Elizabeth Joanne Surla, age 78, of Virginia, died Friday, January 14, 2011, in the Virginia Regional Medical Center. She was born January 22, 1932, in Eveleth, the daughter of Atry and Fay (Ilomaki) Ellison. She was a graduate of Eveleth High School, and married Miles Surla on June 10, 1948 in the Serbian Orthodox church in Chisholm.
She worked at the Cluett Peabody Shirt Factory, Woolworth's, and sold Sarah Coventry Jewelry. She enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with Miles, she played the piano and organ, enjoyed sewing, knitting, and spending time on her computer.
Joanne is survived by six children: Rod (Alva) Surla, of Battle Mt., NV, Rebecca Swiegart, of La Luz, NM, Miles Surla, Jr., of Virginia, MN, Robin (Paul) Stepan of Tower, MN, Dawn (David) Chiabotti of Eveleth, MN, and Wendy (Dan) Salo of Watkins, MN; Sister: Atrina (John) Koski of Fargo, ND; Brother-in-law: Joseph (Pat) Surla of Cook, MN; and Sister-in-law: Audrey Surla of Eveleth, MN; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Joanne was preceded in death by: her husband: Miles; Parents: Atry and Fay Ellison, Grandparents: John and Johanna Ilomaki of Angora and August and Elizabeth Ellison of Eveleth; Sisters: Eleanor (Albert) Capek of Eveleth, Shirley (Ray) Humphreys of Ortonville, MI, Brothers-in-laws: Dan Surla and Robert Surla.
Memorials are preferred to Apostolic Lutheran Church of Kingston, MN
A Gathering Time for Family and Friends will be held Thursday, January 20, 2011 from 10a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Service in the Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel in Virginia. Spring Inurnment will be in the Eveleth Cemetery.
Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To leave remembrances of Joanne online, please see: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.

Gathering Time for Family & Friends 10 am - 11 am ,Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792
Memorial Service 11 a.m. ,Thursday, January 20, 2011
Bauman-Cron Funeral Home Chapel
516 South First Street Virginia, MN 55792