Obituaries: October 29, 2021

Eleanor A. Phillips
Eleanor Aune Phillips, 98, of Angora, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Alango-Angora. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Eleanor was born at home in Idington, on July 18, 1923, to Solomon and Susanna (Koski) Alt. She graduated from Alango High School as Valedictorian. While in school, she worked at the Angora Coop and at the Idington School as a hot lunch cook. She married Raymond Phillips on Nov. 5, 1942. Eleanor and Raymond moved to Chicago, where she worked at Haber Screw Machine Company, and then transferred to an aircraft plant as a plane parts inspector. The young couple was blessed with their first son, Larry, who was born in Chicago in 1947. Eleanor and Raymond moved back to Minnesota in October 1949, where they were blessed with two more sons, Lee in 1950 and Jay in 1953. They bought a home in Sturgeon and co-managed the Sturgeon Co-Op for 17 years. Eleanor drove a rural mail route for 28 years before retiring in 1984.
Eleanor loved to travel; she and Raymond traveled the country coast-to-coast. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, camping and snowmobiling. Eleanor loved dancing to Country Junction. She was a longtime member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a member of the Homemakers Club, and served on the Sturgeon Town Board for several years. She also served as a fire warden after the death of her husband Ray.
Eleanor is survived by her sons, Lee (Lynne) Phillips and Jay (Sharon) Phillips; grandchildren, Kit (Sarena) Phillips, Ryan Phillips, Jesse (Sheena) Phillips, Scott (Holly) Phillips, Grant Phillips, Troy (Mary) Rasch and Wade (Lori) Rasch; and great-grandchildren, Milo Phillips, Levi Phillips, Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Phillips, Victoria Phillips, Brittany Phillips, Natalie Rasch, Michael Rasch, Connor Rasch and Laura Rasch.
She was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband of 71-and a-half years, Raymond; son, Larry Phillips; grandson, Chris Phillips; sisters, Susan Kumma and Gertrude Rahikainen; and brothers, Walter Alt and Arne Alt.

Rohl C. Peterson
Rohl Carlo Peterson, of Tucson, Ariz., died on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. There will be no funeral service.
Rohl was born on Aug. 5, 1935, in Breitung Township, the son of Ruth (Anderson) Peterson and Carl “Cully” Peterson. He graduated from Northome Minnesota High School and continued his education at Itasca Junior College in Coleraine (now ICC) and Bemidji State University where he earned his education degree. He obtained his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota. He met his wife, Patricia Miller Peterson, while teaching in the Virginia School District and they were married in Babbitt on Feb. 10, 1962.
Pat and Rohl lived in Britt during their working years. In retirement they spent their summers on Lake Vermilion-Cook and winters in Tucson, Ariz., at the Voyager RV Resort. In Tucson, Rohl volunteered his time to the National Park Service which he enjoyed very much, especially climbing the mountains. Rohl and Pat loved traveling the country and the world researching their genealogy. They have provided their family members with valuable family history. Rohl always had a story to tell and was interested in sharing it. 
Rohl is survived by his wife, Pat of Tucson, Ariz. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Carl Peterson.

Katherine L. Lenich
Katherine Louise Telich Lenich, 95, a lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at the Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen (Jim) Harley and Lucy (Greg) Currie of Eagan; son, Franklin (Pam) Lenich of Hibbing; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sister, Jean Vasicek of Lady Lake, Fla.

Susan K. Burland
Susan Kay Burland, 77, of Orr, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Services are pending with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Francis D. Connor
Francis “Tuna” David Connor, 61, of Tower, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at his home. A wake was held on Monday, Oct. 25 and a traditional service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 26, both at the Bois Forte Government and Service Center.
He was born on Jan. 26, 1960, in Cook, to Lawrence and Olive (Villebrun) Connor. Tuna was a bright, spirited individual and would befriend almost anyone he would meet. He had an infectious smile and was always cracking jokes and laughing like a mallard. Tuna served in the U.S. Army for four years and spent most of his time stationed in Germany. He worked over 20 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the local 49ers. Tuna’s hobbies were fishing, watching sports with friends, and playing bingo. He enjoyed going to concerts. Most importantly, he was a great son, father, sibling, uncle and friend.
Tuna is survived by his mother, Olive Connor; children, David Connor and Vanessa Connor; stepchildren, John Kingbird and Dylan Fee; granddaughters, Andreanna and Kylie; siblings, Lawrence “Tejon” Connor Jr, Lois “Coke” (Howard “Daddy Dean”) Graham, Annamarie Dorr, Darrell “Pete” Connor, Karen Connor, Kay Connor, Kelly Rutar and Ruth Connor; and many nieces, nephews and friends.  
He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Connor Sr.; brothers, Loren “Hawk” Connor and Alden “Ottie” Connor; and nephew, JosH Rutar.