Paul A. Stepan
Paul Atwood Stepan, 70, a lifelong resident of Tower, died on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, at home with family by his side. A memorial service was held on Monday, Dec. 1 at Bauman-Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Casual attire was preferred. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. Memorials are preferred to the Wounded Warrior Project or the NRA.
Paul was born on July 4, 1955, to John and Marion Atwood Stepan in Soudan. He graduated from Tower-Soudan High School and went on to get his associate’s degree. On Sept. 11, 1976, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Robin Surla.
Paul’s family and friends will fondly remember him as a jack of all trades. He retired from LTV Steel. After retirement he worked for Kolstad-Olson Drilling, was a school bus driver for ISD 2142, taught motorcycle safety courses, and worked for Northwoods True Value. Paul enjoyed plowing snow, working with his skid steer, working on cars, building things, and was a gun enthusiast. He especially cherished time spent with grandchildren, family and friends, particularly having a good conversation with members of the Liars Club.
Paul is survived by his wife of 49 years, Robin; children, Sean (Erin) Stepan of Hermantown and Rachael (Tyler) Tuominen of Rockford; grandchildren, Alyssa, Samuel, Anabelle and Spencer; and sister, Jeanne (Terry) Driscoll.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, Edward and Steven; and niece, Shannon.
Allen C. Williams
Allen Carl “Al” Williams, 80, of Virginia, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, surrounded by the family he cherished. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6 at United Methodist Church in Virginia with visitation one hour before the service. The family invites all to gather following the service at the Virginia Elks Club for a celebration of life. Private interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to East Range Hospice, Rock Ridge Construction Club, or the Lake Vermilion Association, organizations that reflect Al’s passions and values.
Al will be remembered for his kindness, his craftsmanship, his humor, and his unwavering commitment to the people and places he loved. His legacy lives on in the family he adored, the structures he built, the waters he explored, and the community he strengthened through a lifetime of humble service. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Allen was born to Arvo and Andrea Edberg Williams and raised in Virginia. Al learned early the value of hard work and service to others. In high school, he excelled as a star basketball player. Outside of school, he served as a chauffeur for the city clerk, his first real job, which required not only driving but the physical labor of carrying the clerk wherever he needed to go. It was a responsibility Al embraced with humility, humor, and a deep sense of duty.
Al’s dedication and hard work on the basketball court, and towering 6’ 7” height, earned him an athletic scholarship to the University of Minnesota-Morris. After graduating with a teaching degree, he expected to enter the classroom, but life led him down an unexpected and fulfilling path. While waiting for his teaching license, he began working temporarily for his father-in-law at Pohaki Lumber, a local business that would become a lifelong home. That “temporary” job evolved into a permanent and beloved family business and a career spanning decades, now continuing into its fourth generation. Even well into retirement, Al could be found at Pohaki, always ready for any odd job or helping hand that was needed, hoping to find a sweet treat in return. His dedication, reliability, and quiet strength left a lasting imprint on everyone who worked beside him.
Al also contributed his time to various professional and community organizations including an appointment as president of the Northwestern Lumber Association, Rotary International, the Elks Lodge, and the Virginia Gun Club and Rifle Range. Al was also an adventurer at heart. A certified scuba diver and part owner of Tall Pine Scuba and Lessons, he explored the waters of the Caribbean Sea and South Pacific including Hawaii and Bora Bora. Whether discovering vibrant reefs or teaching others to dive, he found deep joy beneath the waves. Closer to home, Al was an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing in various destinations across the U.S. and Canada.
At home, Al was happiest working with his hands. A lifelong builder and creator, he remodeled the family home, which was also his childhood home, and built a cherished cabin on Lake Vermilion, places that continue to hold generations of memories. His craftsmanship reflected who he was – steady, thoughtful, and always willing to put in the effort to make something better.
Allen is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Mary; children, Rick Williams of Nashville, Tenn., and Heather (Brandon) Seppala of Virginia; beloved grandchildren, Alli, Brady, Ava and Haylie, all of Virginia; brother John (Jean) Williams of Solway; sister-in-law, Judy Jytyla; and nieces, Molly Minervino and Amy Stepan. He carried immense pride in his family, and they were the center of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arvo and Andrea Willams; brother, Eric Williams; in-laws, Steve and Blanche Pogorelce; beloved grandmother, Anna Edberg; brother-in-law, Art Jytyla; and nephew, Steve Jytyla.
Janice Olson
Janice Olson, age 90, died on Nov. 17, 2025, at the Cook Care Center. A memorial service will be held on Dec. 12, at the Cremation Society Chapel, 4100 W. Grand Ave, Duluth, with visitation at 11 a.m. and service beginning at 12 p.m.
Janice was born Sept. 26, 1935. She married Harold Olson on July 18, 1953, raised her family in Alborn, and upon retirement, spent summers on Lake Vermilion and winters in Duluth. Janice was active in the Faith Lutheran Church in Culver, as well as Holy Trinity in Duluth.
She was a Past Matron in the Order of the Eastern Star and served as President of the Resident Council at the Cook Care Center. Janice enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards, bingo, and reading.
She is survived by three children, Susan Davey of Duluth, Sheri (Michael) Holmes of Angora, and Lowell (Cheryl) Olson of Hermantown. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Heather Olson (Jeremy Hofstrand) of Superior, Wisc., Matthew Holmes, MD (Kerby Green) of Cook, Kristina Lillo of Duluth; Dillon Olson of Duluth, and Sadie Olson, along with nine great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank Dr. Eric Elleby for his excellent and kind care, as well as the staff at the Cook Care Center.
John S. Wright, DVM
John Scott Wight, DVM, 80, of St. Paul and Ely, died on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Interment will be private. Arrangements are with Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel of Richfield.
He is survived by cousins, Mary Manley and Marcie Horner (Mark Nelson); and many friends.
Bernard G. Barich
Bernard G. “Bernie” Barich, 85, a lifelong resident of Ely, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, at Carefree Living in Babbitt. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Family arrangements were entrusted to Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by wife of 62 years, Kathleen “Kathy” Meglan Barich; daughter, Beth Marolt (Jim Marolt); sons, Bernie (Tami) Barich and Jim (Julie) Barich; five grandchildren, Alex (Nicole) Marolt, Emily Marolt, Anne Barich, Andrew Barich and Ben Barich; great-grandchild, Greyson Marolt; sisters-in-law, Helen Jean (Tom) and Marie (Jerry); and numerous nieces and nephews.
Harold J. Langowski Jr.
Harold Joseph Langowski Jr., 73, of Pike Township, died on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral arrangements are pending with Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
