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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries - Jun. 29, 2018

Posted

Mary A. Mitchell

Mary Alice Kurtz Mitchell, 93, a member of the Greatest Generation, lived a full and rich life which began in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 21, 1925, and ended on June 23, 2018, the 69th anniversary of her marriage to James E. Mitchell Jr.ÊCompleting her life’s circle, Mary Alice will return to Des Moines. The Rosary will be shared at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 31 in The Chapel at St. Augustin. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1 in St. Augustin Church.

As the first granddaughter born, Mary Alice was named after both her grandmothers, Mary Ellen Flynn Miley and Alice McDonnell Kurtz.ÊGrowing up in Des Moines, she attended St. Augustin School and St. Joseph Academy, where she was President of her Senior Class of 1943. She received a BA in English from St. Mary’s of Notre Dame in Indiana.ÊMary Alice married Jim “Mitch” Mitchell, her friend since second grade, on June 23, 1949. They had five children, Miley Fleming Mayne (Mark), Kathleen Hunt Meucci (Jim), Julie Mitchell Baxley (Rusty), James E. Mitchell III (Elizabeth) and John Kurtz Mitchell Sr. (Stephanie).

In addition to Des Moines, Mary Alice and Mitch called many places home: Iowa City, Iowa; Lake Vermilion, Minn.; Birmingham, Mich.; Atlanta, Ga.; Memphis, Tenn.; Marco Island, Fla.; Lake Okoboji, Iowa; Denver, Colo.; and Lookout Mountain, Ga.ÊCommunity involvement was important to Mary Alice. She served as President of the Des Moines Junior League, was elected to the National Board, and was an active League member as she moved around the country. The Catholic Church was always dear to Mary Alice; she served on various active guilds and committees in the many parishes in which she lived.

Mary Alice is survived by her five children and their families of 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her parents, L. Clarence Kurtz and Helen Miley Kurtz; five siblings, Louis Kurtz, Robert Kurtz, Helen Clare Sillstrop, Nancy Arkwright and John Kurtz; and her husband, James E. Mitchell Jr. Êin 2009.

Nancy Kelley

Nancy “Sue” Wiler Kelley, 77, of Babbitt, passed away at her residence on Thursday, June 21, 2018. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 28 at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt with Rev. Donald Schmiege officiating. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

She is survived by her daughter, Jackie Kelley of Hastings; grandchildren, Anna and Sam Kelley of Duluth; sister, Cindy (Bill) Holm of Grand Rapids; brothers, Earl Lamke of Buhl and Dennis Wiler of Forest Lake; numerous nieces and nephews; neighbors and family friends, Rachel and Ben Thomatz.

Mary M. Mavetz

Mary Margaret Junke Mavetz, 92, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 5 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by her sister, Jean (Gary) Johnson; her beloved children, Beckie (Whitney Meddaugh) Lobe, Mary Jo (Ric) Toman, Darlene (Brian) LaFrenier and Al Mavetz; 12 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Jerry D. Thoren

Jerry Dean Thoren, 73, of Ely, passed away at home on Saturday, June 23, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 30 at First Lutheran Church in Ely with visitation being held one hour prior to the service at the church. Family arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Mary Mitchell, Nancy Kelley, Mary Mavetz, Jerry Thoren