Obituaries: October 23, 2020

Joie P. Swenson
Joie Pauline Anderholm Swenson, 80, of Britt, passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, at The Waterview Woods Rehabilitation Home in Eveleth, after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff members of The Waterview Woods Rehabilitation Center for the excellent care Joie received in the last two and a half years of her life. Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the funeral service at Saints John and Paul Episcopal Church will be a private family service. Burial will be in the Chisholm Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements were entrusted to Rupp Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Chisholm.
Joie was born on Jan. 2, 1940, in Duluth, to Fred (Fritz) and Agnes Anderholm, and was raised in Duluth. She graduated from Duluth East High School in 1958 and the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1962, majoring in music education with organ and piano as her major instruments. She was a lifelong teacher of both piano and organ and was the church organist at Kenwood Lutheran in Duluth, starting while she was in college. After moving to Virginia, she was a 50-plus-year organist at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Virginia. She also was a music teacher in several schools in the area, first in elementary schools in Grand Rapids, and then in elementary and junior high schools in Virginia. After taking a break when her children were young, she again taught, first at Marquette School in Virginia and then at various schools in the St. Louis County School District, including Orr, Toivola-Meadowlands, Forbes and Alango.
On June 15, 1958, Joie married a fellow Virginia High School teacher, Darrel Swenson of Chisholm. One year later, Joie and Darrel bought a place in Britt where they had lived ever since. Joie was an avid reader, but when she was not reading a book, she had her knitting needles out and was knitting afghans. Every member of Joie’s immediate and extended family received at least one afghan from Joie. Afghans for new babies, high school graduates, and newlyweds were always being knit. She was also a very busy mother to her three children, supporting them as they grew, in all of their academic and extracurricular activities.
Joie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Darrel; son, Tod (Tiffany) of Eveleth; daughters, Teri (Mike) Lindsey of Oviedo, Fla., and Traci Swenson of Oakdale; brother, NC-Curt (Mary Lou) Anderholm of Merritt Island, Fla.; grandchildren, Ashley Swenson of Pasadena, Calif., Jordan Swenson-Noyes of Austin, Texas, and Graeham Robertson of Austin, Texas; special nephews and nieces, Richard Olson, Char Juntunen, Lee Olson, Lynne Kottman, Sharon Weiner, Dennis Anderholm, Fred (Jay) Anderholm, Bradley Anderholm, Jim Anderholm, Connie Votaw, John Anderholm, Chris Anderholm and Mary Beth Lueks, and all of their families; sister-in-law, Diane Swenson and her daughters, Tara and Kari.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fritz and Agnes; brothers, Fred Anderholm and Cecil Anderholm; and sister, Florence Olson.

Robert F. Padgett
Robert Frank “Bob” Padgett, 66, of Silverdale, completed his life’s journey on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Due to COVID-19, no service will be held at this time. A private gathering will be scheduled for a later date. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Bob was born on Dec. 29, 1953, in Virginia, to Robert Roy Padgett and Rita Jean (Ohmann) Padgett. He graduated from Virginia High School in 1972.
Bob worked at MinnTac for several years and later became a real estate agent. Bob owned and operated Beatty Portage on Lac La Croix for several years. Prior to retiring, Bob spent twelve years working with the Gawboy family of rural Tower.
Bob was the ultimate outdoorsman. He enjoyed gardening, berry picking, and wild rice harvesting and processing. Bob picked and braided sweet grass every year, handing out the braids to friends and family.
Bob’s passions were hunting and fishing. Bob was an Arctic explorer, fishing the Arctic Circle. He also fished in Wyoming for trout with his father and his Uncle Doug.
Duck hunting was Bob’s ultimate passion. He hunted in Canada and the Dakotas for waterfowl, but Nett Lake was his favorite hunting spot. Bob spent many falls pursuing ducks with his hunting buddies on Nett Lake. Bucko, Curtis, Timmy and Willie were there to greet Bob as he entered heaven’s gates.
Bob had a huge heart. He believed in paying it forward. He touched many lives by caring for them during their time of need.
Bob is survived by his sisters, Debbie (Kendall) Hilde of Pike Township, Susan (Mike) Koski of Embarrass and Cindy Padgett of Makinen; brothers, Greg (Shelley) Padgett of Lake Vermilion and Dan (Gayle) Padgett of Embarrass; many nieces and nephews; and his special love, Adeline.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Roger.

Lois L. Kachmarzinski
Lois Lorraine Baker Kachmarzinski, 84, of Babbitt, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, at Carefree Assisted Living in Babbitt. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 in the Babbitt Assembly of God Church. Rev. Ben Morgan will officiate. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the Argo Cemetery. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. 
She is survived by her children, Todd Ison of Corpus Christi, Texas, Timothy Kachmarzinski of Babbitt and Diana Drift of Babbitt; grandchildren she raised as her own children, Cherish Jarvi of Gilbert and Garry Nelson of Grand Forks, N.D.; siblings, Pearl Bjorgen of Spokane, Wash., and Ginger Skoog of Great Falls, Mont.; granddaughters, ShaRee and Heather Kachmarzinski of Babbitt; great-granddaughters, Braelynn and Haven Chavers of Gilbert; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Robert J. McDonald
Robert J. McDonald, 87, of Chisholm, died on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing. A public visitation was held on Sunday, Oct. 18 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chisholm. Social distancing and masks were required. A private family Mass will take place at a later date. Interment will be in the Chisholm Cemetery. Arrangements are with Rupp Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Chisholm.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Tiburzi McDonald; children, Mike (Dayla) of Cambridge, Paul (Tracy) of Ely, Sue (Neil) Tesdahl of Crosby, Tom (Kathy) of Ely, Judy (Bob) Racek of Riverview, Fla., and Joel (Carrie) of Hibbing; grandchildren, Rhett, Eric, Tomi, Bryce, Blake, Kailee, Brock, Conner, Mariah, Megan, Mataya, Natalie, Kyle, Brady, Adam, Abbey and Ayden; great-grandchildren, Gannon, Dekker, Tatum and Darlene; and sister, Darlene Anderson.

Dr. Mary Jo Godt
Dr. Mary Jo Wiermaa Godt, 68, originally of northern Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, in Augusta, Ga. A private memorial service will be held to celebrate her life. If you would like to honor Mary Jo’s life, please plant a tree or make a donation to your local animal shelter. 
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert Godt; stepdaughter, Heidi Godt (Sue); mother, Elsie; sisters, Amy Hoit (Mel), Susan Milleville (Greg) and Alyssa Hawn (Jeff); brother, John Wiermaa; and many nieces and nephews.

Charles J. Evancevich
Charles J. “Chuck” Evancevich, 61, of Ely, passed away on Friday, Oct. 9, 2020, surrounded by his loving family, after a three-week battle in the hospital where he fought courageously for his life. Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 17 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, masks were required for the service and social distancing procedures were followed. The family was unable to have a gathering after the service, but a celebration of life is planned for July 2021. Family arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Brenda Porisch Evancevich; children, Cassie (Hunter) of Minneapolis, Carly of Babbitt and Brandon of Babbitt; brother-in-law, Allan Porisch; brother-in-spirit, Gary (Marsha) Lehrman; a niece and a nephew; and several cousins.