Obituaries: February 27, 2026

Arlene E. Wiermaa
Arlene Euphrosyne Wiermaa, 86, of Virginia, formerly of Vermilion Lake Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at Northern Pines Hospital in Aurora. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Virginia with Pastor Zachary Klumpp officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Vermilion Lake Township Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Arlene was born on Jan. 9, 1940, in Virginia, and married Dale H. Wiermaa on June 9, 1942; together they shared more than 60 years of devoted marriage. Arlene was known for her beautiful flower gardens and warm hospitality. Guests were always welcomed with a cup of coffee and homemade baked goods. A woman of strong faith and generosity, she will be remembered as a devoted wife, caring mother, and faithful friend whose kindness touched many lives.
Arlene is survived by her loving husband, Dale; children, Coleen Summers of Virginia (now deceased), Melanie (Michael) Crecelius of Austin, Texas, Allen Wiermaa of Embarrass and Carol (Randy) Semo of Tower; granddaughter, Amanda (Ryan) Cazin; and many extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Donny; and brother, Arthur J. Lehtonen Sr.

Coleen E. Summers
Coleen Euphrosyne Wiermaa Summers, 62, of Virginia, peacefully passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. celebration of life on Friday, March 6 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Virginia. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. 
She is survived by her father, Dale Wiermaa; daughter, Amanda (Ryan) Cazin; siblings, Melanie (Michael) Creoelius of Austin, Texas, Allen Wiermaa of Tower and Carol (Randy) Semo of Tower; grandchildren, Nicholas Cazin, Hailie Dryer and Anastacia (Rick) Murry; great-grandchildren; and many loving extended friends and family.

Kirt M. Hartshorn
Kirt Martin Hartshorn, 64, of Babbitt, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 with visitation one hour prior at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Babbitt.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Heikkila Hartshorn; daughter, Jada (Jared) Hovi of Esko; son, Kevin (Beth) Hartshorn of Ely; grandchildren, Jaena and Jaxon Hovi; mother, Lois Hartshorn of Iron; brother, Mark Hartshorn (Tracey Ellis) of Iron; sister, Kara (Rick) Rivord of Superior, Wis.; in-laws, nephews, nieces, many close friends and family.

Virginia A. Deinhammer
Virginia “Ginny” Alice Rofkar Deinhammer, 84, of Perham, and formerly of Babbitt, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Perham Living with family at her side. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Private burial was in the Argo Cemetery. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Bill; children, Mike (Geneen) Deinhammer of Apple Valley, Mary (Nick) Wognum of Ely and Amy (Brian) Bramley of Perham; sisters, Lois Deininger and Janet Root; brother-in-law, Rich Deinhammer; grandchildren, Mitchell (Jackie) Deinhammer, Kelsey Deinhammer, Justin Deinhammer, Hunter Deinhammer, Jacob (Kyah) Wognum, Megan (Ben) Bialik, Evan (Nella) Wognum, Kristina (Tyler) Litman and Emily (Kyler) Coleman; great-grandchildren, Augustine and his brother or sister due any day, Kinlee, Bridger, Driggs and Caden; and many nieces and nephews.

Albert D. Kovall
Albert Dennis “Denny” Kovall, 81, of Ely, a proud U.S. Navy veteran, passed away at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Kent) Netzer; son, Kevin (Brandi); granddaughter, Caitlin Netzer; sister, Jeannie Hanninen; nephews, Mark and Dean Hanninen; dear friends, Ricky Marolt, Bob “Pudgy” Berrini, John Perushek, Connie (Pryzbylski) and Charlie Thompson and many more.

Frances Church
Frances “Fran” Church, 92, of Ely, passed away on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 with visitation one hour prior at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Private interment will be at a later date. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
She will be forever missed by her children, Elaine (Wayne) and Edward (Margie); grandchildren, Sara (Ben), Emily (Mike), Zachary (Gretchen) and Dylan (Courtney); great-grandchildren, Carter, Caylee and Riley; sisters-in-law, Mary, Roberta and Lucille (Bob); and several nieces and nephews.

Laurie R. Stoll
Laurie R. Rozier Stoll, 64, of Babbitt, died on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Woodland Presbyterian Church in Babbitt. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials may be made to Woodland Presbyterian Church or Contented Critters Animal Sanctuary of Ely. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth (Ken, Kenny, Ken-Man); brothers, Greg (Patty) of Babbitt, Michael (Barb) of Granite Bay, Calif., and Mark (Mary) of Virginia; brother-in-law, John Stoll of Puyallup, Wash.; stepsons, Kevin (Kelly) Stoll of Rochester and Tracy (Rose) Stoll of Sioux Falls, S.D.; grandchildren, Callie and Cody Stoll; nephews, Kyle, Brett, Logan, Lorenzo, Fr. Blake and Alex Rozier; many cousins; many, many friends; and beloved dog, Maija.