Norman V. Strong Sr.

Norman V. Strong Sr., 62, of Minneapolis, formerly of Nett Lake, passed away at his residence on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. A funeral Mass was said on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Nett Lake Community Center with Rev. Father Frank Perkovich as the officiant. The casket bearers were Aidan Strong, Corey Strong, Michael Connor, Gene Boshey Jr., Sonny Wilbert Strong Jr. and James Boshey. The honorary bearers were Gary Strong, Wilbur Strong Sr., Justin Boness and Gaynard Strong. Interment was in the Nett Lake Cemetery. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Norman was born in Cook on Oct. 19, 1949, to Louis and Alice (Brown) Strong. He grew up in Nett Lake, and spent time in Duluth, Minneapolis and Colorado. He was a Golden Gloves Featherweight Champion and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He worked in construction, where he became a welder. He enjoyed harvesting wild rice, watching TV sporting events and National Geographic, and spending time with his family. Norman was a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.

Norman is survived by three sons, Thomas Nicholas of Little Falls, Ulysses Strong and Norman Strong Jr., both of Minneapolis; three daughters, Crystal Strong and Alice Strong, both of Minneapolis, and Joey Day of Virginia; two sisters, Cecile Strong and Carol (Glen) Heinen, both of Virginia; his former wife, Roberta Morrison of Minneapolis; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Louis in 1974; his mother, Alice Whiteman in 2002; three brothers, Roger Strong in 1964, Terrence Strong in 1996 and Louis Strong Jr. in 2005; and a sister, Cynthia Strong in 1983.

Tauno E. Maki

Tauno E. Maki, 94, of Winton, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A commemorative gathering will be held on Friday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Winton Community Church. Refreshments will follow. Military rites will be provided by the Ely Honor Guard.

He was born on June 16, 1917, to Westeri and Hulda Maki in Winton. He married Jo “Peppy” Mavetz on June 16, 1917; they were constant companions until her death on March 14, 2010. Tauno served as a B17 pilot, 1st Lt, 351st Bomb Group, Eighth Air Force during WWII. On Sept. 12,1944, on the crew’s second mission, they crash landed in Belgium. Tauno returned to combat and flew 35 more missions. He was awarded the Air Medal with five Oak Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Battle Stars and World War II Victory Medal. In September 1984 he returned to Belgium for the 50th anniversary of the crash landing. Tauno was a prolific writer and local historian in his later years and contributed many letters, articles and stories to area publications, including the Ely Echo. He was proud of his self-published books “Maximum Effort” and “Winton”. In addition, he served as Mayor of Winton, was a past VFW commander and a member of the Ely-Winton Historical Society.

He is survived by his daughter, Gloria (Joe) Bowen of Ely; granddaughter, Jory; grandson, Kai; great-grandson, Ace; and many special nephews and nieces, including Bob (Joyce) Maki of Ely and Jim (Mary) Maki of Winton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jo; brother, Toivo (Chick); and sister, Tynne Niininen.

Marcella Mollers

Marcella Mollers, 88, of Tower, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Golden Horizons Assisted Living in Tower. A gathering time for family and friends will be held on Monday, Dec. 12 from 12 noon until the 1 p.m. memorial service in Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. Pastor Aaron Lofgren will officiate. Spring inurnment will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Tower. Family services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Marcella was born on Nov. 2, 1923, in Kugler Township, the daughter of Ole and Julia (Josjor) Nelson. She was a 1941 graduate of Tower-Soudan High school and a 1943 graduate of the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester. Marcella grew up during difficult economic times when options were limited for women. She chose nursing and worked as a registered nurse, head nurse and assistant superintendent of nurses at Virginia Municipal Hospital until 1951. In 1954, after working as a Public Health Nurse for St. Louis County, she was appointed director of the Pioneers Infirmary in Virginia and the Mesaba Nursing Home in Buhl. In 1962, she married Ted Mollers and moved to Golden Valley.

During her years in Golden Valley, she encouraged her sister Pauline to go to college and became a second Mom to her nieces and nephew. She taught them to garden, to fix things around the home, to understand football, and to change a tire; their careers in nursing, teaching, baking and journalism are all a testament to “Aunt‘s” influence.

At her cabin on Lake Minnewawa, she volunteered countless hours to the Lake Minnewawa Association raising money to purchase a weed harvester; a recent purchase of a new harvester was named ‘Marcella’ in her honor.

Marcella moved back home to Tower in 1994 and was elected to the City Council. During her term, she updated the City Charter. As a member of the Women’s Club, she helped plant and tend the flower boxes on Main Street. She would enlist her sister to help ‘deadhead’ the geraniums when she came to visit. She worked hard to make the world a better place for everyone with whom she shared her life. And she shared her life, knowledge, and generosity with many.

Marcella made lists of all the things she wanted to accomplish in a day and would cross them off when they were done, one task at a time. Now she has reached the end of her list and found peace in the loving arms of our Lord and Savior. We will miss her dearly.

Marcella is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Pauline and George Johnson; nephews and nieces, Cathy (Larry) Kurvers, Jim (Linda) Griffiths, Sandi (Rev. Kevin) Olson, Cristina Stoeckel, Paul (Mary) Juntunen, Mary (Chuck) Lemieux, Carol (Dean) Peterson, Nelson (Dottie) Beard, Richard (Jan) Beard, Maureen (Mike) Murdoch and Ginger (Tim) Kessel; several great-nephews and great-nieces; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Theodore Mollers; parents, Ole and Julia Nelson; and sisters, June Nelson, Barbara Vesel and Mary Juntunen.