Obituaries: October 28, 2022

Marguerite Skala
Marguerite “Marge” Skala, 82, of Champlin, formerly of Burnsville, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 31 at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Brooklyn Park with visitation for one hour prior at the church. Arrangements are with Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapels in Robbinsdale.
Miss Skala was a high school English teacher at Richfield and spent 20 years in retirement volunteering at the Minnesota History Center and Minnesota Zoo. Marge was proud of her Iron Range roots and had a zest for learning. She enjoyed traveling, walking, photography, the theater, and sharing afternoon tea with friends. Marge loved good chocolate, potica, teaching, and her students.
She will always be remembered for sending cards to acknowledge birthdays and anniversaries of her family and friends.
Marge is survived by her brother, Matt (Connie) Skala; nephew, Jess (Amy) Skala; nieces, Casie Skala (Scott Chiabotti) and Kathy Baucom; great-nieces and great-nephews; and special goddaughter, Mary (Paul) Ravnikar.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Matt and Marguerite “Marge” Skala; and sister, Barbara Baucom.

Sally Lautigar
Sally Lautigar, 88, of Tower, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at Edgewood Vista in Virginia surrounded by her family after a faithful life. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Oct. 27 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Justin Fish as celebrant. Burial was in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements were with Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. 
Sally was born on Jan. 4, 1934, in Virginia, to Fred and Estelle (LaZella) Indihar. She was a graduate of Gilbert High School and later attended St. Cloud State College where she earned a degree in Education. Sally taught elementary school in Virginia for a short time before working as a flight attendant for Northwest Orient Airlines. On Aug. 1, 1959, she married Conrad Lautigar and went on to become a devoted wife and mother. For her children, she was a constant source of encouragement and unconditional love. In 1993, she and Conrad built their home on Lake Vermilion, where they spent many years together enjoying the changing seasons. 
Sally had a passion for music and found joy in playing the piano. Through her gift of music, she touched many young lives as a piano teacher. Later in her life, Sally shared her love of music by serving as the pianist at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower.
Survivors include her children, Greg Lautigar of Tower, Jeana (Bob) Lautigar-McGowan of Edina and Julie (Chris) Beutz of Edina; grandchildren, Kate and Robby McGowan and Jack, Estelle and Amelia Beutz; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Estelle; husband, Conrad; and siblings, Fred and Robert Indihar.

Jack E. Hautala
Jack Ernest Hautala, 88, of Winton, passed away on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at his home. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Marcella A. Homola
Marcella Ann Connors Homola, 94, of Gilbert, died on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, at Edgewood Vista in Virginia. Marcella’s family would like to thank Edgewood Vista, especially Kelly and Steven and Caring Edge Hospice, for their wonderful and compassionate care. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Gilbert with Fr. Justin Fish as celebrant. Burial was in the Gilbert Cemetery. Arrangements were by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.
Survivors include her children, Cathleen (Thomas) Lautigar of McKinley, Mary Lee Pummell of Lakeview, Ohio, Nancy (Michael) Ralston of Lake Vermilion-Tower and John Homola of Gilbert; grandchildren, JoEllen (Brent) Roppe, Melissa Lautigar, Jennifer Lautigar, William (Mindy) Pummell, James (Betty Gibson) Pummell, Sarah (Bryan) Mills, Jeff (Ashley) Ralston, Charity (Chuck) Kauder, Zachary Homola and Brittany (Austin) Kjenaas; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Barb Connors of Grey Eagle; brother-in-law, John Meehan of Gilbert; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Duane Mackie
Duane “Punky” Mackie, 85, of Babbitt, peacefully passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, with his loving wife at his side. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ely Bloomenson Hospital for their compassionate care. There will be a celebration of life from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Fish Tales Tavern (Tank’s) in Babbitt.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene Lepisto Mackie; daughters, Cindy Perrault (Gerald), Bonnie Mackie (Russell Critchell), Lynn Carter and Shannon Mackie; grandchildren, Jessica Thom, Angela Olson, Nicholas Thom and Austin Carter; great-granddaughter, Roxanne Roberts; and great-great-grandson, Alexavier Morales.

Loretta R. Wovcha
Loretta Rosalyn Alto Wovcha, 87, of Virginia and Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Friday, Oct. 14, 2022, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 24 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Burial was in Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia.
She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Jane (Allan) Erkkila of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Matthew, James, Harold, Eleanor, Rosalee and Aleena; and other relatives.

Ramona Peterson
Ramona “Mona” Isham Wallberg Peterson, 64, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, with her loving family by her side. A memorial gathering was held on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Nett Lake Government and Services Center in Nett Lake.
She is survived by her children, Antonio Isham, Jamie June, Matthew Isham, Honor Life Isham and Daciea Isham; and brothers, Ira “Pete” (Doris) Isham and Francis Isham.

James Pryatel
James “Jimbo” Pryatel, 59, of Hibbing, formerly of Ely, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. A service will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Visitation will start at 1 p.m.
He is survived by his mother, Mary Elaine “Bubsy”; daughter, Destiny; several grandchildren; a brother, aunts and cousins.