Obituaries: February 21, 2025

Rodney K. Dunn
Rodney “Rod” Keith Dunn, 84, of Cook, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, with his loving wife by his side. A celebration of life will be held in June. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship). Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Clow Dunn; daughter, Lisa Kittleson (Jeffrey); grandchildren, Paige Syverson (Zac) and Noah Kittelson (Maddy); “adopted” grandchildren, Alex, Addison and Zoey Burckhardt; brothers, Duane Dunn of Northfield and Dale Dunn (Cheryl) of LaPorte; and sister, Susie Kasprowicz (Dean) of Hallock.

Kenneth R. Pintar
Kenneth R. Pintar, 68, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Fish Tales Bar in Babbitt.
He is survived by his son, Travis (Tena) and grandsons, Aiden and Cooper, all of Pequot Lakes; sister, Lynne Nielsen of Ely; brother, Butch (Larry) of Nashwauk; and special friends, Jeannette and Lee Newton.
Kyle L. Gorecki
Kyle L. Gorecki, 35, of Babbitt, died on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, at his home. A celebration of life will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at the Hideaway in Babbitt. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
He is survived by his parents, Beverly Tuura and Loren Gorecki; brother, Jeffrey Gorecki; sister, Ashley Gorecki; niece, Jayden Gorecki; nephew, Jackson Gorecki; grandmother, Virginia Tuura; and beloved dogs, Boone, Hazel, and Anna.

Carol L.H. Skala
Carol Lynne Helen Griese Skala, 84, of Ely, died on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, following complications of Alzheimer’s. Thanks to the medical staff at Essentia Clinic - Ely, Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice East Range Team, Carefree Living of Ely and Ely-Bloomenson Hospital for their wonderful care. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated privately at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with inurnment at the Ely Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or donor’s choice. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Joe; daughters, Vicky (Paul) Cherne of Shoreview, Valerie (Bob) Walker of Elburn, Ill., and Sarah (Stephen Brandt) Skala of Ely; grandchildren, Tony (McKenzie Hofmann) Cherne, Mary (Garett) Schoenfelder and John Cherne; great-granddaughter, Greta Schoenfelder; the Derus cousins, a nephew and four nieces; and very special friend, Vicki Wagner of Ely.

Robert Peyla
Robert “Robbie” Peyla, 63, of Biwabik, died surrounded by family on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, at his home after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. A Funeral Mass was held on Feb. 17 at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church in Aurora with Father Daniel Hammer celebrating. Interment was in Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik. Arrangements were by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home of Gilbert.
Survivors include his wife of 42 years, Sally Mattson Peyla; children, Sean (Kristina) Peyla and Andrew (Shaina) Peyla, both of Lakeland, and Justin (Sarah) Peyla of Embarrass; eight grandchildren; brother, Paul (Janet) Peyla of Elkridge, Md.; sisters, Susie (Tony) Licari of Embarrass and Cathy (Dan) Peterson of Tower; brother-in-law, Tom Mattson of Lakeland; sister-in-law, Sue (Rob) Kurak of Lino Lakes; nieces, Danielle Peterson of Lake Vermilion and Anna Peyla of St. Paul; nephews, Ethan (Julia) Kurak of Rochester, Reed Kurak of Lino Lakes, Adam (Sarah) Licari of Wadena, Brent Peterson of Tower, Bradley Peterson of Vermilion Township, James Peyla of Elkridge, Md., and John Peyla of Grand Chute, Wis.; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Leonard M. Cersine
Leonard M. Cersine, 77, of Ely, died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. A celebration of life will be held during the summer of 2025 in Ely with a date to be announced. Family services have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Devvie Booth Cersine of Ely; sons, Matthew (Deisy) Cersine of Orlando, Fla., and Stephen (Leah) Cersine of Chicago, Ill.; sister, Mary (Mike) Harri of Ely; brother, Jack (Norma) Cersine of Babbitt; and nephews, Mike Harri and Leonard Harri, both of Ely.

JoAn M. Angell
JoAn Marie Leseman Angell, 89, longtime resident of Babbitt, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, at her residence. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by son, Tim (Leslee) and family; daughter, Cindy and family; late son Charlie’s daughters and families; sisters, Jeannette and Eleanor and families; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.