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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries - April 5, 2019

Posted

Albert V. Asleson

Albert Vandoren “Buck” Asleson, 93, of Embarrass, died on Friday, March 29, 2019, in St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center in Virginia. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 3 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Babbitt with Pastor Jonathan Varns officiating. Spring interment will take place in the Waasa Cemetery. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. 

Buck was born on April 2, 1925, in Greenbush, the son of Asle and Nedeline (Buley) Asleson, and grew up in Greenbush, one of 10 children in his family. Buck served in the United States Navy during WWII from June 1943 to January 1946 and was assigned to the Construction Brigade’s 33rd and 4th Battalions “Seabees”. He was stationed on many different islands in the South Pacific and was on Okinawa at the end of the war. His unit received a commendation for building an airstrip in a record time of 19 days. Buck married Lois VanDeHey on July 5, 1952. They moved to Embarrass in 1960 and raised four children there. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Saint Louis County. Buck was active with his Church Council, served on the township board, the Embarrass-Vermillion Federal Credit Union board, and was an instructor for snowmobile and gun safety training courses. He was often found woodworking in his garage, and fixing and repairing just about anything. Buck liked to read and study the Bible, and enjoyed word search puzzles. 

Buck is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois; children, Ronald (Linda) Asleson of Embarrass, Debra (Ben) Jeziorski of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., and Sharon (Mark) Weise of Plymouth, Wis.; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by children, Albert, Donna and Ginger; and siblings, Oscar, Arlo, Gladys, Beatrice, Clara, Minnie, Velma, and two brothers in infancy.

Daniel E. Radle

Daniel “Dan” Edward Radle, 57, of Orr, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 at the Orr American Legion. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Dan was born to Tom and Magdalane “Dillon” Radle on Dec. 31, 1961, in Virginia. He grew up in Orr and graduated from Orr High School in 1980. Soon after, Dan went to work on the oil rigs as a “roughneck”. He always said that is where he got his muscles. Dan then returned home to Orr to work for Forest Abramson at Abramson Construction (later to be called KGM Contractors Inc.). He would log with Tony “Norton” Norman for various logging companies in the off-season. During this time, he met and married the love of his life, Rebecca Kay Warren. They were united in marriage on Aug. 9, 1986. They were blessed with three children. Shortly after marriage, Becky joined him at KGM and they worked together, played together, camped all over Minnesota for various work projects, and met many amazing people along the way. He and Becky did everything together and sure had the time of their lives. He was a foreman and heavy equipment operator for KGM and had a huge passion for his job. He always made sure the job got done right and many of his employees admired his leadership and work ethic. He continued to work for Forest at KGM Contractors Inc. for a total of 32 years until he and Becky retired together in 2017. He was also a proud member of Local 49.

Dan enjoyed fishing, hunting and golfing, especially if it included his family and friends. He loved boating and he and his family would take a vacation on Ebel’s Houseboats every summer. He also enjoyed taking RV trips with Becky to Florida to make memories with their close friends Katy Ebel (and family) and Mike Hoffer. He also took his family to Texas every year to visit his mother and brother. Dan loved to dance. He was always moving to the music, no matter where it was playing. His family remembers his smile and contagious laugh, and that he “had some killer moves”, the “Sprinkler” and the “Chainsaw” to name a couple. Dan loved to tinker in the garage. He had a genius mind for mechanics which allowed him to fix anything. He was a Master Mechanic and Jack of all trades. He eventually used his talents to open his own shop “Radical Repair” which he proudly ran until his illness no longer allowed him to work.

Dan had an adventurous spirit and knew no fear of anything. Although he had an intimidating stature, he was light-hearted and a soft Teddy bear on the inside. He was also a man who would help anyone out; no matter the time of day or night, he was there for the people of his community and family. Dan was generous to a fault. He would give his last dollar; the only reward he needed was knowing that he put a smile on someone’s face. When he wasn’t giving, he was joking around with everyone ……always the goal in life: to smile, laugh and enjoy life to the fullest!

