Ethel B. Gaus, Ethel B. Gaus of Munger passed away in her sleep on Tues., Dec. 13, 2005 at Viewcrest Health Center. She was 85.

Ethel was born in Duluth on October 19, 1920 to Oliver and Mary Rowe. She married Carl Gaus and they had five children. A mother to all, she was active in youth programs from the Cub Scouts, where she was the 1970 Auriga District Den Mother of the Year, to being a volunteer teacher’s aide at Munger Elementary, reading to the children whom she adored. She was also a member of the Solway Senior Citizens and until late in her life, Hope Lutheran Church of Munger. An ardent lover of all animals, Ethel especially loved her dogs, from her first as a young girl, to her beloved Tanya, who misses her.

Ethel was preceded in death by her husband and two infant sons, brothers James and John Rowe, son-in-laws Earl Tattrie and Frank Tomaselli, and Donald Johnson.

She is survived by her children Barbara Tomaselli, Ethelann Johnson, and Brian (Ann) Gaus, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, sisters Elsie (Chuck) Sieber and Elizabeth (John) Manisto, sisters-in-law Lois Rowe, Ida Petit and Alma Smucker, many nieces and nephews, and “adopted daughters” Ann Patten and Gina Devaney.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. this Sat., Jan. 7, at Christ Lutheran Church, 2415 Ensign in Duluth. Visitation one hour prior.

The family wishes to thank Ethel’s caregivers, especially Dr. Bruce Knutson and the staff of the Duluth Clinic-Hermantown; the nurses at FMC-Spirit Valley, Chris Jensen and Viewcrest facilities, and 6th floor of St. Mary’s Hospital.

Ethel Gaus was known by many and loved by most. And to a few, she was everything. She was Mom.

Kelly M. Koval, Kelene Koval of Proctor is in bereavement following the death of her father, Kelly M. Koval. The Duluth resident died Sun., Dec. 25, 2005, in St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was 89.

He was born in Duluth to Michael H. and Pauline Koval on February 17, 1916.

Kelly worked in the Open Hearth as a First Helper for 39 years of service for U.S. Steel Duluth Works, retiring in 1972. He was a member of Local 1096 of the United Steelworkers Union. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and shot his last deer at the age of 75.

Kelly is preceded in death by his wife, Aurelia, Lel, in 2000, sisters Ann, Helen and Mary, and a brother John.

Surviving is another daughter Lynnette (Don Montgomery) Koval of Indianapolis, Ind., grandchildren Jonnia Sarette of Proctor, Debi (Ted) Holl of Duluth, Dean (Sarah) LeDoux of Minneapolis, and John (Renee) LeDoux of Wrenshall, great-grandchildren Jackson Holl, Lucas and Jennifer LeDoux, and a sister Julie Evenson of Moose Lake.

A private family service will be held in the spring.

Inurnment will be in Oneota Cemetery.

Vernon R. Kuhlmey, Services were held for Vernon R. Kuhlmey, who graduated from Proctor High School in 1942. He died Sun., Nov. 6, 2005 in Royalton, Minn. He was 82.

Vernon was born on May 11, 1923, on a farm outside Big Falls to Herman and Lillian (Pedersen) Kuhlmey. They moved to Neenah, Wis. until he was five years old, and then returned to Big Falls, before moving to Proctor. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the Air Force where he served as an aerial gunnery instructor. After the war he was stationed in Japan until his discharge in 1953. He was united in marriage to Ruth Evelyn Avery in 1944 at Salem Lutheran Church in Duluth. Vernon worked at U.S. Steel and DM&IR Railroad in Duluth and while working for the railroad he went to college and received a B.S. degree in teaching. The family then moved to Royalton, where he taught school from 1965 until 1974. After retiring from teaching he became the manager of the Royalton American Legion Club, retiring in 1988. He then volunteered delivering papers to the veteran’s hospital in St. Cloud through the Cooties. He loved helping people. Vernon was a life member of American Legion #137 where he served as Post Commander as well as other posts. He was also a district officer and a member of the 40/8 in the American Legion. He was a life member of Little Falls VFW Post #1112 and the Cooties.

Vernon was preceded in death by parents, his wife Ruth Kuhlmey, grandson Douglas Kuhlmey, and brother Dean Kuhlmey.

He is survived by his sons Roger (Nancy) Kuhlmey of Indiana, Norman (Shirley) Kuhlmey of Royalton, David (Donna) Kuhlmey of Esko, Roderick Kuhlmey of Royalton, and Joseph Kuhlmey of Wyoming, daughters Lynda (Wayne) Carner of Pillager and Patty (Bob) Martin of Wyoming, 15 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Interment in Minn. State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.

Mary Ellen Johnson, Mary Ellen Johnson Bergstrom of Proctor died Wed., Dec. 28, 2005 at Lakeshore Home. She was 70.

She was born in Drayton, North Dakota and resided on the Minnesota side of the Red River. Mary Ellen was a graduate of Drayton, North Dakota High School. She later moved to the Twin Cities and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis. She married John W. Bergstrom in Minneapolis on Dec. 22, 1962. Mary Ellen worked as a secretary in various locations, most recently at Melander, Melander and Schilling Architects in Duluth, retiring in 1993. She had been an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church until its merger with Lakeside United Methodist, and member of the Stroke Club at the Polinsky Center.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Merlyn.

Mary Ellen is survived by her husband of 43 years John, sons Randy of Minneapolis and Bill (Shelly) of Superior, grandchildren Britta, Annika and Brock, her sister Joanne (Russell) Renford of St. Paul, sisters-in-law Lucille Johnson of St. Paul, Helen (Warren) Sorensen of Shoreview and Esther (Ken) Fish of Idaho, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were held last Saturday. Burial at Oneota Cemetery.

Helen H. Johnson, Patricia (Brian) Brunette of Proctor is in bereavement following the death of her mother Helen H. Johnson. The Cloquet resident, formerly of Carlton, passed away on Sat., Dec. 31, 2005 in Sunnyside Health Care Center, Cloquet, surrounded by all of her family. She was 87.

She was born on June 26, 1918 to Frank and Hilma Hill. Helen was united in marriage to Henry W. Johnson on Sept. 18, 1940. She enjoyed gardening and was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, sisters Lillian Marinkovich, Velma Boedigheimer, and Elsie Hill, and a brother Willard Hill.

She is also survived by her other children Barbara Davis of Cloquet, Les of Scanlon, Kenny (Linda) of Cloquet, Denny (Kristi) of Carlton, grandchildren Scott Davis, Kimberly, Jason Del Zotto, J.H. (Rachel), Michael, Annie (Dan Niemi), Emily Brunette, Kristopher (Ann), Jacob, Bethany and Brody, great-grandchildren Sarah and Dayelle Davis, Jada and Dominic, Presley Niemi and Lauren, brother Frank Barrett of Bellevue, Neb., many nieces and nephews, and special friends.

Services were held yesterday. A private family spring interment will be in the Hillside Cemetery, Carlton.