Obituaries: Aug. 21, 2020

James Boney Jr., “Gi we gah bow” 
James Boney Jr., “Gi we gah bow,” Eagle Clan, 71, of Eagan, originally of Nett Lake, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in Minneapolis. He was a member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the Grand Medicine Society, and was honored with traditional burial rites. A Traditional Wake was held on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at the Nett Lake School. A Traditional Service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 19, also at the Nett Lake School. The Spiritual Leader was Billy Blackwell and Spiritual Advisor was Vern Adams. Casket bearers were “Chief” Pete Boney Jr., Anthony Juliano, John Juliano, Jim Morrison, Brad Johnson and Matthew Boney. Honorary Casket bearers were Jeffrey Boney, Vernon Boney, Kyle Juliano, Jason Boney, Andyr Jerome and Zachary Boney. Burial was in the Woodenfrog Cemetery in Nett Lake. 
Military Honors were accorded by the USMC Honor Guard, Bois Forte Honor Guard, the Orr American Legion Post 480 Honor Guard and the Cook VFW Post 1757 Honor Guard. To honor James, please donate to any Veterans service of your choice. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
 James was born on Feb.  26, 1949, in Nett Lake, to James Sr. and Nancy (Woodenfrog) Boney. He attended grade school in Nett Lake and attended Orr High School. He went on to graduate from Pawnee High School in Pawnee, Okla., in 1967. In 1968, he attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. In 1969, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970. He served in the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines as a machine gunner MOS, earning a Purple Heart and Combat Action medal. He worked at various jobs in Oklahoma City, Okla., landscaping jobs in Denver, Colo., and retired from the United States Postal Service after serving 18 years in Minneapolis.       
 He was an avid sports fan, especially of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. He was a good bowler, earning several trophies, and traveled to many tournaments in Oklahoma City, Okla., Las Vegas, Nev., Aberdeen, S.D., and Minneapolis. He and his son enjoyed bowling together and dominating the pins.  He enjoyed harvesting wild rice, going to powwows, casinos, sporting events, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
 James is survived by his aunt, Jennie Woodenfrog; sisters Irene Boney and Mary Ann Juliano; longtime companion, Francelia Roy; son, Jeffrey Boney; grandchildren, Zachary Martin Boney and Alyssa Grace Boney; chosen daughter, Makayla John; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, James Boney Sr.; mother, Nancy (Woodenfrog) Boney; uncles, William Woodenfrog, Anthony Boney and John Woodenfrog; aunt, Mary Woodenfrog Strong; brothers, Peter Boney Sr., Arnold Boney, Kenneth Boney and John Boney; and sister, Julie Wilde. 

Mary Ann Berg
Mary Ann Berg, 90, a longtime resident of Tower, died on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, at her home on Eagles Nest Lake. A Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower with Fr. Nick Nelson as the celebrant. Interment was in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. The family wishes to extend thanks to Emily Hadrava, CNP, and to East Range Hospice for the care and compassion they extended to Mary. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Mary Ann was born on June 15, 1930, in Soudan, the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Tekautz) Gornick. She was a graduate of Tower High School and the Duluth School of Business. Mary Ann was united in marriage to Donald Berg at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower.
Mary Ann worked as a homemaker. She also worked at the State Bank of Tower, Vermilion Lumber, Boyer True Value, and Vermilion Fuel & Food. She was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, where she served on St. Mary’s Circle and the Catholic Women’s Club. Mary Ann was a member of the Senior Citizens of Eagles Nest. She enjoyed being at the lake, playing “Penny Canasta” and socializing with friends.
Mary Ann is survived by her children, Robert (Jane) Berg of Tower, William Berg of Ely, Mary Jo (William) Coldwell of Florida, James (Jill) Berg of Tower and Dawn (Brad) Dahl of Virginia, Minn.; sister, Margie Ahearn of Arizona; grandchildren, Allen (Shannon) Berg, Ryan (Heather) Berg, Kyle (Malissa) Maki, Christopher (Kelsey) Coldwell, Katrina (Bob) Harmelink, Adam Berg, Nathan (Abby) Dahl, Kara (fiancée Chris) Dahl and Jared Dahl; great-grandchildren, Branden, Emily, McKenna, Cameron, Carter, Kira, Perrie, Rory and one “on the way”; special friend, Jeff Szalapski; and numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald in 1987; and brother, Joseph Jr.

Dr. Robert Junnila
Dr. Robert “Bob” Douglas Junnila, 74, of Tower, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, at his home. A memorial service for immediate family will be held at the island cabin on Lake Vermilion. A celebration of Bob’s life will be scheduled in 2021 at the Greenwood Township Community Center with food, music, pickle ball, and other outdoor activities.
 Bob was born on Nov. 13, 1945, to William and Helen Junnila in Wooster, Ohio. Bob spent his youth in Storrs, Conn. He attended high school in White Bear Lake. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served honorably from 1969 to 1971. Bob was a graduate of Hamline University (1967), Case Western Reserve University (1979 MD-PhD), and Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine (1979-1983 OB-GYN residency, Chief Resident).
 He practiced OB-GYN at Park Nicollet Medical Center in Minnetonka from 1983 to 2010. His later career would take him to St. Cloud, Minn., New Zealand, and Virginia, Minn. Bob made lifelong friendships with many of his colleagues and healthcare professionals.
 Besides spending time with family and friends, Bob had a passion for the outdoors, fishing, traveling, and collecting rocks and historical artifacts. He was known for his humility, kindness, generosity, work ethic and adventurous spirit.
 Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Colleen; sons, Brian (Elizabeth) and Brad; granddaughters, Camryn, Audrey and Emma; and brother, Tom (Phyllis).
 
