Obituaries

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,...

Jun 9, 2021

Richard Andrew "Rick" Nelson, age 73 a lifelong resident of Tower-Soudan died Wednesday, June 9, 2021 in Essentia Health – Virginia Care Center. He was born December 26, 1947 in Soudan, the son of Richard O. and Elsie Bertha (Falk) Nelson; was a graduate of and swam competitively for Tower-Soudan High School, and was a graduate of...

Jun 8, 2021

Debra Kay Stimac, age 66 of Virginia died Tuesday, June 8, 2021 in Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. She was born May 2, 1955 in Brainerd, MN the daughter of Howard and Elizabeth (Johnston) Burleigh.

Debra was a longtime Virginia resident, and married David John Stimac on November 11, 1978. She was a devoted homemaker, who...

Jun 7, 2021

Shirley Maria Sarkela, age 90 of Virginia died Monday, June 7, 2021 in the Waterview Pines. She was born July 3, 1930 in Ely, the daughter of John and Olga (Waris) Kari, was a graduate of Embarrass High School and earned a degree in CSR Supply Management. Shirley lived in Ely, Seattle, Embarrass, and Babbitt prior to moving to...

Jun 4, 2021

Donna Mae Miller, age 90 of Tower died Friday, June 4, 2021 in the Essentia Health Virginia Care Center. She was born July 6, 1930 in Huron, South Dakota, the daughter of Geoffrey and Alice (Anderson) Biggerstaff. Donna lived in Cloquet and Coleraine prior to being a longtime Tower resident. She was employed by the Cluett-Peabody Arrow...

Jun 3, 2021

Susan Marie Johnson, age 70, longtime resident of Hibbing, died Thursday, June 3, 2021, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Mt. Iron, MN.   She was born May 1, 1951, in Hibbing the daughter of Leonard and Georgia(Hocking) Hydukovich. She was a graduate of Hibbing High School and went on to receive a Bachelor's Degree in Education and...

Jun 2, 2021

Paul David Anderson

July 17, 1941-June 2, 2021

Paul David Anderson was born July 17, 1941 in Soudan, MN.  Paul worked at Erie Mining/LTV and was able to retire after 41.5 years of faithful service.  In true Paul fashion, he took his eternal nap on June 2, just a few weeks...

May 29, 2021

Ray Allen Panula, age 74 of Buhl died unexpectedly on May 29, 2021. He was born February 20, 1947 in Hibbing the son of Taimi and Roy Panula. He was confirmed at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hibbing and attended Hibbing Schools. Ray entered the Navy on 6 JAN 1966 and served on Nightly River Boat...

May 27, 2021

Eleanor Sigrid Johnson, age 87 of Virginia, died Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Edgewood Vista in Virginia. She was born November 19, 1933 in Duluth, the daughter of Iver and Sigrid (Hokkanson) Kjellman and was a 1951 graduate of Proctor High School. Eleanor married Roy E. Johnson on July 31, 1954 in Proctor and they moved to...

May 25, 2021

William (Bill) Ketola passed away May 25th, 2021 in Virginia, MN.  William Charles Ketola was born December 30, 1938 in Virginia, MN to Edmund and Florence Ketola.  Bill graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1957 and attended Macalester College in St. Paul.   On August 5, 1961, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Judith Wallis, at St. Joseph's...

May 22, 2021

Kimberly Renee Anderson, age 42, lost her long struggle with anxiety, alcohol and depression on Saturday, May 22, 2021. She was born July 13, 1978 in Virginia, the daughter of Rodney and Barbara (Christensen) Anderson. Kim was a Class of 1996 graduate of Mountain Iron-Buhl High School, and a graduate of Mesabi Range Community and Technical College,...

May 21, 2021

Timothy "Timmie" Norman, 68, of Britt, MN, passed away on May 21st after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on August 14, 1952, in Virginia, MN, the son of Thomas and Margie Norman.  After graduating from high school in 1970, he first went on to work in the mines, but that kicked off a 50-year...