Obituaries

Jul 31, 2021

Cynthia Lee (Kamunen) Westby June 18th, 1955-July 31st, 2021

Cindy, 66, of Britt, MN went home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 31st after a long and courageous battle with COPD. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family.

She was born on June 18th, 1955...

Jul 27, 2021

William "Bill" Bruce Berg, 65, of Virginia, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at the Waterview Woods in Eveleth, MN.

He was born April 25, 1956 in Virginia, the son of Leslie and Shirley (Harris) Berg.  Bill was a graduate of Virginia High School.  He was employed at US Steel, worked numerous years at Iron Trail...

Jul 22, 2021

David Brian Pavlich, age 67 of Tower died Thursday, July 22, 2021 of complications from Acute Myeloma Leukemia at Vermilion Senior Living in Tower, MN. He was born May 22, 1954 at Mt. Sinai Hospital, Chicago IL the son of Jack B. and Evelyn Pavlich. Dave graduated from Morton West High School in 1972.  After graduation, Dave...

Jul 20, 2021

Robert (Bob) Joseph Champa Jr., 70, of Ely, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 20, 2021.

He was born to parents Robert and Helen Champa on October 30, 1950 in Winton, Minnesota.

He graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1969 and went on to study...

Jul 18, 2021

Kenneth Siebert, age 82 of Virginia, died Sunday, July 21, 2021 at the Waterview Pines in Virginia. Ken was born November 24,1938 in Thief River Falls, the son of Paul and Alma (Rausch) Siebert, and grew up on the family farm in Goodridge, MN.  He enlisted in the United Sates Army and served from 1958 until 1961. Ken married...

Jul 18, 2021

Sally Ilene Christopherson, age 81 of Lake Vermilion – Tower, died Sunday, July 18, 2021 at Edgewood Vista Senior Living Center in Virginia. She was born September 27, 1939 in Virginia the daughter of Roy and Ruth (Salminen) Rankila; was a graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High School, Class of 1956; and earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of...

Jul 17, 2021

Robert Charles Clemons, age 62, of Cedar Valley died peacefully in his sleep Saturday, July 17, 2021 in his home.  He was born February 3, 1959 in Hibbing, the son of Casper and Jennie (Maki) Clemons.  He was a graduate of Hibbing High School where he lettered in swimming.

Bob worked as a...

Jul 17, 2021

Eugene "Gene" A. Mielke passed on July 17th into the afterlife, surrounded by his family and accompanied by his lord and savior. He was born to Lawrence and Cecelia (Krenz) Mielke at their family home in St Paul, MN, on 5/11/1934, the fourth of five children.

He is preceded in death by his...

Jul 12, 2021

Marlyn Lowell Meckola, age 93 of Parkville, died Monday, July 12, 2021 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born August 29, 1927 in Meadow Township, MN the son of John and Meta (Burgau) Meckola, attended District 52 school, and joined the Merchant Marines at age 17, serving in the South Pacific. He enlisted in the United...

Jul 9, 2021

Dennis "Starcie" Starcevich, age 83 of Virginia, died Friday, July 9, 2021 at Essentia - St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.  He was born November 1, 1937 in Grand Rapids, the son of John and Fern (Clusiau) Starcevich.  He married Janet Orazem on Aug. 29, 1959, and they traveled around the world with the Military from 1959...

Jul 2, 2021

Renee Ann Ridgeway, 59, of Hibbing, went to be with her Lord & Savior after passing away peacefully on July 2nd 2021,  at the University of Minnesota Medical Center- Minneapolis, primarily due to complications from transplanted lung rejection. Renee was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, November 4th, 1961, the first child of Fred and Phyllis Angelo....

Jul 1, 2021

Amanda (Mandi) Dawn Bjork, age 30 of Virginia died July 1, 2021. She was born November 20, 1990 in Gillette, Wyoming, a true gift from God to her parents, Todd and Kimberly Bjork (Larson) who waited 8 years for a child. Amanda lived in Wright, Wy until her parents moved back to MN in 1996. She grew up in...

Jun 29, 2021

Richard "Dick" Breezee died peacefully in his home on June 29th, in Angora, MN at the age of 79.

Richard is survived by his children; William "Bill" Breezee, Peggy (Mike) Herzog, Richard (Barb) Breezee Jr., Michelle (Brian) Hanson, Samuel Breezee; grandchildren, Michael, Bryan, Kira, David, Johnathon, Christin, Robyn, Mike Jr, Alexandria, Kayla, Kaylee, and Brianna; and many...

Jun 27, 2021

Rachel C. Stenstrom, age 64, longtime resident of Hibbing, died Sunday June 27, 2021 at her Side Lake cabin.  She was born September 28, 1956, in Lewiston, MT, the daughter of Jimmy and Lucille (Pollard) Nelson.  She was a graduate of Bagley High School, and went on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy from Gustavus...

Jun 25, 2021

Kyle Williams was born on July 25, 1996, to his mother Janet. Growing up, he enjoyed spending summers with his siblings and cousins at his grandfather's home. He graduated from Mesabi East High School. He attended Itasca Community College for his Associate's Degree in Engineering. After college, he went on to work on the technology team at...

Jun 24, 2021

Jacob T. Carlson, age 44, of Babbitt and formerly of Virginia died Thursday, June 24, 2021.  He was born October 11, 1976, in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, the son of Richard and Leila (Klaras) Carlson.  He was a graduate of Virginia High School and Mesabi Community College.

Jacob worked for Northshore Mining Co.  He had...

Jun 23, 2021

Donald Joseph Erchul Sr. passed away peacefully on June 23. Don was born on December 20, 1931, to Joseph and Mary Erchul in Soudan, MN. Don attended and graduated from Tower-Soudan high school in 1949. Don enlisted in the Air Force after high school and graduated 2nd in his communications class of 250 airmen and...

Jun 23, 2021

Geraldine E. "Geri" Cicmil, age 90, of Hibbing and formerly of Side Lake died Wednesday, June 23, 2021, in her home with family at her side.  She was born December 8, 1930, in Iron Mountain, MI, the daughter of Clarence and Nellie (Gordon) Jetty.  She was a graduate of Hibbing High School.  Geri was united in marriage...

Jun 18, 2021

Ronald P. "Moe" Salminen, age 66, of Chisholm and formerly of Stingy Lake, died Friday, June 18, 2021, at his home.  He was born March 2, 1955, in Hibbing the son of Werner and Verna (Fearing) Salminen.  He was a graduate of Hibbing High School.  Ron was united in marriage to Christine Carpenter on December 19, 1975,...

Jun 15, 2021

Kenneth Warren Trembath, age 97, longtime resident of Hibbing died Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey, MN.  He was born October 5, 1923, in Hibbing, MN, the son of Albert and Alice (Hannula) Trembath.  He was a graduate of Hibbing High School.

Kenneth worked as a machinist for US Steel,...