Obituaries: October 27, 2023

Cathy M. Johnson
Cathy Marjorie Johnson, 61, of Tower, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Cathy was born in Cook to Frank and Evelyn (Porter) Dupree. A Traditional Wake was held on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023 starting at 5 p.m. at the Vermilion Wellness Center, Tower. The Traditional Service will be held the next day, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 at the Onigum Community Center in Walker, Minn. at 10: a.m. Burial to follow at the Old Agency Catholic Cemetery.
Cathy lived in Vermilion most of her life. She was married at a young age and enjoyed staying home and taking care of her children. She worked as a custodian at the Vermilion Center for numerous years. She liked to garden and watch football. She enjoyed socializing and bringing family and friends together for barbeques, football parties and card games. She was an awesome cribbage player. Cathy loved to spend time with family, but especially loved picking blueberries with her grandchildren. 
Cathy is survived by her children: Renee Johnson (Antone), Tara Taylor (Carlos), James (Adriana) Johnson, Robert Johnson, Richard Johnson (Emma); numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her significant other, Dennis Hilmas, and father of her children, Robert Johnson Sr.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents; son Jerome Johnson Sr; sisters: Vivian Buckanaga, Geraldine Hanks, and Donna Dupree; brothers: Francis Dupree, Alvin Dupree, and Terry Dupree; and grandson WhiteCloud Johnson.

Gary G. Dehn
Gary George Dehn, 80, of Cook, died on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. A visitation will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27,  followed by a 4 p.m. memorial service at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. The celebration will continue immediately after the service at the South Switch in Angora.

Raymond Juntunen
Raymond “Ray” Juntunen, 83, lifelong resident of Cook, passed away on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at the Cook Care Center. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his daughter, Terry; sister-in-law, Bonnie Juntunen; brother-in-law, Gene Noel; many nieces and nephews; and his friends at the log cabin, Theresa Martinson and Ronnie Sutter.

Lana M. Tuthill
Lana Marie Christian Tuthill, 81, lifelong resident of Ely, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 15 at Carefree Living in Babbitt. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at First Lutheran Church in Ely. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at to church. A celebration of life will follow the service at Grand Ely Lodge. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
She is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Gary Tuthill of Ely; son, Neil (Brenda) Tuthill of Peshtigo, Wis.; daughter, Susan (Mark) Tarvin of Savage; grandchildren, Hope Tuthill, Christian Tarvin, Connor Tuthill and Jacob Tarvin; brothers, Keith (Susie) Christian of Seattle, Wash., and Stan (Kathy) Christian of Chicago, Ill.; cherished nephews, nieces and extended family members.

James A. Pluth
James A. “Moots” Pluth, 84, lifelong resident of Ely, passed peacefully on Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, in his home with his family by his side. A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at Grand Ely Lodge. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary Morton Pluth; brother, Richard Pluth of Chicago, Ill.; children, Greg (Jackie) Pluth of Ely, Alicia (Bill) Ladd of Grand Forks, N.D., and William (Christine) Pluth of East Grand Forks; nieces and nephews, Katie, Patrick and Chrissy Pluth of Chicago, Jason and Kevin Dargontina of Minneapolis; and grandchildren, Amelia, Alexander and Madison Pluth.