Cecil C. Johnson, Cecil C. Johnson, who was an alumni of the Proctor High School class of 1946 and who had worked “tirelessly” for the DM&IR Railroad for 40 years, died peacefully on Fri., Feb. 2, 2007, surrounded by his family. He was 78.

The Proctor native was born April 28, 1928 to Clifford and Nina Johnson. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, U.S. National Guard, DM&IR Veteran’s Assoc., NARVRE, retired member of TCU, Proctor Moose, and life member of United Northern Sportsmen. He enjoyed spending winters in Bullhead City and summers in Iron River. Cecil was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather Gust Nyquist, a brother and sister, grandson Brian Ward and another grandchild, and great-grandchildren Nathan Ward and Hannah Bourke.

Cecil is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years Dolly, son David, daughters Carol (Mick) Ward, Terri (Scott) Eddy, Sheri (Murray Whitebird) Johnson, grandsons Todd (Jodi) Ward, Cory (Kara) Ward, Chad (Angela Adams) Ward, Marc Martin and Joshua Cecil Johnson, granddaughters Tammy (Michael) Bourke, Jennifer Martin, Misty (Josh Pelican) Roth, Crystal Martin, Beth (Derek Jauhola) Ward, Tiffany Roth and Terra Johnson, great-grandsons Nicholas Ward, Derek Dahlgren, Noah Ward, Reece Ward, Brien Bourke, and Brendon Bourke, great-granddaughters Christina Vetromila, Hannah Dahlgren, Mikayla Ward, Nicole Vetromila, Morgan Ward, Hailey Neault, Madeline Bourke and Riah Ward, sister Lucille Jenson, and several nieces and nephews. Cecil will be greatly missed by his family and many close friends.

A funeral service was held Tues., Feb. 6, 2007, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Proctor.

Clifford Grant, Jennifer (Larry) Sillanpa of Proctor is mourning the death of her father Clifford Grant of Virginia. He died Thurs., Feb. 1, 2007, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. He was 81.

Clifford was born on April 3, 1925 to Leonard and Ida (Bowman) Grant in Fergus Falls, Minn. where he grew up and attended high school. Three months after his 18th birthday he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was wounded on Nov. 7, 1944 in the Philippines. Clifford received a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge in Dec. of 1945. Clifford worked for a foundry in Fergus Falls until he became employed with the F.W. Woolworth’s Co. for 37 years in Fergus Falls, Bismarck, N.D., Minneapolis, Calumet, Mich., Duluth and Virginia. He worked up from stock boy to associate manager, retiring in 1983 in Virginia. He married Angie Tomczak in Virginia on Oct. 21, 1978.

He was preceded in death by his son Stephen (Minnow), his parents, brothers Floyd and Orman, and sisters Lillian and Dorothy.

Survivors also include his wife Angie of Virginia, his other children Terry (Laura) Grant of Mani, Hawaii, Jackie (Dante) Grandi of Duluth and Kimberly Grant (fiancee Peter Wolner) of Virginia, sisters Beverly, Gladys, Virginia and Evelyn, brother David, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, mother-in-law Angeline Tomczak of International Falls, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Service was Tues., Feb. 6, 2007 in Virginia. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Military rites accorded by the Virginia Honor Guard.

Ronald J. “Ron” Williams, Stacy (Rick) Steel of Proctor is mourning the death of her father, Ronald J. “Ron” Williams. The Ely resident died Sun., Jan. 28, 2007, in the Ely Bloomenson Nursing Home at the age of 70.