Ellen C. Tausk
The goodness in you brings out the goodness in others. That is the story of Ellen Charlotte Tausk, 85, of Downers Grove, Ill., who died on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. Ellen’s last moments were a symbol of everything that mattered most to her in life. She was surrounded by love from her husband of 64 years, Ed Tausk, and her three beloved children. They all held her hand as she took her last precious breaths and went on to her new life with God. Family and friends met for a Funeral Mass on Tuesday, Aug.18 at St. Mary’s of Gostyn Church in Downers Grove, Ill. Interment followed at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Wheaton, Ill. Her family asked everyone to wear bright colors as a way to honor Ellen’s joyful spirit. Arrangements were by Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale, Ill.
To carry on her mission of seeking and supporting goodness in others, her children have set up the Ellen Tausk Kindness Foundation. Each year, the foundation will choose to help a family in need. Donations can be sent to The Ellen Tausk Kindness Foundation, Chase Bank, 1 South Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
Ellen was born on Sept. 15, 1934, to Anton and Peggy Rakowski. She grew up in Chicago along with her five brothers and sisters. She met Ed at work and they married shortly after that. They had three children, Teri (Chuck) Goudie, Ed Tausk Jr. (fiancée Wendy Jurek) and Colleen (Steve) Gebavi. Ellen was very much a part of her grandchildren’s life and helped raise all of them. They are Caylen (Joe) Bufalino, Brittany (Chase) Davidson, Chas (Julie) Goudie, Keegan Goudie, Grace Goudie, Austin Tausk, Danny Tausk, Carley Tausk, Kyle Gebavi, Braden Gebavi, Ethan Gebavi and Garrett Gebavi. Her great-grandchildren brought her incredible happiness in recent years. They are Henry Bufalino, Leo Bufalino, Brooks Davidson, Walker Davidson and Claire Goudie.
Ellen was known for making every person feel special. Her home was always welcome to all and her kids’ friends were thought of as family. She could strike up a conversation with anyone she met and make everyone feel like they had a special relationship with her. She was very close to her faith and lived with an incredible zest for life. She did her first half-marathon at the age of 75 and won first place in her age bracket.
Ellen is survived by her husband, Ed; three children; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Serritella; and brother, Tony Rakowski.

Ethel Roderick
Ethel “Doris” Roderick, 95, of Cook, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Littlefork Lutheran Church in Field Township. Burial will be in the Field Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the church. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Doris was born to Carl and Sigri (Holter) Scott on March 15, 1925 in Cook. Doris grew up and attended school in Cook, graduating from Cook High School in 1942. Doris met her future husband, Donald, in high school. He had come with his parents from Mason City, Iowa, to work on a farm in Cook. The couple were united in marriage on Sept. 27, 1944, in Cook. The young couple moved to the cities where Donald worked construction. Doris and Don raised their children in the cities, but returned every summer to spend time at their cabin on Lake Vermilion. After the couple retired, they spent their summers at the lake cabin and wintered in Florida. Sadly, Donald passed away in 2003.
Doris loved to sew and she constructed many quilts; every grandchild had a quilt made by grandma. Doris enjoyed cross stitching, doing crossword puzzles, and picking blueberries. She was an excellent cook and baker; every person in her family would get a German chocolate cake for their birthday. Doris passed some of her cooking talent down to her family; she taught them how to make her famous lefsa. When Doris was in Florida, she spent hours walking the beach picking seashells.
Doris was a quiet and caring person. She also had a sharp, quick sense of humor and would often “knock the socks off” of her caregivers with her jokes. She also had her own funny sayings, like “up to your ear-balls”, and her family would laugh and tell her that it was “eyeballs”, grandma…. “eyeballs”. Doris was loved and will be dearly missed.
Doris is survived by her children, Barb (Gary) Boutto, Donald Roderick, Bev (Warren) Rutledge, Janice (Randy) Rogers and Joanne (Benny) Svien; grandchildren, Dawn (Todd) Seopa, Dean (Amy) Boutto, Dee Ann (Brad) Sandberg, Donnie Roderick, Allison (Kyle) Koester, Megan (Tyrell) Eckdahl, Andrew (Heather) Rutledge, Jeffrey Rogers, Timothy (Jen) Rogers, Benjamin (Christine) Conklin, Jonathan (Megan) Conklin and Cassie (Joe) Winter; and 20 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband of 58 years and four months, Donald Roderick; brother-in-law, Bob Roderick; and sisters-in-law, Mildred Roderick and Agnes Scott.

Carol E. Abramson
Carol E. Abramson, 78, of Orr, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Leiding Cemetery, with lunch to follow at the Orr American Legion Hall in Orr.
Gary F. Rolloff
Gary Fredrick Rolloff, 81, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, June 7, 2020. A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday Aug. 26, 2020 at 2 P.M. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com.

John Manick
John “Weasel” Manick, 62, of Orr, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at the Orr American Legion Hall in Orr. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his children, Jennifer Manick and Jesse (Hannah) Manick; the mother of his children, Lori Johnson Manick; grandchildren, Kaden and Jace Manick; brothers, Mike Manick, Rick Manick, Dan (Linda) Manick, David (Sandra) Manick, Bill Manick, Robert Manick and Joe (Michelle) Manick; sister, Sandra (Dave) Georgeson; and many nieces and nephews.

George J. Stalboerger
George J. Stalboerger, 88, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt with Deacon Greg Hutar officiating. Military rites were accorded by the Ely Honor Guard. There was a potluck gathering at the Hideaway in Babbitt after the service. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene Potter Stalboerger of Babbitt; son, Mark of Babbitt; daughter, Sue (Paul) Scherer of Embarrass; grandchildren, John Scherer, Jason Stalboerger and Lisa Lintz; and great-grandchildren, Luke, Blake, Hailey, McKinzie and Ove.