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Submitted: April 2005

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Albert S. Grahek, 85, of Ely dies



  Albert S. Grahek, 85, of Ely died Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at Ely 

Bloomenson Nursing Home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 

2, 1919 to Steve and Anna (Strukel) Grahek in Ely.

  Al attended Ely Schools, worked at the conservation corps near Isabella, 

and then graduated from St. Paul Barber College.

  In 1940 he was the first person to volunteer from Ely to fight in WWII.

Al was a member of the 329th Medical Battalion in the US Army, which 

fought 195 consecutive days in combat.

  On Aug. 28, 1948 he married Josephine “Dolly” Zaverl at St. Anthony’s 

Catholic Church.

  Al was a Master Barber for 65 years. He owned and operated his own 

barber shop in Babbitt for over 30 years and then worked out of his own 

home until recently. While barbering in Babbitt he also worked at Reserve 

Mining with the crusher. Al commonly worked more than one job at a time.

  Al was a member of the VFW Post #2717, American Legion Post #248, and 

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

  He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing.

  Al is survived by his wife: Dolly (Josephine) of Ely; three daughters:

JoAnne Coombe (husband: Lon Popejoy) of Duluth, Judy (Gary) Omerza of 

Scottsdale, AZ, Chickie (Pat) Harristhal of Rapid City, SD; four 

grandchildren: Tom and Chris Coombe, Eric and Jeremy Harristhal; great-

grandson: Chase Coombe; sister Marcella (Miles) Gardiepy of Ely; two 

brothers: Ted (Donna) of Ventura, CA and Rudy (Angela) of Lake Havasu, 

AZ; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other 

relatives.

  He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter: Lucille; 

three sisters: Dorothy in infancy, Ann Stefanich and Mary Grahek.

  Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 14 at St. Anthony’s 

Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Father James Scheuer will officiate. 

  Burial will be in the Ely Cemetery.

  Family services by Kerntz Brothers, A Bauman Family Funeral Home 

in Ely. To share an online remembrance of Al please see 

www.baumanfuneralhome.com.