Ely High School History Film Project

Bob (Chick) Maki. Bob, otherwise known by his nickname, Chick, has one brother and his parents were Toivo and Lempi (Hill) Maki. He graduated high school in 1949 and then from Ely Jr. College and UMD. After serving in the military, Bob returned to Ely with his wife, Joyce (Kokal), and raised their family of four children. He worked in mining engineering for his career at Reserve Mining.

Theresa Zupancich Jamnick. Theresa is the oldest of five children born to Edward and Molly (Merhar) Zupancich. The family lived above the Zupancich Brothers Grocery and Theresa worked there through her school years, graduating in 1956 and attending Ely Jr. College. She married Joe Jamnick and raised a family of six children and managed the Vermilion Community College food service for 32 years before retiring.

Virgie Strukel Ivancich. Virgie graduated at the top of her class in 1955. Her parents, Frank and Helen (Kovall) Strukel, owed Frank’s Liquor Store on Sheridan St. She also graduated from Ely Jr. College and UMD with a business education degree. She taught in Greenway and Babbitt and in 1968, she and her husband Paul, bought and ran the Ely Dairy Queen. Virgie and Paul had three sons.

Betty Markovich Kunstel. Betty’s parents were Joseph and Katherine (Maki) Markovich. She was one of eight children who all had to work growing up. After graduating in 1951, Betty married Stanley Kunstel and they raised five children together. Betty was a cheerleader in high school and continues that tradition today as the lone cheerleader, leading the Ely School Song at in town sporting events.

Mike Forsman. Mike graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1965 and is the oldest of 10 children born to Dale and Flossie (Kobe) Forsman. After high school, Mike served his country as a Marine, married Ernestine Hautala.  Together they had four children. He worked in the mines as a mechanic and served as an Ely City Councilor, Mayor of Ely, and St. Louis County Commissioner.

Steve (Stove Bolts Junior) Smrekar. Steve’s parents were Steve, Sr. and Jeanette (Dube) Smrekar and he was one of their five children. After graduating in 1968, Steve received degrees from St. Cloud State University, Bemidji State University and UMD. He followed in his father’s footsteps as the Industrial Arts instructor at Ely Memorial High School. He taught for 33 years and also coached softball, hockey and football. Steve is married to Nancy (Kerntz) Smrekar and they have two children. He is affectionately nicknamed Stove Bolts Junior and his father was Stove Bolts Senior.

Karl (Beans) Scheuer. Karl is the third of eight children of Bob and Katherine (Rauscher) Scheuer. Karl’s father, Bob, was a long-time principal in the Ely School System. After graduating in 1978, Karl enlisted in the Air Force where he was trained as a large aircraft mechanic. Later he was licensed by the FAA and worked for major airlines. He has four children. In 2019, Karl returned to Ely and has been working at Hibbing Taconite.

Dave G. Anderson. Dave graduated in 1982. His parents were Terry, a teacher and principal in the Ely Schools for over 30 years and Sharon (Anderson) Anderson, an artist and substitute teacher for 20 years. Dave also graduated from Vermilion Community College, UMD, and Mississippi State University. He has worked for many years at Northern News Now in Duluth with his primary career as a broadcast meteorologist. Dave and Linda (Klein) have two children.

Frank Udovich. Frank graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 1996. He is one of three children of Dr. Frank and Mary Ann (Sulentich) Udovich. Frank attended Bemidji State University, playing Division I hockey for them. He continued his hockey career playing for the LA Kings’ farm team. Frank and his wife Nicole have three children and own and operate the Historic Kawishiwi Lodge and Outfitters on Lake One, outside of Ely.

Kelly Klun. Kelly is the oldest of four children of Larry and Judy (O’Brien) Klun. Her mother, Judy, taught in the Ely School District. Kelly graduated in 2001, making her a 3^rd generation alumnus. She attended St. Scholastica and Hamline Law School. In 2009, she returned to Ely to practice law, taking over her father’s law firm. She provides legal services for ISD #696, teaches at MN-North College – Vermilion Campus and is the Ely City Attorney.

Gabi Omerza. Gabi graduated in 2019 from Ely Memorial High School. Her parents are Tim and Patty Omerza. She spent a lot of time around the school growing up as her dad was a math teacher at Ely Memorial High School. She excelled in academics, athletics, and activities. She attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO and returned in 2021 to Ely. Since moving back to Ely, Gabi has worked several jobs and currently is working for Razor Edge Systems.

Grace LaTourell. Grace will be a graduate of the class of 2024.  She will be part of the 100^th graduating class of Ely Memorial High School. Grace has been involved in many school activities, including serving as the Student Council President and a standout on the girls’ basketball team. Her parents are Bob and Alison LaTourell. She has worked in the summers at her family’s resort and outfitting business on Moose Lake, outside of Ely.