Obituaries: April 18, 2025

Justin Grotberg 
Justin Grotberg, 35, of Vermilion Lake Township, succumbed in the evening of Thursday, April 3, 2025, from injuries acquired in his battle with brain cancer. There will be a celebration of life from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Lamppa Civic Center, 602 Main Street in Tower. 
Justin was born in Bemidji to Christina Hujanen-Premo and Richard Todd Grotberg on Aug. 29, 1989. Justin lived a truly incredible life, reaching out to many people and having stories for all. Justin spent his last years by the side of his mother who passed just last February. Justin loved his family dearly. He graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in the class of 2008 where he was voted prom king his senior year. He would often talk about his trip to play in the Metrodome in the state baseball tournament with the BEST Beavers. He originally started college at Mesabi Range Community College where he aspired to be an accountant, but after coaching the Tower-Soudan elementary teams in flag football and basketball he shifted his career path toward physical education. He took this pursuit to Duluth where he studied at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. While in Duluth, Justin worked at Old Chicago where he was unanimously voted biggest a*%hole four years in a row. Justin loved to pull pranks and make people laugh. 
Justin found another passion when he started sailing with the racing team, The Kraken, on Lake Superior. His dream was to start up a sailing school either on Lake Vermilion or in Hawaii. Justin spent his time golfing, sitting around the campfire sharing stories with family and friends, spending time in Nimrod, and floating down the river. Justin was a movie quote connoisseur and enjoyed the finer things in life. Justin was very passionate about food; he enjoyed bartending and talking to everyone who crossed his path. He will be greatly missed by those who have had the pleasure of knowing him. 
Justin is survived by his father, Richard Todd Grotberg; stepfather, Bobby Hujanen; brothers, Mark Grotberg, Brock Peterson, Ryan Hujanen and Logan Hujanen; and many other family members. 
He was preceded in death by his mother, Christina Hujanen-Premo.

James E. Brandenburg
Minnesota has lost a legend. One of the world’s most celebrated nature photographers, James “Jim” Edward Brandenburg, 79, passed away peacefully at his Medina home on Friday, April 4, 2025. He was surrounded by his wife Judy, daughter Heidi, and granddaughter Olivia. He had been privately battling anaplastic thyroid cancer for seven months with further complications from pneumonia in 2025. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to an organization of your choice that works to protect our natural environment. Arrangements are with David Lee Funeral Home of Wayzata. 
Jim was born in Luverne on Nov. 23, 1945, to Edward and Olga Aanenson Brandenburg. He was an environmentalist, philanthropist, photographer, author and filmmaker. He graduated from high school in Luverne in 1963, and attended Worthington Community College and the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he studied Art and Art History. In 2006, he received an honorary Doctorate of Human Letters degree from the University of Minnesota. 
He started his photographic career at the Daily Globe in Worthington. For the next 30 years he worked as a contract photographer for the National Geographic Society, traveling worldwide primarily for the National Geographic Magazine. He was twice named the prestigious Magazine Photographer of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association. 
In 1988, he began publishing 10 of his bestseller books, including White Wolf, Brother Wolf, and Chased by the Light. In 1991, for his work with Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, Minn., his creation of the nonprofit Concerts for the Environment, and his work with The Nature Conservancy, he received the United Nations’ 500 Environmental World Achievement Award, which was presented to him by the King of Sweden. Jim Brandenburg’s well-known image of the leaping Arctic wolf was named one of the100 most important photos in Canadian history and was included in the book 100 Photos that Changed Canada. His work appeared in a collection of the 40 most important nature photographs of all time, which included the work of Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Eliot Porter. The collection, selected by members of the International League of Conservation Photographers, included four of Brandenburg’s images, the most of any photographer. In 2023, he was awarded the National Geographic Lifetime Achievement Award from his fellow National Geographic photographers. 
The award-winning Secrets from a Forest, his first full-dome movie production for the Bell Museum of Natural History in St. Paul, premiered in 2023. Worldwide, Jim has long been considered one of the most influential nature photographers of his time with awards too numerous to mention; but for all the accolades and recognition, he remained a humble, quiet and kind man, drawn to the hushed beauty of the world. He was an inspiration to many. 
Jim and his wife Judy founded the Brandenburg Prairie Foundation and have helped preserve over 1,200 acres of prairie in southwest Minnesota, at Touch the Sky Northern Tallgrass Prairie, a unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prairie refuges. They also worked with the Minnesota Land Trust to put a Conservation Easement on their beloved Judd Lake in northern Minnesota. 
Jim made his home in Ely and Medina; his Brandenburg Gallery locations are in Ely and Luverne. 
Jim Brandenburg is survived by his loving wife, Judy Frederiksen Brandenburg; daughter, Heidi Brandenburg and husband Nels Pierson of Ely; grandchildren, Olivia Ross, Liam Ross and Lindsey Brandenburg; sister, Judy (Bill) Stanton of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and many other loyal friends and family who loved him. 
Jim’s son, Anthony Brandenburg, preceded him in death on Feb. 24, 2025. 

Pearl H. Koskela 
Pearl Helen Koskela, 87, of Embarrass, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Essentia Health Hospital in Virginia. Arrangements are being handled by Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 

Jeffrey S. Lange 
Jeffrey Scott Lange, 57, of Angora, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in his home. Arrangements are entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home and Cremation Services. 
He is survived by his wife, Valerie Fesnick Lange; children, Nick and Claire; parents, Rudy and Marion “Chicky” Lange of Chisholm; sister, Shirley (Russell) Johnson of Cook; sister-in-law, Joyce Lange of Angora; nieces, Sarah, Katie and Becky; nephews, Andy and Erick; nine great-nieces and great-nephews; an uncle; two aunts; many cousins; parents-in-law, Stan and Sandy Fesnick; and sisters-in-law, Michelle Gonzalez and Nancy Fesnick. 

Margaret A. Yernatich 
Margaret Agnes Yernatich, 88, of Duluth, passed away peacefully from cancer with her family by her side, on Friday, April 11, 2025, at her daughter’s home in Champlin. She was excited for her trip to Eternity where she was looking forward to meeting her loved ones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23 at St. John’s Catholic Church, 1 W Chisholm Street in Duluth, with visitation held one hour prior to the Mass. Interment will be at a later date at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower, next to her husband Jack. Arrangements are by Dougherty Funeral Home of Duluth. 
Margaret was born on Holy Thursday, March 25, 1937, in Soudan, the daughter of John and Agnes Skala Tekautz. Margaret grew up in Tower, living above Skala’s Tavern with her cousins through junior high. She received her sacraments at St. Martin’s Catholic Church and attended the Tower-Soudan schools where she was active in Girl Scouts, band, orchestra, cheerleading, the Senior Choir, class plays, and the TA-SA-HA Newspaper. She dated Jack Yernatich throughout high school, where they were the homecoming king and queen, graduating in the class of 1955.
After high school, Jack and Margaret earned their barbering and cosmetology licenses. They were married on May 25, 1957, in Tower. She was employed at The Beauty Nook in Tower and became its owner/operator in 1977, when she moved the shop next to Jack’s Barber Shop. They ran their businesses side-by-side and lived above their shops on Main Street until 2000 when they retired to Duluth. 
Margaret attended all her family’s events and was their biggest fan. She was a Girl Scout leader, den mother, religion teacher, and hosted many homecoming floats being built in the family’s garage. She sewed cheerleading uniforms, warm-up pants for the basketball team, and always decorated the shop’s windows for tournament games. She loved spending time with her family, whether going on car trips to the State Fair, or to the cabin. She always cooked everyone’s favorites and made everything a party. Although the internet was not fast enough for her, she quickly became tech savvy and used technology to stay connected with her family. She loved her phone and iPad. 
Margaret was proud of her Slovenian heritage and devoted in her Catholic faith. She made the best potica and prayed “all the time” even for many she did not know. She was the queen of organizing and went full speed into any project. She knit a multitude of slippers, sweaters and blankets, made quilts, painted an entire Christmas village of ceramic houses, co-chaired Tower-Soudan’s All School reunions, ran many Fourth of July parades, and kept all the flowers on Main Street watered in the summer. She was a member of the Tower Women’s Club, Tower-Soudan Historical Society, Old Settlers, Slovenian Union of America, KSKJ Lodge, and Church Council.
In retirement she continued to play the piano, make new friends, play cards, plan wine nights, and visit. No one ever left her place hungry. She especially loved cooking weekly meals for her “Duluth girls” and visiting with her great-grandchildren. Margaret will be missed by all. 
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Mary (Paul) Ravnikar of Champlin; sons, Dan (Crystal) Yernatich of Mt. Iron and Dave (Sandra) Yernatich of Plymouth; daughter-in-law, Yvonne Yernatich of Duluth; eight grandchildren, Jacquelyn (Tom) Smith, Josh (Sarah) Yernatich, Jessie Yernatich, Kelly (Austyn Lind) Yernatich, Jack (Payton Melville) Yernatich, Marisa (Jake) Williams, Megan Yernatich and Joe (Sidney) Yernatich; fourteen great-grandchildren, Agnes, Anthony and Teresa Smith, Cole, Caden, Cale, Ava, Colin, Chase and Cooper Yernatich, baby boy Lind to arrive in May, and Weston, Ella and Beau Williams; brother, John Tekautz of Tower; sister-in-law, Marlene Saretzky of Springfield, Va.; two nieces, three nephews and numerous cousins, godchildren and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Agnes Tekautz; husband, Jack (2009); son, Matt (2021); nephew, Bradley Yernatich; and in-laws, Jerry and Kathy Yernatich and Dimitri Saretzky. 

Viona A. Hildebrandt 
Viona “Vi” Ardis Vogh Hildebrandt, 86, of Embarrass, died in her home on Friday, March 7, 2025. A memorial gathering is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Village Inn in Virginia. 
Vi was born on Jan. 6, 1939, in Wright County. She graduated from West High School in Minneapolis in 1957, where she participated in Kamera Klub and choir. She married Ginther Hugo Hildebrandt, and adopted Dean in 1963. Around 1988, Vi moved to Embarrass and set up homesteading on her 28-acre farm. There she raised chickens, pigs and turkeys, as well as canning the produce from her garden. She dabbled in many different crafts such as making candles and soap, stained glass and many types of needle and fiber arts which she would sell at local craft fairs. She particularly loved collecting milk glass and copperware. Phone calls to her usually included a conversation about what the family bear was up to. Vi enjoyed getting together with the Lunch Bunch to share a meal and lots of laughs. 
Vi is survived by her sisters, Velm Lager of Brainerd and Virginia Klinger of Dundas; grandchildren, Kandis Hildebrandt and Tony Hildebrandt; great-grandchildren, Isaac, Alani and Ariana; and many nieces and nephews. 
She was preceded in death by her son, Dean Hildebrandt; brothers, Victor Vogh and Vernon Vogh; and parents, Charles and Lucille Vogh. 

Virginia M. Tuura 
Virginia Mae Ukkola Tuura, 96, of Babbitt, died peacefully at home on Saturday, April 5, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. 
She is survived by her sons, Bruce Tuura (dear friend Sandy) and Tom Tuura; daughters, Laverne (Rick) Ellis, Bev (Loren) Gorecki, Cheryl (Paul) Zillmer and Missy (Kevin) Carlson; 11 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; sisters, Kay Kitch and Bernice Herm; brother, Erland Ukkola; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other family.

Sydney F. J. Wiltshire
Sydney Francis Joseph Wiltshire, 85, of Cook, died on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the Cook Hospital as the result of a head injury he suffered two days earlier when he fell. A memorial service with Military Honors will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 5 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
He is survived by his brother, Neil F. (Dee) Wiltshire of Beaumont, Calif.

Frances Rozman
Frances “Fran” Devich Rozman, 97, of Minnetonka, originally of Ely, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025, surrounded by family. A family gathering will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 18 in Ely. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to enjoy a peaceful moment by the lake or watch the birds, just as Fran would have. Arrangements are with Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

Jessica J. Dusich 
Jessica Jonette Dusich, 71, of Ely, passed away on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 25 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation one hour prior. Father Charlie Friebohle will be the celebrant. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
Jessica was born on March 4, 1954, to Frances Albina Zakrajshek Dusich of Gheen and Michael Nick Dusich of Dojutrovica, Croatia. Growing up in Ely in the 1950-1960’s post-WWII decades was an idyllic time for children, for the neighborhood, and for Jessica, with Saturday sidewalk car washes splashing everyone on hot summer days as The Beach Boys’ songs filled the streets from Thunderbird convertibles cruising by. 
Ely schools nurtured her love of reading and learning, providing opportunities for leadership at State Clarinet Competitions, as the Ely High School Band President, and Pom Pom Girls Debut season. Four years of German language classes with Norma Gourley established a solid foundation for additional language studies over the decades. 
Winona State University and the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis inaugurated a lifestyle of lifelong learning both formally and informally in educational institutes. Jessica’s first nursing job in the Mayo Clinic-Rochester system offered her positions for establishing initial stateside hospital, clinic and research nursing work. She achieved certification as a Legal Nurse Consultant with which she established a research consultancy practice. 
Jessica’s interest in cultures and languages and her passion for helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged led her to serve as a public health nurse in Croatia with the American Refugee Committee, presently Alight, during the Bosnian War, 1993-1994; in deep Peruvian, Amazonian headwater jungles with Rainforest Health Project, 1996; for Romanian Iron Crib babies of the Ceausescu era from stateside, 1985; in the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix as a territorial clinic manager, 2002 - 2005; and for Haitian children and teens rescued from child and sex slavery stateside with Restavek Freedom, 2017 -2022. 
More recently, back in her hometown of Ely, her volunteerism has been local with P.E.O. Philanthropic Educational Organization Chapter FD, Ely Food Shelf, Ely Senior Center, Northwoods Partners, and Slovenian Union of America Branch 23. 
Jessica’s lifelong love of Christian Scripture, The Trinity and Prayer nurtured and enriched her as a Guardian through decades of service and life. 
Jessica is survived by her siblings, Michael Dusich Sr., Patricia (Joseph) Ljubic, Daniel (Jayne) Dusich and John M. Dusich; nieces and nephew, Tiffany Rados, Michael J. (Alyce) Dusich Jr., Tina (Mike) Dittel, Alexandra (Jamie) Kaiser, Crystal Culhane, Letitia (Mark) Lofquist, Brittany (Stephen) Swarts; many great-nieces and great-nephews; cousin, Bernie (Kari) Dusich among others internationally; and special friends for whom she was truly grateful, who have touched Jessica’s life deeply throughout the decades and most recently.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; sister, Darlene (Matt) Felando; and special aunts and uncles.
She is survived by her children, Tom Rozman (Dina) and Mary Hall (Alex); grandchildren, Julia (Casey), Claire (Ian), Ellyn (Nick), Matthew, Andrew, Rachel, Isabel and Anna; and great-grandchildren, Kylie, Dax, Madison and Emilie.