Arthur Nicky "Nick" Asuma

Arthur Nicky 'Nick' Asuma

Arthur Nicky Asuma "Nick", age 71, longtime resident of Zim and Cherry, died Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at his home.

He was born November 1, 1953, in Virginia, MN, the third of five boys to Art and Wilma Asuma.

While Art worked at Minntac, he also ran a small farm where the main crop was "teaching the five boys to work hard", a quality Nick excelled at the rest of his life.

The farm was within walking distance (through the field and woods) of the Cherry School. Nick attended the Cherry School from 1st through 12th Grade. He played basketball and baseball and was a member of the Honor Society. He attended Mesabi Community College where he played basketball and earned his AA degree. He then attended Eveleth V0-Tech studying Industrial Instrumentation and was hired at Minntac as an Electrician.

When the bottom dropped out of the steel market in the early-to-mid 80's, he worked various jobs including: working on locomotives in the Twin Cities, being a maintenance man for Range Cooperatives properties, and two adventurous summers in Alaska thinning forests on remote islands – living in tents and eating mostly what they could catch or shoot.

When the steel market picked up again, he returned to Minntac where he worked until his retirement in 2015. His recreation was fishing, hunting, gardening, softball and Monday night basketball at the Cherry School.

He bought a home in Zim on the St. Louis River where he lived until his passing. He was content with the older home, but soon built a large, heated garage/shop which he filled with projects and tools both antique and useful. He felt he could fix anything and usually succeeded. Next he built a beautiful sauna and eventually a large pole building to hold his many projects. In his later years he bought and operated a portable sawmill – "The Golden Years Sawmill".

He was the family historian – checking records, etc. He followed his 11 nieces and nephews through their high school and college years, ready to cheer for, talk to, or advise them. He provided them with places to hunt and fish. In his last few years he followed his grand nieces and nephews in their many sporting events. He was proud of their accomplishments, but also of the quality of their character.

Nick is survived by his brothers: Bill (Judith) Asuma of Rhinelander, WI, Bob Asuma of Cherry, MN, and John (Lynn) Asuma of Cherry, MN; sister-in-law: Arlene Asuma of East Bethel, MN; nieces and nephews: Amanda, Becky, Jackie, Matt, Jean, Andy, Ali, Teddy, Jessie, Jolene, and Jay; 22 great nieces and nephews; and numerous extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother: Jim.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service Friday, June 6, 2025, at Faith United Lutheran Church. Inurnment will be in the Cherry Cemetery.

Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Virginia. To express condolences online please visit: www.baumanfuneralhome.com.