Delores C. Smolich

Delores Charlene (Michaelson) Smolich loving mother, grandmother, and friend passed away Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 at Edgewood Vista in Virginia, Minnesota.

 Delores was born to William & Rauha (Niemi) Michaelson on April 5th, 1933 in Biwabik, MN.  She attended Palo School #84 and graduated from Aurora High School in 1951.  Delores attended Duluth Business University and in 1952 went to work at Lake Mining Company for 8 years.  Delores was married to John E. Smolich on May 22, 1954 in Aurora.  Delores retired from White Community Hospital in 1998 after 28 years.  Delores lived in Aurora until moving to Mt. Iron in 2000.  Delores loved the Aurora-Palo community. 

 She spoke fondly of growing up in Palo, including being the Queen of Laskainen in her teens, and her adult life in Aurora.  Over the years Delores enjoyed the Saturday Night County Live music shows, sewing, jewelry making, going out for dinners, shopping, spending time with friends, chatting on the phone and her greatest joy of being a mother and grandmother.

Many thanks to the caregivers at Edgewood for Delores’s care over the last 13 months.

Delores is survived by her son, Scott (Candace) Smolich of Aurora; Grandchildren: Natalie Smolich (Jared Ahrens) and great-granddaughter Avery Rose of Virginia, Audrey Curfman (Guy LeTourneau) and great-granddaughter Violet of Biwabik, Zach Curfman and great-granddaughter Eloise of Aurora; Niece: Michelle (Don) Gross of Barnum; Nephew: Todd Michaelson of Ogilvie; four grandnieces, one grandnephew, one great-grandniece; Special Cousins: Darlene Lamppa of Embarrass, and Joyce Johnson of Makinen; Special Extended Family: Debbie and John Jokinen of Virginia, & Kris Walburn of Aurora; Cousins and other relatives

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband John in 1993, brother William Michaelson in 2002, nephew David Michaelson in 1976 and several aunts and uncles. 

Funeral service will be 11:00am Monday, October 16, 2023 at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora with Pastor Barbara Hegfors officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora.