Obituaries: April 24, 2026

Timothy L. Kotzian
Timothy Lee Kotzian, 77, of Tower, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Essentia Medical Center in Virginia. A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 13, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Lamppa Civic Center in Tower. At his request, Tim’s cremains will be interred in his favorite Arco coffee can. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.
Tim was born in Virginia on Jan. 31, 1949, and was raised in Tower by his parents, Edward Kotzian and Regina “Tootsie” Chiabotti Kotzian. He was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School, where he met his high school sweetheart, prom date and future wife, Nancy Eidelbes.
Following graduation, he went on to earn a BA in Education from Bemidji State University. Tim worked in mining during the summers of his college years, but became a teacher following his graduation, initially working in Marshfield, Wis., for three years before returning to Tower, where he spent the rest of his life.
Tim worked construction for a time before securing a teaching position at the Tower-Soudan School. When a round of layoffs came, he made a career switch that proved significant, initially working as the manager of the Tower municipal liquor store before assuming the position of the city’s clerk-treasurer in the early 1980s. Tim was well-suited to the position and he devoted himself to the city’s success for the nearly three decades that he served in the role. He was successful in bringing millions of dollars in funding to the city to replace and expand infrastructure and he was instrumental in advancing the vision of restoring the harbor.
Tim kept his hand in education, however, even as he worked for the city. He served several terms on the Tower-Soudan School Board, including as board chair. During his tenure, he helped engineer the consolidation of the struggling district with the St. Louis County schools. Tim also saw the potential of the city’s former fire hall. He bought the building in the 1980s with Charles Cathcart and spent hundreds of hours stabilizing the foundation and renovating portions of the building, effectively saving it from demolition. His efforts have been credited with saving the historic building for the more extensive renovations undertaken by the Tower-Soudan Historical Society.
Throughout his adult years, Tim loved spending time with his family, particularly time in the outdoors with his three boys, Jeb, Luke and Jordan. They built two log cabins on Lake Vermilion and a hunting shack near Buyck, and Tim was always at his happiest when spending time there. He enjoyed fishing and carrying a rifle while “deer hunting” though he preferred to leave the shooting to others, taking on the roles of camp cook and sauna tender instead.
Tim suffered a massive stroke in 2011, and it forced him to retire from the city and left him with many months of rehabilitation to learn even the basics of living again. But Tim persevered and regained most of his former abilities even though some health issues remained. As his health conditions worsened over the years, Nancy devoted her life to caring for him at home until his final hours.
Tim is survived by his wife, Nancy; siblings, Keith (Sue) Kotzian, Bruce (Annette) Kotzian, Corrinne (Dan) Hill and Rochelle (Steve) Bradow; sons, Jeb, Luke and Jordan; daughters-in-law, Bobbi and Darcy; and grandchildren, Nick, Jake, Adria, Joe, Zahven and Viggo.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a young son, Aaron.

Kathryn M. Vogh
Kathryn Marie Vogh, 82, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 24 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. A celebration of life will follow at the Vermilion Club on Lake Vermilion in Tower. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 
Kathy was born on Dec. 5, 1943, in Pipestone, to Gerald and Ruth Evans, one of thirteen children in a close-knit family. Kathy graduated from Pipestone High School before moving to Minneapolis to attend business college, where she formed friendships that would last a lifetime. A small-town girl embracing city life, she carried her warmth and spirit wherever she went. On Jan. 13, 1968, she married Victor Vogh, beginning a lifelong partnership built on love and shared dreams. Together, they made their home in Eagan before eventually settling on Lake Vermilion in Tower in 1976, a place close to their hearts and one they had long dreamed of calling home to raise a family there.
Kathy and Vic welcomed their son, Craig Alan, in May 1968, and their daughter, Lynn Marie, in May 1970. Kathy devoted herself to her family as a homemaker, taking great joy in being present for her children’s lives. She was actively involved in school activities and helped lead a local 4-H club, always taking a genuine and loving interest in the lives of her children and their friends. She also devoted many years of service to the Greenwood Township Auxiliary, serving as treasurer and contributing to the meaningful impact the organization and its members made within the community.
Kathy had a giving nature and quietly helped others when she could, including assisting with home cleaning. She found her greatest happiness in time spent with family and friends, whether enjoying summers on the lake, winter snowmobile rides, attending concerts, sewing, baking or traveling with her daughter. She cherished her large and loving family, including her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who became like family. Kathy’s kindness was constant and sincere, and those who knew her will remember the warmth and love she shared so freely.
Kathy is lovingly remembered by her children, Craig (Sheri Hendricks) Vogh of Tower and Lynn (Terry) Kerntz of Ely; grandchildren, Tyler (Nicole) Vogh, Ashley (Tyler) Lund, Travis (Nissa Honkola) Vogh, Patrick (MacKenzie) Kerntz and Steven Kerntz; cherished great-grandchildren, Blake Pineo-Vogh, Brynnley Lund, Liam Autio, Meleeah Autio, Jay Vogh, Jonah Vogh, Kaiya Kerntz and Carson Kerntz, with another great-grandson expected in June 2026. She is also survived by her siblings, Raymond (Ginny) Evans, Lucille (James) Klein, Barbara (Gary) Jopp, Bonnie Sexton, Mary (Gary) Anderson, Gloria Evans, Jim (Mary) Evans, Janelle (Randy) Gorter, Dennis (Jennifer) Evans, Joyce Crawford and Jerry (Ruth) Evans; sisters-in-law, Karen Vogh, Ginny Klinger, and Velma Rierson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other extended family. She is also fondly remembered by Marcy Vogh, mother to three of her grandchildren; and many dear friends who were like family to her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor “Vic” Vogh in 2002; parents, Gerald and Ruth Evans; father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Lucille Vogh; sister, Geri Raatz; brother, Ron Evans; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Brian Crawford, Steve Sexton, Ron Raatz, Vern Vogh and Vi Hildebrandt.

Carole E. Engel
Carole Elizabeth Engel, 81, of Crane Lake, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Rapid City, S.D., after a courageous battle with failing lungs. A celebration of life will be held in Crane Lake in June, with a second gathering in Rapid City in November. Details will be shared with family and friends as they are finalized. Carole’s faith carried her through life’s journey, and we take comfort in knowing she now rests in the Lord’s eternal peace. E Hoʻomaha Me Ka Maluhia. Rest in peace, Carole.
Carole was born on Aug. 5, 1944, in Rochester. She lived a life that was rich with adventure, love, and a stubborn determination that anyone who knew her would recognize in an instant.
Carole graduated from John Marshall High School in Rochester in 1962 and on June 9 of that same year, she married the love of her life, Gary Engel, which kicked off what can only be described as a full-value life. Together, Carole and Gary built a world of adventure, from piloting float plane trips into the Canadian wilderness to traveling the globe. They made a home on a lake in Linwood, kept a cabin in Togo, and eventually turned a cabin on Kingfisher Island on Sandpoint Lake in Ontario, Canada, into their full-time residence. When winter rolled around, you could find Carole and Gary soaking up the warmth on Molokai, embracing the island life they loved so dearly. When traveling to Hawaii was too difficult, Carole and Gary wintered in Rapid City, S.D.
Carole had a creative streak and spent many happy hours painting Santa Claus statues, a hobby that brought joy to everyone who received one. She was also an active member of her community, serving as the gambling manager for the local snowmobile club. And for those wondering, yes, she did change her name from Carol to Carole, because that was just the kind of woman she was. When she decided something, that was that.
Carole is remembered by her family and loved ones. She is survived by her devoted husband, Gary Engel; daughter, Wendy (Greg) Mercil; son, Jeff Engel; five grandchildren, Megan (Casey) Iossi, Andrea (Robert) Sokoloski, Sam (Jennifer) Engel, Rachel (Zach) Lindsey and Sara Engel; and five great-grandchildren, Wesley, Ryleigh, Mason, Liam and Cooper.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Burch; father, Orrin Seeverts; father-in-law, Everett Engel; mother-in-law, Lois Engel; sister, Donna (Keith) Mathews; brother, Bill Seeverts; stepbrother, Terry Kopperud; and stepsister, Sandy Kopperud.

Eunice A. Przybylski
Eunice Arlene Dietrich Przybylski, 92, formerly of Ely and Babbitt, found peace on the morning of Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after a courageous battle with dementia. She passed away at Monroe Manor Assisted Living in Barron, Wis. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 2 at First Lutheran Church in Ely, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m.
She is survived by her son, Vance Przybylski; daughter, Susan Colvin; grandchildren, Brent Ackerman, Chandra Colvin and Isabelle Przybylski; great-granddaughter, Brooke Ackerman; sisters, Laura May and Judy Hendrickson; sisters-in-law, Donna Przybylski and Susie Przybylski; extended family, the Camerons; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Robert A. Kallio
Robert Allan “Bob” Kallio, 84, of Aurora and Embarrass, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at home under hospice care. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 24, with visitation at 10 a.m., at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Greg Anderson officiating. Interment will be at the Waasa Cemetery in Embarrass. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Sisu Heritage, Inc., Box 71, Embarrass, MN 55732, the Our Saviors Quilters, or a charity of choice. A big thank you to the Moments Hospice Team especially Susan, Maddie and Katie for the wonderful care and compassion they gave him.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Lorna Haberman Kallio; sons, Kevin (Trish) of Embarrass, David (Jen) of Wynne Lake-Aurora and Curt (Teresa) of Chaska; brothers, Eugene of Lincoln, Calif., Kenneth (Barb) of Embarrass, Fred (Nancy) of Two Harbors and Dale (Steph) of Cloquet; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and many special friends.