Dan was a rock to his family, and he loved them with all of his heart and soul. Throughout his life, Dan and Becky were the best of friends, spending every waking moment together and loving life with their two fur babies, Jozi and Jazi. His children and grandchildren were the light of his life; the sun rose and set on them. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and took the time to teach them things and pass down his knowledge. Dan was treasured by his family and he will be dearly missed.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Radle of Orr; children, Kelsey (Patrick) Norri of Virginia, Courtney Radle of Orr and Thomas Radle of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Alauna “Lucy” Boshey, Weslee Norri and Charlee Norri; step-grandchildren, Wyatt and Rylee Jo; sisters, Celine Radle of Duluth and Colleen (Marty) Parker of Zimmerman; mother-in-law, Kay Warren of Lakeland; sister-in-law, Brenda Warren of Biwabik; brothers-in-law, Mike (Denise) Warren of Chisholm and Bruce (Debbie) Warren of Virginia; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and “Dillon” Radle; brother, Steve Radle; nephew, Eric “Bear” Kolstad; and father-in-law, Dennis Warren.

Jeffrey D. Carlon

Jeffrey David Carlon, 42, of Tower, died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 24, 2019. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 6 in Bauman’s Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Family services are provided by Bauman’s Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower.

Jeff was born on July 20, 1976, in Virginia, the son of Lyle and Lila (Ulrey) Carlon. He graduated from Tower-Soudan High School and Vocational-Technical College. Jeff married Morgen McDougall on Aug. 27, 2011, in Tower and was a lifelong Tower resident. He was employed as a welder for Lamppa Manufacturing, and was a member of #teamramrod. Jeff enjoyed everything outdoors, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting and boating. He was proud of his classic 1963 Chevy long box pickup.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Morgen; stepson, Frederick McDougall III of Soudan; father, Lyle Carlon of Ft. Pierce, Fla.; sister, Eliza (Matthew) Lucachick of Springville, Ind.; grandparents, Carolyn (Ray) Stevens of Tower; in-laws, Penelope Trenberth of Duluth and Fred (MaryAnne) McDougall of Hibbing; brothers-in-law, Frederick (Vicky) McDougall II of Taoyuan, Taiwan, Christian McDougall of Cass Lake and Noah McDougall of Minneapolis; aunts and uncles, Keith (Linda) Carlon of Buhl, Bill (Luanne) Carlon of Morristown N.J., Scott (Naomi) Carlon of Anoka, Lowell (Kathleen) Carlon of Virginia, Liz Cheriff (Brian Drake) of Minneapolis, Violet Carlon of Denver, Colo., Ruth Carlon of Germany, Beth (Robin) Krom of Lanesboro, Joe (Mary) Ulrey of Naples, Fla., Bill Trenberth of Babbitt, Vivian Werman of Hibbing, Edith Tawyea of Hibbing and Dale Werman of Minneapolis; niece and nephew, Gabe and Carolyn; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mom, Lila; grandparents, Joe and Carol Ulrey and William Carlon; and special friend, Brandon Dougherty.

Jean M. Maki

Jean M. Miklausich Maki, 76, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, after a courageous four and a-half-year battle with cancer. A funeral service celebrating her life was held on Wednesday, April 3 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely.

She is survived by her husband, Bill; children, Bill (Jodi) Maki and Kelly (Lance) Ronn; grandchildren, Madison, McKenzie and Parker Maki and Wyatt and Whitley Ronn; and sister, Nancy Rozman, who was lovingly by her side throughout her life and cancer battle.

Barbara L. Wessman

Barbara Lee Luukkonen Wessman, 69, of rural Tower, died at St. Mary’s Hospital on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. A celebration of life was held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia on Thursday, April 4.

She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dennis of Tower; children, Michael (Lisa) Wessman of Cumberland, Wis., and Michelle (Rich) Skerbitz of Hoyt Lakes; granddaughters, Alicia Wessman and Ashley Wessman; mother, Impie Luukkonen of Aitkin; brother, Albert Luukkonen of Britt; sisters, Diane Miller of Lawler, Darlene Lossing of Cook and Cindy Bozicevich of Duluth; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Robert Kovall 

Robert “Bob” Kovall, 99, lifelong resident of Ely, died in the gentle, caring hands of Boundary Waters Care Center and Essentia Hospice on Monday, March 25, 2019. Bob’s life and faith were celebrated with a Funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Saturday, March 30. Family arrangements were by Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

He is survived by his children, Bob (Carol), Patsy, Janice and Richard; grandchildren, Kari, Jill, Steve and Dan Kovall, and their mother Kathy; grandchildren, Nick (Judy), Ben (Chrissy) and Megan Gibney; great-grandchildren, Brett, Taylor, Connor and Landon Gibney; brother-in-law, Bob (Linda) Senta; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his family, Bob will be missed by many who knew him through the years, especially his neighbors at Pioneer Apartments.