Obituaries: Aug. 9, 2019

Beverley C. Skogen
Beverley Caroline Skogen, 79, was released from her physical body, five years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her daughters were by her side. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Isabella Community Center at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18. Burial will follow at the Isabella Cemetery.
She was born in 1939 to Clarence and Dorothy Bildeaux. She spent her early childhood in and around Danbury, Wis. For the next 25 years she lived in logging camps in NE Minnesota. She lived many years in Ely, where she raised her family and worked at several restaurants and stores, including Pamida and Piragis Northwoods Company.
She was a natural caretaker. She was there no matter what the circumstance. She saw the good in everybody. She enjoyed picking agates and berries, hunting deer and grouse, and loved being outside.
She was proud of her Ojibwe heritage and learned all she could so she could pass that on to her family. Her family was her greatest joy. She savored every moment she had with her grandchildren.
Beverly is survived by her daughters, Debby (David) Gravunder, Sherry (John) Williams and Dana Stroschein; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Tom (Sonny) Bildeaux; and many nieces and nephews.

Gerard J. Van Baak
Gerard “Gary” John Van Baak, 76, passed away peacefully, at his home, on Monday, July 29, 2019. Per Gary’s wishes, there will be a private family service on a later date.
He is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Dorothy of Lake Vermilion, Tower; daughters, Cynthia (James) Skubic of Virginia, Michele Van Baak (Jerry Lang) of Bowstring Lake and Karen Van Baak of Chisholm; six grandchildren, Laura Skubic, Erika (Jason) Strahan, Sara (Bailey) Felix, Marisa Wollenzien (Matthew Prokosch), Conor Wollenzien and Jack Bryan; and one great-grandchild, Thatcher Strahan.

Agnes M. Lozar
Agnes M. Lozar, 91, of Ely, passed away on Monday, Aug.  5, 2019, at Carefree Assisted Living in Ely. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, Aug. 8 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.