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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries - Oct. 19, 2018

Posted

Lyle R. Vezina

Lyle Raymond Vezina, 79, of Silverdale, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018, at Fitzgerald Nursing Home in Eveleth. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Oct. 18 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. Interment was in the Cook Community Cemetery. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Lyle was born to Abraham and Olive (Townsend) Vezina on July 26, 1939, in Cloquet. The family moved to Rauch in 1942, and then settled in Silverdale in 1960. He was employed at local sawmills as a laborer and then went on to work for Hill Wood Products in Cook in 1971, where he worked until his retirement. He was a member of the former St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Greaney and then St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook.

Lyle loved to read Westerns and old-time magazines like “Good Old Days”. He enjoyed going to McDonald’s for coffee and visiting with his friends. After his health failed, Lyle moved to Fitzgerald Nursing Home in Eveleth. While he was there, he enjoyed his outings with the other residents. He would tell his family about his trips to Walmart and the places they would go to eat. Lyle was very proud of his niece and nephew, Eileen and Dale, and enjoyed their visits.

Lyle is survived by his niece, Eileen (Tim) Aune of Orr; nephew, Dale Lokken of Shoreview; and numerous cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Stanley Vezina.

Betty A. Kotzian

Betty Annette Carlson Kotzian, 83, originally of Ely, passed away at Guardian Angels Health and Rehabilitation Center in Hibbing. Memorial services were held on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Grace Lutheran Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Dodie) Kotzian of La Plata, Md.; daughter, Debra (Timothy) Burns of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Jo-Ellen Patterson; very dear nephew and niece, Ward and Karen Patterson of Ely; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many longtime friends throughout Minnesota.

Mary J. Lahtonen

Mary Joan Muhvich Lahtonen, 86, lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Monday, Oct. 8, 2018, at Ely Bloomenson Hospital in Ely. A Memorial Mass was held on Friday, Oct. 12 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely with Rev. William Skarich officiating. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

She is survived by her children, John (Sarah), James (Tammy), Joseph (Shelley) and David (Valerie); grandchildren, George (Sarah) Burger, Warren (Krystal) Burger, Richard Lahtonen, Julie (Mike) Shenise, Jacob Lahtonen, Matthew Lahtonen and Megan Lahtonen; great-grandchildren, Asher and Asa; brothers, George (Patti) Muhvich and Frank (Terri) Muhvich; sister, Irene Muhvich; and beloved dog, Misty.