Obituaries: February 7, 2025

Lynn Dee Jarnstrom-Lehto
Lynn Dee Jarnstrom-Lehto, 69, longtime resident of Lake Vermilion-Tower, and formerly of Minneapolis, Baxter and Eveleth, died on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A private service will be held. Memorials may be directed to the Mesabi Humane Society, 2305 Southern Drive, Virginia, MN 55792. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Lynn Dee was born on Dec. 2, 1955, in Virginia, the daughter of Royal and Mona Strom Jarnstrom. She was a 1974 graduate of Eveleth High School and went on to receive two Master’s Degrees from Bemidji State University, in Business Education and Special Education. Lynn Dee was united in marriage to Mark Alan Lehto at Immanual Lutheran Church in Tower on Sept. 8, 1984.
Lynn Dee worked as a Special Education teacher in Cook, and was also a Business Education instructor in Minneapolis, Brainerd and Ely. Lynn Dee and Mark enjoyed snowmobiling, fishing, camping in Trout Lake BWCA, boating, traveling, and spending time at their cabin on Lake of the Woods, Sioux Narrows, Ontario.
Lynn Dee is survived by her three loving sisters, Ramona Walberg of Virginia, Renee Holloway of Bonita Springs, Fla., and Lake Vermilion - Tower, and Kristie (Marc) Baumgartner of Bloomington; nephews, Jeff (Jenny) Holloway of Shorewood, Matthew (Amanda) Holloway of Minnetonka and Jesse (Abby) Brula of Burnsville; and best friend, Lynn Voss Brown of Coon Rapids.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mark in 2024; parents; and brother-in-law, Don Holloway.

Paul M. Aysta
Paul Melvin Aysta, 71, a lifelong resident of Pike Township, died on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, surrounded by his family. A memorial service was held on Saturday, Feb. 1 at Bauman’s Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Burgess, Gary Aysta, Mike Lang, Todd Nelson, Scott Kregness and Harold Langowski. Spring inurnment will take place in the East Pike Cemetery. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Pike-Sandy Volunteer Fire Dept, 6867 Hwy 68, Embarrass, MN 55732 or the Essentia East Range Hospice Team, 901 9th St. North, Suite 215, Virginia, MN 55792.
Paul was born on Oct. 15, 1953, in Virginia, the son of Melvin and Eleanor Linnae Aysta. He proudly attended Embarrass School until its closing, then graduated from Virginia High School and Mesabi Community College. Paul married Rebecca Burgess on Aug. 23, 1975, in Pike Township. He was employed as the milk bottling plant manager for Aysta Dairy, owner of Aysta Trucking bulk milk hauling, and later worked as the Maintenance Manager for Spectrum Health. Paul loved to build and fly airplanes, motorcycles, fishing, hunting, taking saunas, cutting and splitting wood, and traveling to visit family. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, joke telling, and leaving people with a smile.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rebecca “Becky” Aysta; daughters, Shelley (Derek) Aho of Britt and Lindsey (Brian) Baldwin of Byfield, Mass.; grandchildren, Joseph and Audrey Aho, Owen and Ivy Baldwin; brothers, Gary Aysta of Virginia and Jon Aysta of Pike Township; brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Janet Horoshak.

Andrew Hutyera
Andrew “Andy” Hutyera, 79, of Cadiz, Ohio, died on Aug. 4, 2024. He was born on Jan. 25, 1943, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of the Hungarian immigrant Andrew Hutyera and Bertha J. Dulovics Hutyera. He and his wife of 57 years, Jackie Knight Hutyera, loved winter, and Ely was an important part of their life. They had been coming from Ohio for Elderhostel trips and the Ely Winter Festival for over a decade, sometimes staying for a month. They were northland fashion plates, sporting Ely-made attire head-to-toe, including Andy’s beaver hat that he made at the Folk School. They loved all the festival fun, took all the classes they could at the Ely Folk School, and attended the Presbyterian Church, making many friends along the way.
Andy is loved and missed by his wife, four daughters, nine grandchildren, two nephews, and many friends. He will be missed in Ely this year, but Jackie will be returning for the Winter Festival, so be sure to say “Hi.”

Judy M. Herring
Judith “Judy” Mae Herring, 79, of Minnetonka, passed away on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, while in the care of N.C. Little Hospice in Edina. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 20 with visitation at 10 a.m., the service at 11 a.m., and a luncheon to follow at Grace Lutheran Church, 13655 Round Lake Blvd. NW in Andover. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to N.C. Little Hospice. 7019 Lynmar Lane, Minneapolis, MN 55435.
Judy was born on Jan. 29, 1945, in Soudan, to Fred and Alma Ylinen Carlson. She graduated from Tower-Soudan High School in 1963. After graduation, Judy relocated from Soudan to the Twin Cities where she got her first job as a secretary. She reconnected with long time schoolmate, Joe Herring, and they were married on Aug. 19, 1967, and remained together until her passing. They celebrated 57 years of marriage this past fall. 
Judy held various secretarial roles throughout her career, retiring from Shop Parts of Hopkins in 2010. Judy and Joe raised their children, son Lonnie Herring (Kennedi Lea) and daughter Tracie (Herring) Russell (Mike). Through their union and these two children, they were blessed with four grandchildren, Jeremy, Kelsey, Brenna and Lauren, and lots of furry grandchildren.  
 Judy enjoyed traveling with family for annual “Bowling Trips” to various destinations throughout the U.S., including Hawaii, while her children were young, as well as trips with her kids and grandkids to Yellowstone, Germany and Colorado. She loved a good Hallmark movie, shopping, crafting, crocheting, reading various books, baking, visiting the cabin and spending time with her grandchildren.  
 Judy is survived by her husband, Joe Herring of Minnetonka; son, Lonnie Herring (Kennedi Lea) and grandson Jeremy of Richfield; daughter, Tracie Russell (Mike) and granddaughters, Kelsey, Brenna and Lauren of Andover; sister, Elsie Carlson Arvola of Mt. Iron; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Alma Carlson; brothers, Ronald and Marvin Carlson; father- and mother-in-law, Jewell and Louise Herring; and brothers-in-law, John Herring and Duane Arvola.
 
Ronald J. Hanson
Ronald “Ron” James Hanson, 79, of Togo, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Julieann; siblings, Richard (Kay) Hanson, Bernice Danyluk, Sandra (Jerry) Schulenburg and Dianne Suomela; and many nieces and nephews.  

Christine Tournat
Christine Smuk Tournat, 69, of Ely, passed away unexpectedly at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Ely Gospel Church. Visitation will start at 10 a.m. with the memorial service to begin at 11 a.m. and a luncheon to follow. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please honor Chris by sharing your kindness and compassion with those around you. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her loving family, who absolutely adored her and will miss her dearly - husband, Robert Tournat; son, Damian Tournat; daughter, Lisa Schuh; grandchildren, Johnathan, Ruby and Sullivan; great-granddaughter, Adelynn; brother, Mark Smuk; and sister, Julie Smuk.

Jeanann Tjader  
Jeanann Tjader, 70, of Ely, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, at her residence surrounded by her family. A celebration of life will be held later this year. Family services have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.