Obituaries: October 25, 2024

Richard A. Viita
Richard “Rick” Arvo Viita, 79, of Cook, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 with his family by his side. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alango. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Rick was born in Virginia on Sept. 7, 1945, to Arvo and Linda Suomu Viita. He grew up and attended school in Virginia. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and served his country honorably for two years. He then went on to attend the agricultural school in Grand Rapids.
Rick was a man whose passion was to work. He was proud to be a shovel operator at Inland for over 30 years; he also operated and owned Viita’s Blackdirt. He was adamant about producing the perfect dirt (no sticks or rocks allowed). His work ethic was amazing, and he passed that down to his son. He and his son would have hours of conversations about farming, crops, gravel pits and tractors. Rick was a rock for his family. He was calm and never got excited. In Rick’s mind, everything would be okay.
Rick was a stoic Finlander, but his heart grew huge when he met his grandchildren. If they were participating in something, he became an expert on it. He thought the absolute world of them, and they fiercely loved him back.
His grandchildren can say it best about their grandfather, “Grandpa loved a lot of things. His beautiful property, his green tractor, but most of all his grandkids. There was never a question what his favorite thing in the world was, my brother and I. His heart was pure gold. He had the best listening ears but also had no problem saying his opinion (which almost always, he was right). My Grandpa was known for spending a lot of time in the card aisle. His cards were always so heartfelt, and they were so important to him. If he could send cards from heaven, I know he would. When I had any exciting news, my grandpa was the first person I would want to tell. He made me feel like I was the most important person in the entire world. My grandpa was 100-percent Finnish. He was stubborn, hid his feelings, and had more love for life than anyone else I knew. Grandpa made squeaky cheese “Leipajuusto” for every holiday or event. My brother and I thankfully were taught his secrets.”
“Grandpa was always known for being stoic. So, it never ceased to amaze us at how sentimental his birthday/Christmas cards were. If he wasn’t farming at home, he was doing something that involved his grandkids. It didn’t matter if it was traveling to my basketball games, Macy’s events, or doing research on a question that he couldn’t answer for us. He was someone who always had time for us. He never complained about how tough it was to get anywhere for Macy and I, he just did it. People didn’t really know him for his sense of humor, because he was pretty quiet, but he was very comical every once in a while. He was also known for knowing everything. This was a combination of him being very intelligent, researching everything on his computer, or just giving a very confident wrong answer, that he would argue until you gave up.”
Rick was loved beyond measure and will be dearly missed by his family.
Rick is survived by his son, Rick; daughter-in-law, Amy; two amazing grandchildren, Spencer (Jenna Ramberg) Viita and Macy Viita (Zach Cheney); sister, Lynne Hilde and her family; and family dog, Benelli, whom he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and beloved dog of 15 years, Hunter.

Marilyn M. Kegler
Marilyn M. Laxen Kegler, 90, of Babbitt passed away on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at Milaca Elim Meadows Health Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Father Charlie Friebohle was the celebrant. Interment was at Argo Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Kurt (Stephanie Flug) Kegler of Kenai, Alaska, and Lynn (Robert) Hoheisel of Zimmerman; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

James H. Sipola
James Henry Sipola, 90, passed away on Monday, Sept.16, 2024, at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. Come share your stories and memories with his family at the home of Donovan and Cindy at 301 5th St. South in Virginia at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Coffee and a light lunch will be served. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He was born on March 4, 1934, to Henry and Hilma Sipola of Embarrass.  He married Helvi Ann Holappa on Sept. 24, 1955, and they shared their life journey together for 61 years.  Jim enjoyed his family, singing, dancing, playing harmonica, yodeling, operating his Allis-Chalmers loader, watching Vikings football, and driving to have his morning coffee with his sisters, brother, and his children in the area.
Jim worked at WS Moore mining before he joined his brother Bill on the dairy farm delivering milk products. He then retired from Thunderbird Mining plant in Eveleth of 22 years.
Survivors include his five children, Tim (Alicia) Sipola of Babbitt, Deborah Killoran of Virginia, Cindy (Donovan) Berggren of Virginia, Mike Sipola of Tower and Mark (Penny) Sipola of Coon Rapids; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister, Doris Sipola of Minneapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Hilma; wife, Helvi; grandson, Ryan Ranisate; brother, Bill Sipola; and six sisters, Harriet Mattson, Betty Hill, Jeanette Mattson, Ruth Alaspa, Miriam Gornick and Margaret Skube.

Trista A. Miller
Trista Alysia Miller, 39, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024, surrounded by her family and close friends. A celebration of life was held at Fish Tales Tavern in Babbitt on Saturday, Oct. 19. Arrangements were with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her mother, Claire Miller; children, Alysia Miller and Ashtyn Struna; sister, Kristina Demaris; Ashtyn’s father, Jeff Struna; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Raymond A. Plantz
Raymond Arnold Plantz, 80 of Ely, died on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. There will be a celebration of life at a later date. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.
He is survived by his wife, Jayne Klemeyer Plantz; twin brother, Roy of Istanbul; sister, Pam (Terry) Murphy of Phoenix; children, Chuck (Mary Lou) Plantz, Dickie Plantz, Bill Plantz, Kate (Rob) Besemann, Beth (Mark) McKenna and Anna (Ted) Krueger; fifteen grandchildren; a first great-grandson on the way; and numerous extended family and friends.