Obituaries: January 12, 2024

Hazel E. Quick
Hazel Eileen Quick, 89, of Tower, died on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023, at Carefree Living Center in Aurora. The family would like to thank Essentia Hospice and Carefree Living for the excellent care they gave to her.
A memorial service was held on Friday, Dec. 29 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. Pastor Joel Guttormson officiated. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower.
Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Care Partners, PO Box 217, Eveleth, MN 55734 or Immanuel Lutheran Church, PO Box 466, Tower, MN 55790. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Hazel was born on June 9, 1934, in Soudan, the daughter of Victor and Hazel (Verity) Wilson and was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School. She married Harold Ernest Quick on July 11, 1953, and was a lifelong resident of Tower. Hazel was employed at Bayview, J.C. Penney Co., the Tower IGA, was a nurse’s aide at the Soudan Hospital, and the Hoodoo Point Campground manager for two summers. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower, a member of the Tower-Soudan Women’s Bowling League and the Tower-Soudan Athletic Association. She was an avid Vikings fan and avid Golden Eagles fan, and supported all of her grandkids’ activities. Hazel enjoyed reading, Jeopardy, was an avid gardener, and cherished time spent at the family cabin. Hazel and Harold enjoyed their many travels across the U.S., Canada, Knife Lake and Las Vegas. Life is great and life is abundant!
Hazel is survived by her children, John (Debora) Quick of Tower, Paula (John) Novelan of Eveleth, Jamie (Patti) Quick of Tower, Jenifer (Mark) Krummi of Iron and Joel (Jenny Benson) Quick of Soudan; sister, Vickie Lombardy of Aurora; grandchildren, John Robert (Naomi) Quick and their children Chara, John Daniel, James, Grace, Noah, Caleb and Hannah; Joseph (Olivia Carlson) Quick; Janna Quick; Laura (Paul Nelson) Novelan; Leah (Steve Yapel) Novelan and their son John Richard; Joshua (Gina)Quick and their daughters Josie and Mila; Jesse (Katie) Quick and their sons Will and Troy; Jacob (Justine Prout) Quick; Alexander (Brenna) Krummi; Matthew Krummi, Ellie Krummi and Tyler Krummi; and extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harold in 2009; daughter, Susan in 1960; and siblings, Jack, Joanne, Ernie and Audrey.

David G. Wagner
David G. Wagner, 83, of Lake Vermilion, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2023, surrounded by his family. A celebration of life, Big Dave Style, will be announced at a later date.
David was born on Feb. 2, 1940. He had lived on Lake Vermilion for the past 21 years.
David is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Kate; sons, Lance and Christopher; daughter-in-law, Irene and three grandchildren, Andrick, Janik and Nalia Wagner, all of Lonsdale; and brothers, Jerry (Lorraine), Richard (Nancy) and George Wagner. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Margaret Wagner; and brothers, William, Robert and James Wagner.    

Nathan Plunkett
Nathan Emmanuel Plunkett, 52, passed away on Dec. 19, 2023 at Essentia Health Virginia Hospital with his wife by his side. A Celebration of Nathan’s Life will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2024 , at the Elks Club at 2 p.m. in Virginia. Arrangements are with the Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He was born on May 8, 1971, in Minneapolis, Minn. to Robert and Marilyn Plunkett and grew up in Angora, and graduated in 1989 from Cook High School.
Nathan married his high school sweetheart and life partner Ann Hilary Rautiola on March 22, 1991. They lived in Virginia and Britt before they settled in their dream home in Angora where they raised 2 children: Ethan Jacob, born in 1991, and Kimberlyn Norelle, born in 1996.
Nathan was a UPS driver for 31 years before retiring in 2021. He served as a Union Steward for about 10 years. Nathan was an active Angora Township supervisor, having served with the township since 2004 and was a member of the Northwoods Riders for several years.
Nathan and Ann enjoyed family vacations with their children, with cruises and road trips to California.
Nathan had a passion for the outdoors and snow. Nathan loved snowmobiling, motorcycling, ATV’s, sailing, cooking, boating, family time at the cabin, and tinkering on tractors and cars with his brother-in-law Kelvin. Nathan especially enjoyed caring for his river acreage in Angora, grooming his land into a little paradise at home.
Deepest and dearest to his heart was the loving care he took of his family, including being a loving husband to his soulmate Ann, an amazing supportive father to Ethan and Kimberlyn, and being a fun and lovable Papa to all his grandchildren.
Nathan is survived by his life partner and wife Ann, son Ethan Plunkett (Sandra), daughter Kimberlyn Thell (Michael). Grandchildren Morgan Plunkett, Norman Plunkett, and Emelia Thell, mother Marilyn Plunkett, sisters Diana Neumann and Leighann Rau, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunt and uncles.
Nathan was preceded in death by his father Robert Plunkett, one brother Thomas Plunkett and grandparents.

Byron A. Moren
Byron Arthur Moren, 96, of Ely, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely. A fellowship will follow at Grand Ely Lodge at noon. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Alice Sundquist Moren; daughter, Peggy Stolley; sons, Jim (Cathy) Moren and Mike Moren; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Raymond M. Syrjanen
Raymond M. Syrjanen, 97, of Embarrass, died peacefully surrounded by loving family on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. A special thank you to the staffs of Aurora Carefree Living and Northern Pines Hospital for the thoughtful care he received. Services will be held in the summer of 2024. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his daughters, Caroline (Dennis) Johnson of Fridley and Ann Skraba of Cook; brother-in-law, John Milbridge of Tower; grandchildren, David (Shannon) Marchetti, Denise (Bob) Johnson Miller, Jeffrey Johnson, Christopher (Kathryn) Syrjanen, Addy (Josh) DeJoode, Holly (Jordan) Dalheiemer and Young Jo Chung; eight great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews.

Paula Baltich
Paula Schager Baltich, 84, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at Boundary Waters Care Center after a brief illness. Special thanks to all who visited Paula or sent greetings in the last two months. Thanks to the team at BWCC who took care of her during her time there. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation for one hour prior. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Joe (Annette) Baltich, Bernie (Sally) Baltich and Susan (Fred) Kittams; grandchildren, Ben (Morgan) Baltich, Zack (Maggie) Baltich, Danny Baltich, Cullen Kittams and Regan Kittams; sister, Emmi (Richard) Ross; brother, Joe (Rose) Schager; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Curtis Buskirk
Curtis Buskirk, 82, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. There will be no service. 
He is survived by his son, Ted Buskirk of Embarrass; and sister, Diane (Edward) Luukkonen of Ely.

Raymond W. Johnson
Raymond Walfred “Ray” Johnson, 80, of Embarrass, died peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, at Waterview Woods in Eveleth after a brave journey with prostate cancer. His family would like to thank the hospice staff for their kind and compassionate care. A celebration of life luncheon will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024, at the Embarrass Town Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of donor’s choice or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his sons, Blaine Johnson of Embarrass and Ryan (Molly) Johnson of Blaine; grandson, Aidan Johnson of Blaine; brothers, Alan Johnson of Embarrass and Marvin Johnson of River Falls, Wis.; sisters, Dorris Olson of Duluth, Violet Johnson of Minneapolis and Karen Grams of Iron; sister-in-law, Joanne Johnson of Duluth; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Walter P. Hopkins
Walter Phillip Hopkins, 84, of Cook, passed away on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. There will be a private family interment in the spring. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his son, David (Kristy) Hopkins; grandchildren, Emily and Eli; sister, Pamela (Paul) Hopkins Friesen; nieces, Suzanne Friesen and Andrea (Daniel) Friesen Drinkard; great-niece and great-nephew, Noelle and Cameron Drinkard; life partner, Roberta Work; bonus son, David (Pegalaina) Work; many bonus grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Terry A. Anderson
Terry Allen Anderson, 80, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at Carefree Living in Ely after a long fight with COPD. The family would like to thank the staffs of Ely-Bloomenson Hospital, Essentia Hospice and Carefree Living of Ely for giving him a few extra years as his health faded. Memorial services will likely be held in the spring for both Terry and his beloved spouse, Sharon, who died in October 2023. Friends are encouraged to make memorial donations to the American Lung Association, a local scholarship, or a charity of their choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his son, Dave (Lori) Anderson of Duluth; daughter, Cheryl (Ron) Groth of Baldwin, Wis.; grandson, Joe Anderson of Cotton; granddaughter, Shanna Anderson of Proctor; grandson, Dr. Ben Groth PhD of Columbia, Mo.; sister, Jill (Rick) Phillips; sister-in-law, Gail Anderson of the Twin Cities; brother-in-law, Gene Anderson of Bloomington; brother-in-law, Lowell (Kay) Anderson of Garfield; sister-in-law, Ginny Anderson of Ohio; sister-in-law, Marriane Anderson of the Twin Cities; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Michael W. Pelto
Michael W. Pelto, 77, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital, Boundary Waters Care Center and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospice. The family is also grateful for the friendship and assistance provided by many of his neighbors and managers at the Grahek Apartments in Ely where he lived for the past 11 years. Per his request, there will be no service. Arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Marian Pelto; nephew, Kevin Pelto; niece, Karla (Eric) Nesheim and their two children; and other nieces and nephews.

Carolyn A. McPeak
Carolyn A. Johnson McPeak, 85, of Embarrass, died on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Essentia Health Virginia Regional Medical Center in Virginia. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her children, Glenice Bystrom of Soudan, Gail Mingo of Mt. Iron, Geoffry (Brenda) McPeak of Chisholm, Giselle (Donny) Mather of Ely and Gena (Michael) Partyka of Hibbing; brothers, Dennis “Butch” Johnson and Peter (Judy) Johnson, both of Cloquet, and Michael (Tana) Johnson of Embarrass; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Roberta E. Zbacnik
Roberta Elizabeth “Robbie” Pengal Zbacnik, 69, of Ely, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth surrounded by her family. A celebration of life will be held this spring at the Grand Ely Lodge in Ely. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely. 
She is survived by her husband, Tom of Ely; children, Thomas (Amanda) of Esko and Robert (Amy) of Woodstock, Vt.; grandchildren, Brody, Maddux, Quinn, Russell and Gwen; brothers, Frank (Carol) Pengal of Hibbing and Paul (Carol) Pengal of Ely; sisters, Karen (Jeff) Copeman of Hibbing and Ruth Pengal of Ely; sisters-in-law, Laura (Dave) Chelesnik and Carol Norby, both of Ely, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mary Tome
Mary Tome, 71, of Ely, passed away at her residence on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.