Dale J. Leecy

Dale J. Leecy, 74, of Nett Lake, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Nov.10 at Nett Lake Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Lasley as the officiant. Burial was at the Bois Forte Cemetery. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

He was born on Aug. 19, 1937, in Nett Lake, where he grew up and lived most of his life. He had a great range of interests and work experiences, some of which were as a member of the ISD 707 School Board, Bois Forte Rice Committee, Bois Forte Conservation Committee, Bois Forte Ambulance Crew and as a custodian for the RTC. He worked on the Nett Lake River Dam Project, was the foreman on the Banug crew of Operation Mainstream and a heavy equipment operator and heavy equipment instructor at the Staples AVTI. Dale was a Golden Gloves trainer, a weight-lifting and fitness buff, enjoyed snowmobiling, mud racing, photography, hunting, gardening, loved boxing, wrestling and all sports. He followed Orr High School sports and was an avid supporter of the Orr Braves in football and basketball. Dale was a great storyteller and enjoyed the many good times with his nieces and nephews. He had archeological interests, liked music - especially classic rock - and liked to cook and bake; he loved his dog, “Tiny”.

Dale is survived by his mother, Josephine Chavers of Nett Lake; siblings, Jewel Day Walker, Jeanne Ann Day, Edward T. (Cathy) Chavers, William Chavers, James Chavers, Cheryl Leecy, Charlene Leecy, Debbie Leecy, Gail Leecy and Wendell Leecy; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Leecy; brothers, Ike and Mike Leecy; and sisters, Charmaine Leecy, Carol Isham, Lavelle Chavers, and Janice Day, in infancy.

Jeanette A. Flank

Jeanette “Jeanne” A. Flank, 76, of Cook, passed away unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. Memorial services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook with Rev. Dennis Morriem as the officiant. The honorary bearers were Jeanne’s grandchildren. The music was provided by Pam Ruuska. Burial took place at the Morcom Township Cemetery in Bear River. Arrangements were with  Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Jeanne was born in Hibbing on Feb. 24, 1935, to Henry and Adeline (Scofield) Arnebeck. She grew up in the Bear River area and graduated from Alango High School in 1954. She continued her education at the College of Cosmetology in Virginia, earning her license in cosmetology in 1955. Jeanne was united in marriage to Raymond A. Flank on Aug. 6, 1955, at the Bear River Lutheran Church. They settled in Bear River where they resided until moving to Cook in 1967. She worked in several beauty salons, then earned her Cosmetologist Salon Manager License and opened “Jeannie’s Beauty Salon” in her home in the early 1970s. Her career spanned 56 years; she announced her retirement on Nov. 1, 2011, the day before her passing. She was the dedicated hairdresser for Mlaker Funeral Home for the past 28 years, and was appreciated by the families she was called to serve. Jeanne enjoyed her profession and made many deep, long-lasting friendships throughout her career.

Her favorite interest was traveling and seeking new places. Jeannie and Raymond traveled extensively throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Europe. Their favorite destination was Colorado Springs to see their son Ross and his family. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook and previously served on its council. She was known for her great sense of humor, enjoyed reading novels, liked crafts and baking, and enjoyed socializing. Her family fondly recalls her passion was keeping a meticulously clean home. Jeanne was a devoted wife, cherished mother and grandmother, and a dear friend to many; she will be greatly missed.

Jeanne is survived by her two daughters, Marla (Thomas) Kahn of Cook and Deanne (Terry) Howard of Orr;  two sons, Craig (Valerie) Flank of Bear River and Ross (Cynthia) Flank of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nine grandchildren, Dustin Kahn, Ryan Kahn, Jordan Howard, Reed Howard, Davis Flank, Gena Flank, Sarah Holmes Flank, Melissa Memmott and Geneva Keen; two great-grandchildren,  Aasun Kahn and Mercedes McIntire; a sister in-law, Delores Olson of Hibbing; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry (1987) and Adeline (2002) Arnebeck; her husband of 55 years, Raymond Flank on Jan. 14, 2011; and a sister, Doreen Skraba on Feb. 4, 1997.

Jeffrey A. Lucachick

Jeffrey A. Lucachick, 58, of Bramble, passed away on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at Evergreen Terrace in Grand Rapids under hospice care. Funeral arrangements are pending with Mlaker Funeral Home.

