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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: March 10, 2023

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Michelle Anne “Shelly” Lubinski
Michelle Anne “Shelly” Lubinski, 49, died peacefully at home in Soudan, on Feb. 20, 2023, following an illness. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Tower.
Shelly was born on June 8, 1973, in Forest Lake, to Gerald and Barbara (Babcock) Lubinski. Her school years were spent in Biwabik and Aurora and in 2006 she received her AA from Mesabi Community College in Virginia.
In recent years, Shelly developed a love for traveling, snowmobiling, and gardening. She also enjoyed the companionship of her cats, Smokey and Nifty. Shelly will be remembered for her fierce independence, adventurous spirit, and wonderful sense of humor.
Shelly is survived by sons Jace Chilcott and Isaac Archambeau; mother Barb Paquette; brother Kevin; sisters Linda, and Debra (Ron) Muth; maternal grandmother Gerry; special niece Aurora; longtime boyfriend Robert “Bobby” Hujanen; siblings of the heart Rhonda and Norm; and numerous extended family and many lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her father and three grandparents.

Irene Sipola
Irene H. Sipola, age 94, an Embarrass resident for many years, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on March 1, 2023, on the family farm. The funeral service was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her two sons, Steven (Carole) of Embarrass and Charles (Sandra Makkyla) of Babbitt; and one daughter, Diana (Roger) Moore of Virginia; grandchildren, Brandon (Amy) Sipola, Joshua (Julie) Sipola, Alicia (Mark) Hansen, Gina (Ryan) Millis, Jennifer (Jay) Templeman, Zachary Wagenbach (significant other Brittany Karnik), Alex Makkyla, Maija Sipola, and Derek Lamppa; eight great-grandchildren, Luke, Kaitlin, Linnea; Julia, Josie, Jenna, Jamie, and Taylor.

Carol Helen Nevala
Carol Helen Nevala, age 74, peacefully passed away on Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer. The Celebration of Life was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Virginia. Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Carol was born on December 25, 1948, in Virginia, the daughter of Ilmer and Helen (Passo) Seppi. She is survived by her husband Bruce Nevala; children, Aaron (Bridgette) Nevala, and Adam (Tina) Nevala; grandchildren, Nick, Jacob, Keira, Nolan, Jackson, Alex, Isaiah, Makenzie, and Zachary; siblings, Jim (Donna) Seppi, Barbara Jacobson, Donna Seppi; and numerous loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

George Washington Putney
George Putney, 54 years young, born May 28, 1968, passed away Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, peacefully at home, with his mate and daughter close to his side. He had fought a nasty battle with pancreatic cancer and now is at peace. There was a benefit and celebration of life on Saturday, March 4, at Jim’s Sports Club in Chisholm.
George grew up in Iowa and Gheen. George is survived by his loving soulmate, Shawna Kush, who was with him on his fateful journey; brothers and sisters, Steven Putney, Christine Dutcher, Walter Putney Jr., Dixie Minzes, and Naomi Heck; daughters, Felecia Theisen and Kassandra Putney; grandchildren Keelia Brohman, Keifer Brohman, Nathaniel Davidson, Cypher Davidson, Patrick Theisen, and Killian Davidson.

Ronald “Ole” Newman
Ronald (Ole) Newman Sr., 79, of Togo, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, in Grand Rapids.  A funeral is being planned for later in the spring, at Bear River Lutheran Church, Bear River. Family services provided by Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
He is survived by his loving wife Carol (Maness) of 55 years; son, Ron (Lana) Hibbing; daughter, Paula (Wade) Bigfork; grandchildren, Brady Newman and MacKenzie Newman, both of Hibbing; sisters, Dorothy Hagen (Dick), Sheboygan, Wis., and Kathy (Bill) Whitlock, Hibbing; mother-in-law, Helen Maness Adams, Cohasset; sister in laws, Pat Rukavina (Larry), Wabana, Mary Larsen (Gary) Blackduck, Lynda Newman, Elk River, Lindie Newman, Togo; and brother-in-law, Gordon Maness (Maria) Millton, N.H.  He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and his special great nieces and nephews who he adored, Dallas Gram, Taylor Kalisch, Logan Steel, Lane Newman, Kadin Erickson, and Jordan Whitlock.

Karen Rose (Bengry) Bialik
Karen Rose (Bengry) Bialik, 79, passed away on March 7, 2023, at the Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital surrounded by her family. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Winton Community Center from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, March 10. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Judy (Dan) Sertich, Ron (Cheryl) Bialik and Curt (LuAnne) Bialik; grandchildren, David, Kirsten, Cody, Ben, Zach and Emily; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Ryan; sisters, Janet and Marion; and brother, Jerry.

John Braun
John Braun, 62, of Ely, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his residence.
Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.