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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: Nov. 1, 2019

Posted

Jerelyn R. Martinson
Jerelyn “Jerry” Renae Martinson, 72, of Cook, was called to Heaven on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at the Cook Care Center. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Jerry was born on Nov. 13, 1946, in Cook, to Milton and Norma (St. Jacques) Karvala. As a child, she loved riding bike and playing with her neighborhood friends. She attended Cook High School where she met her high school sweetheart, Roger Martinson Jr. Jerry graduated in 1964 and upon Roger’s completion in the Air Force, they were married on June 12, 1965, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. The couple lived in several towns on the Iron Range before returning back to Cook where they bought a farm and raised their family. Jerelyn was happy to be a stay-at-home mom for most of the children’s growing up years. She then started working at the Cook Hospital as a housekeeper where she created many new friendships and was regarded as someone who put a smile on her coworkers’ faces.
In later years, after raising their children, Roger and Jerry moved to the Pioneer Apartments where they resided. Jerelyn enjoyed reading, baking, picking berries, and having her family and pets around her. Jerry inherited the gift of talking and storytelling from her dad, which many will remember her for. Jerelyn’s amazing faith was a pillar of strength that always allowed her to get through any obstacle.
Jerelyn is survived by daughter, Sarah (Kevin) Sheffer and grandsons, Elias and Hudson Sheffer of Angora; son, Jason Martinson of Virginia; son, Stewart Martinson and grandson, Nathan Martinson of Cook; sister, Carol (Mike) Keister; brother, Verne Chesney of North Dakota; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Sarazine of Cook, Coralee (Greg) Mihm of Vermilion Dam-Cook, Valerie (Jerry) Ohotto of Cook and Bonnie Martinson of Eveleth; brother-in-law, Grant Strand of Virginia; and numerous other family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Martinson Jr.; parents, Milton and Norma Karvala; nephews, John Michael Keister and Brett Chesney; brothers-in-law, Raymond Sarazine and Barry Martinson; and sister-in-law, Gloria Strand.

Roger J. Salo
Roger James Salo, 65, of Babbitt, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. Pastor Roth will officiate. Following the service, a Celebration of Life will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Hide-A-Way in Babbitt. Burial will be at the Argo Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Roger was born on April 26, 1954, in Winton, to Roger and Barbara (Nelson) Salo. He attended JFK High School where he played football and hockey, graduating in 1972. He served in the Navy from 1972 to 1974. He attended Dunwoody College, graduating in 1976. Roger worked as an FCC general radio and telephone operator and engineer, electrician, instrumentation analyst, and air quality pollution control analyst for Minnesota Power for 30 years. He also worked at CH2M Hill from 2013-2014, and was a commercial fisherman in Alaska from 2007-2013.
Roger was an NRA life member. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 535 and 1539, Masonic Lodge 239, Instrument Society of America, and Air and Water Management Association. Roger was an avid fisherman, hunter, shooter, trapper and outdoors man. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, pool and darts. He was a farmer and a socialite. Roger was a grandfather, father, brother, coach, and friend to many.
Survivors include his children, David Salo of Mt. Iron and Laurel Salo of Plymouth; grandchild, Thomas Salo of Mt. Iron; brothers, Russell Salo of Embarrass and Bill Smith of Babbitt; sisters, Kathy Salo of Babbitt and Cynthia (Frank) Dilegame of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and mother, Barbara Nelson of Babbitt.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roger William Salo in 2003.

Adolph E. Schmidt
Adolph E. Schmidt, 86, of Embarrass, passed away on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at Waterview Pines Nursing Home in Virginia. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019, at the Embarrass Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church in Pike Township. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Survivors include his wife, Karen Schmidt of Embarrass; four children; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mary Alice Perushek
Mary Alice Orlovski Grosell Porthan Perushek, 91, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, after a short stay at the Boundary Waters Care Facility. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely. Memorial gifts can be made in Mary Alice’s memory to Ely Bloomenson Hospital Auxiliary or the Humane Society.
Survivors include her brother, Leo Orlovski; her stepdaughter and son-in-law, Francine (Perushek) and Richard Schaefer; granddaughters, Jacqueline Berry and Lynda Keetch; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Allen A. Swanson
Allen Arthur Swanson, 81, of Cook, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019, at the Cook Care Center. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at the First Baptist Church in Cook. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Melvin M. Luhta
Melvin Matthew Luhta, 88, of Waasa Township, peacefully passed away on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2018, at Babbitt Carefree Living. A Celebration of Life was held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at the Hideaway in Babbitt. Interment was at the Waasa Cemetery. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his brother, Wilbert (Joan) Luhta; niece, June (Wesley) Boyle; grandniece, Tammy (Mark) Phillips; and grandnephew, John (Sara) Robich.

Marion Saranpaa
Marion Lilly Pyhala Saranpaa, 94, of Embarrass, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Waterview Shores Assisted Living in Two Harbors. She was the youngest and last surviving of the 17 children of Mike and Anna (Kujala) Pyhala. A funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church in Pike Township with Pastor Jon Salo officiating. Burial was in the Waasa Cemetery. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her son, Steve Saranpaa; grandson, Jeff (Janell) Saranpaa; granddaughter, Julee (Kyle) Borg; son, Kirk Saranpaa; daughter, Kathy (Mike) Duich; granddaughter, Angela Duich; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Ellen J. Kahn
Ellen J. Perkola Kahn, 93, of Cook, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at Carefree Living in Cook. A memorial service was held on Thursday, Oct. 31 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her son, Fred (Patti) of Billings, Mont.; grandchildren, Allison, Emily (Jake) and Peter (Nadege); great-grandchildren, Jonah, Owen and Charlotte; son, Steve of Grand Rapids; granddaughter, Rachel (Jim); great-grandson, Cade; son, Tom (Marla) of Cook; grandchildren, Dustin and Ryan (Trichell); great-grandchild, Aasun; son, Randy (Deb) of Cook; step-grandchildren, Crystal and Luke; five step-great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy; and several nieces and nephews.

obituaries, death notices, Jerelyn R. Martinson, Roger J. Salo, Adolph E. Schmidt, Mary Alice Perushek, Allen A. Swanson, Melvin M. Luhta, Marion Saranpaa, Ellen J. Kahn