, for lunch. She had a creative and artistic eye, and that quality could easily be seen in her home and craftwork. Helen will especially be remembered for making holidays special for her family; she was a gifted memory maker.
Helen is survived by her children, Bernie (Laura) Zollar of Soudan, Gayle (Grant Nevala) Zollar of Frisco, Texas, and Judie Zollar of Proctor; sister, Marilyn Berg of Prescott, Ariz.; grandchildren, Annie (David Waytz) Jacobsen, Christopher Jacobsen and Dylan Zollar; great-grandchildren, Josh, Florrie, Jet and Jana; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, John, David and Martin Cismoski, Betty Dunsmoor and Irene Nelson.

John E. Anderson
John E. Anderson, 76, of Sartell and Ely, died on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at Cherrywood Advanced Living in St. Cloud, with his wife Lee by his side. A celebration of life will take place at Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 with Pastor Jeff Sackett and Pastor Russ Britton officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be sent to Celebration Lutheran Church in Sartell. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.
He is survived by his wife, Lee Blanc Anderson of Sartell and Ely; sons, John “J.D.” (Holly) Anderson of Sartell, Brad (Gina) Anderson of Eveleth and Marty (Stacy) Anderson of Sartell; brothers, Rick (Polly) Anderson of Ely, Dan (Lucy) Anderson of Cloquet and Robert (Marilyn Heiman) Anderson of Alaska; sister-in-law, Jill Anderson of Farmington; and eight grandchildren.

William T. Cox
William “Bill” Thor Cox, 63, devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, after a valiant eight-year battle with kidney failure. Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 with a memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at The Landing Church, 9302 West Skyline Parkway in Duluth. There will be a private burial at a later date.
Bill was born in Hollywood, Calif., on July 15, 1961, to William and Deloris Cox, the second of three children. He always faced life with limitless optimism and a buoyant sense of humor. Bill treasured his relationship with the Lord and cared deeply for his family and friends. He loved sharing the gospel with others.
After losing his father at age nine, Bill felt inspired to take on the role of supportive caretaker for his mother and brothers. When they moved to Duluth to be closer to family, Bill took on small jobs from an early age, delivering papers, doing yard work, raising money for Boy Scout camp, and other activities that he might do to ease the family’s financial burden.
Bill graduated from East High School in 1979, where he participated in band and football. In July 1983, Bill married Kathleen Lynott, the love of his life. He then graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a B.S. in Accounting in 1984.
Bill achieved his dream of working for a Big-8 accounting firm in Minneapolis, beginning with Ernst & Whinney in 1984. In 1993, Bill was recruited to join Metropolitan Financial where he served as Controller. A year later, he joined US Bank as a Senior VP and Assistant Controller for five years after the acquisition of Metropolitan. Bill then spent twelve years with GMAC (now Ally) as Managing Director of FP&A. He blossomed in his new role as a Strategic Planner in finance. Bill carried that expertise on to Ceridian through 2013 as an interim role until joining Green Tree Credit (now Ditech) as AVP and Assistant Controller for four years. As his health allowed, he continued to work as it brought him tremendous joy and fulfillment. He was an extrovert who thrived on interactions with friends and coworkers. Bill was a Director of Finance for Equinity, a VP of Finance for Lend Smart, as well as doing private consulting for three more years. One of his greatest joys was to start two new companies this year, Up North Outdoor Adventures and Superior Accounting Solutions, LLC; the former includes a 35-foot cycle cruise pontoon boat which he dreamed of captaining on Lake Vermilion.
Bill loved being part of his sons’ lives, teaching, coaching basketball, and mentoring. An Eagle Scout, he encouraged his sons to join the Boy Scouts. He served as treasurer and den leader for the Boy Scouts of Pack 28 and also for the Oak Hill Montessori School in Shoreview.
Bill is survived by his wife, Kathleen Lynott Cox; sons, Brian Cox (Amy), Jason Cox and Stewart Cox; granddaughter, Sarah Grace Cox; and brothers, John Cox (Laura) and Mikel Cox (Liz).
He was predeceased by his parents, William and Deloris Cox; and his in-laws, Bill and Mary Lynott.

Louis J. Gornick Jr.
Louis J. Gornick Jr., 98, lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, at Carefree Living in Ely. A Funeral Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at St. Anthony’s Church in Ely. Per his wishes, there was no visitation prior to the service. Military Honors followed at the Ely Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Carefree Living Activity Fund in Ely or East Range Hospice-Essentia Health Virginia. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his sister, Mary Jean Elioff of Ely; and many cousins.

Richard A. Viita
Richard “Rick” A. Viita, 79, of Cook, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Alango. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Online condolences to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com
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