Jack M. Mattonen

Jack M. Mattonen, 75, of Embarrass, died on Monday, Nov. 7, 2011, at SMDC-Essentia Health in Duluth. Funeral services were held on Friday, Nov. 11 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia with Pastor Joel Kallberg of True Hope Fellowship officiating. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

Jack is survived by his wife of 55 years, Wilma Mattonen of Embarrass; two sons, David (Mary) Mattonen of Springfield, Mo., and Donald (Joy) Mattonen of Virginia; two daughters, Donna (Chad) Mattonen-Healy of Montrose and Diane (Gregg) Kristian of St. Louis Park; five grandchildren, Jeff (Kelli) Johnson, Stephanie (Chad) Nemitz, Andrea Kristian, Anna and Julia Mattonen; four great-grandchildren, Caitlin, Jackson, Marin and Mitchell; one brother, Wesley (Jackie) Mattonen of Independence, Mo.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Patricia Crunkilton

Patricia “Patti” Honkola Crunkilton, 61, of Brooklyn Park, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011, at University Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at Hope Lutheran Church in Embarrass with the Rev. Ben Buchanan officiating. A light lunch will follow.

Survivors include her husband, Bruce of Brooklyn Park; sons, Darrick (Marlo) Checco of St. Bonifacius and Ryan Checco of Brooklyn Park; granddaughters, Montana and Brynn; grandson, Kyle; brothers, Harold, Rodney, Patrick and Keven; sister, Heidi; father- and mother-in-law, Al and Jackie Crunkilton of Coushatta, La.; and several nieces and nephews.

Esther L. Pohto

Esther L. Pohto, 97, of Alango, died on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at the Eveleth Fitzgerald Nursing Home with family at her side. The family would like to thank the staff at the Eveleth Fitzgerald Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to their mother during her stay there. At Esther’s request there will be no services. Burial will be in the Alango Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

She is survived by one son, David Pohto of Alango; one daughter, Elaine Pohto of Foxboro, Wis.; one brother, Arnold (Shirley) Ojanen of Cook; one sister, Sigrid Kontio of Cook; four grandchildren, Jodi, Eric, Zachary and Isaiah; three great-grandchildren, Harley, Isaiah II and Sophie; and many nieces and nephews.

Vivian E. Kivela

Vivian E. Kivela, 91, of Virginia, died on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011, at St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church in Virginia with Pastor Donald C. Norr officiating. Burial was in the East Pike Cemetery. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia. Memorials are preferred to St. Michael’s Foundation.

Survivors include a son, David Kivela of Forest Lake; two daughters, Dianne (Gary) Poague of Columbus, N.C., and Patricia (David Koeneman) Zalar of Virginia; seven grandchildren, Kevin, Jeffrey, Laurie, Anne, Kristine (Tim), Elizabeth (Jim) and Nicole Radtke; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Kallio of Superior, Wis.; a brother, Otto Kangas of Sandy Township; two daughters-in-law, Ruth and Shirley; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Charles T. Saari

Charles T. “Charlie” Saari, 65, of Sartell, formerly of Embarrass, died on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. A graveside service was held on Monday, Nov. 7 at the East Pike Cemetery.

Charlie is survived by his wife, Kathy of Sartell; children, Matthew (Jodi) of Apple Valley and Julia (Christopher) Saari-Franks of Springfield, Mass.; granddaughters, Brenna and Avery; mother, Nannie of Embarrass; and brother, Virgil of Embarrass.

Edwin Hockin

Edwin “Bruce” Hockin, 85, of Hoyt Lakes, died on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011, in his home with his family by his side. A private family service was held on Friday, Nov. 4. Burial will occur at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, PO Box 413, Hoyt Lakes, MN 55750 or the Lake Superior Hiking Trail Association, PO Box 4, Two Harbors, MN 55616.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Charlotte; seven children and 12 grandchildren, Douglas Hockin (Melody), and children Corey and Ariel of Otis Orchards, Wash., Randyne Badiuk (Thomas) and children Cynthia and Timothy, of Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada, Susan Lesica (Martin) and children Michele and Andrea of Boise, Idaho, Gary Hockin (Julie) of Tower, Jeffrey Hockin (Terrie) of Casper, Wyo., David Hockin (Melanie) and children Aubrey, Ryan, Mia and Nicholas of Maumee, Ohio, and Timothy Hockin (Jennifer) and children Maxwell and Elizabeth of Wausau, Wis.; nephew, Ronald Hockin of Hudson, Wis.; nieces, Barbie Murphy (Rev. James) of Colorado and Edna Ciurleo, of Duluth, brothers-in-law, Robert Gibson (Lolita) of Florida and Donald Gibson (Janice) of Duluth.

Grace J. Breen

Grace Jean Breen, 88, of Palos Heights, Ill., died on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial was said on Monday, Nov. 7 in St. John’s Catholic Church in Biwabik with Rev. Steven Daigle as celebrant. Interment was in Lakeside Cemetery. Family services were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.

Grace is survived by sons, Michael (Dawn) Breen of Tower and Kevin Breen of Palos Heights, Ill.; granddaughters, Bridget and Colleen Breen; sister-in-law, Marilyn Smith; nephews, Michael and Robert Smith; and nieces, Julie Smith and Mary Henschel.