He was born June 15, 1936 in Ely, the son of Edward and Hannah (Klobuchar) Williams. He was a 1955 graduate of Ely Memorial High School. He married Marie Boldin on June 20, 1959 in Ely and was a lifelong resident. Ron was very involved in ski jumping and was instrumental in the development of the Hidden Valley Ski Trails. He sang with the Ely Harmonizers. He enjoyed taking canoe trips, fishing, and going golfing in the Ely Men’s League. He was employed by R & R Transfer, Reserve Mining Company for 27 years, and owned and operated the Westgate Motel in Ely for 18 years. He was a member of the Ely Ski Club, the Ely Chamber of Commerce, and the Ely Masonic Lodge.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ron is also survived by his wife Marie, other children Mike (Molly) Williams of Traverse City, Mich. and Tim (Linda) Williams of Lino Lakes, eight grandchildren, brothers Barry (Linda) Williams of Ely and Jack “Edward” (Mary) Williams of Waseca, sister-in-law Caroline (Don) Mikolich of Ely, stepfather John Vukelich of Ely, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held Feb. 1, 2007, at First Lutheran Church in Ely. Pastor John Bonk officiated.

Beverly Ann (Visovatti) Ohme, Beverly Ann (Visovatti) Ohme, a longtime resident of Proctor, was unexpectedly called home by her Lord on Wed., Feb. 7, 2007. She was 67.

Bev was born Sept. 2, 1939, in Virginia, Minn., to John and Agnes Visovatti. She graduated from Gilbert High School in 1957. On June 23, 1962, Bev married Norman L. Ohme. Bev was a very active member of St. Rose Catholic Church, Proctor, helping out any way she could. She had a wide variety of interests, especially cross stitch, knitting, crocheting, and other needlework. The center of her life were her husband, children and grandchildren.

Bev was preceded in death by her father, an infant son Leonard, and her brother Donald.

She is survived by her loving husband Norman, her children Steve (Peggy) of Hermantown and Lisa (Patrick) Burke of Duluth, grandchildren Alicia (fiance, Matt Muellner), Cassondra “Cassie”, Kristen, Jake, Nicholas, and Alexander, a great-granddaughter Makayla, her mother Agnes “Betty” (Visovatti) White of Hibbing, and many other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held Sat., Feb. 10, in St. Rose Catholic Church.

Mary J. White, Mary J. White, who was born in Saginaw, passed away Mon., Feb. 5, 2007, at St. Mary’s in Duluth. She was 66.

Mary was born to Edward and Frieda Schelinder Sept. 19, 1940.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Rosalie, and brothers Delmar and Roger.

Mary is survived by her husband of 38 years Robert, daughters Irene (Bruce) Aho and Christine White-Brice, step-son Dan (Terri) White, grandchildren Sarina, Andrew, Adam and Jason, sister Darlene (Orrin) Haugen, brother Don Schelinder, sister-in-law Ruth Ann Schelinder, many nieces and nephews, and special friend Lindee Kilen.

A memorial service was held Mon., Feb. 12, 2007, in the Cremation Society of Minnesota in Duluth. Reverend Dave Eaton officiated.

Chester A. Radzak, Anthony (April) Radzak and Patrick Radzak, both of Saginaw, are mourning the death of their father Chester A. Radzak. The Duluth resident died Fri., Feb. 9, 2007, at St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was 90.

Chet was born Jan. 28, 1917 in Duluth to Andrew and Mary (Konak) Radzak. He graduated from Thorton Township High School in Harvey, Ill. and married his wife Beatrice Kasowski in 1940 in Casselton, ND. Chet retired from the Duluth Police Dept. as I.D. Officer after 25 years of service. He was a police escort for President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Duluth. He also was employed at Polk County Sheriff’s Dept. in Barton, Fla. He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior, a 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus; Modern Woodmen of America, Superior Senior Center and RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program).

Chet was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Adam, Wally and Clem Radzak, sisters Stella and Agnes, son-in-law Robert Holte and his wife Beatrice in 2001.

Chet is also survived by his daughter Barb Holte of Duluth, sons Chester D. (Peggy) of Duluth, Thomas (Patricia) of Altamonte Springs, Fla., Raymond (Darlene) of Blairsville, Ga., Charles (Jennifer) of Bruce, Wis., and Mark (Sue) and Lawrence (Debra), both of Minong, Wis., his brother Donald Radzak of Minneapolis, 25 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Wed., Feb. 14 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior.