OBITUARIES

Mar 27, 2023

Vincenzo Ciro Sposito Sr., born July 4, 1935, passed peacefully at the age of 87, on March 21, 2023. An immigrant of Napoli, Italy at the age of 19, he spent the next 68 years as a proud American. His journey into America started at Ellis Island on February 2, 1955, where he was sponsored by his older sister,...

Mar 21, 2023

Charles William Norman, 91, and Barbara Lue (Kistner) Norman, 86, of Pine River, perished together in a catastrophic house fire in their family home of 64 years on March 21, 2023.

Charles “Chuck” Norman was born July 27, 1931, to Oscar William Norman and Jennie Marie (Kangas) Norman. After graduating from Pine River High School in 1949...

Mar 18, 2023

Fay “Geno” Eugene Frederick, 61, of Hackensack, MN, passed away Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. There will be a Memorial Service 11 am on Saturday, May 6th, at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hackensack.

Geno was born in St. Cloud, MN on May 24, 1961, to Roy and Shirley (Forrest) Frederick....

Mar 16, 2023

Robert “Bob” Sheppard passed away peacefully March 16, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brained. He was born to Frank Sr. and Stella Sheppard on April 17, 1938.

Bob wore many hats in his lifetime. As a child he grew up in McKinley township, his parents operated a neighborhood gas station, and he grew to know...

Mar 12, 2023

Dwayne Michael Johnson of Aitkin, MN, passed away on March 12, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Dwayne was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Brainerd, MN, on October 22, 1948. He attended grade school in Nisswa and high school in Pine River. He married Kathy Phillips on May 25, 1968, at First Baptist Church of Pillager. Dwayne graduated...

Mar 5, 2023

Gordon Ray Zeidler of Pequot Lakes peacefully passed away due to complications of Covid 19 on Sunday evening, March 5, 2023. Born October 10, 1941, Gordy was the first of seven children born to Gordon and Vera Zeidler.  He served his country with distinction as an Army artilleryman during the Viet Nam War. He was a beloved brother and...

Mar 3, 2023

Mark William Shamp was born on March 9, 1978, to Michael and Melanie Shamp (Struthers) of Pine River, and passed away on March 3, 2023. He attended Pine River/Backus schools and graduated in 1996. On August 7, 2010, he was married to the love of his life, Ashlee (Zaffke), his “young and fine” sweetheart. Mark worked for Larson Construction...

Mar 3, 2023

Cecil Earl Hildebran was born in Brainerd, MN, on Jan 1, 1965, to Raymond Joseph Hildebran and Lorene Hazel (Sawyer) Hildebran and died March 3, 2023, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN, from cardiac arrest at age 58. Cecil graduated from Pine River High School and then went to work for 19 years as a custodian for Courage...

Mar 2, 2023

Debra Lynn Tulenchik of Pequot Lakes, MN, passed away on March 2, 2023, in Renton, WA with her family by her side. Deb was born on December 15, 1957, to Roland “Pete” and DiAnn (Lorenz) Tulenchik in Hibbing, MN. The family then moved to Pine River, MN where she attended Pine River High School, graduating in 1976. Deb also...

Mar 2, 2023

John P. Staulcup, 89, of Backus MN, was born May 20, 1933, in Robbinsdale, MN, and went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2, 2023, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Brainerd, surrounded by his loving family.

John spent his youth in the Woman Lake area. He worked many years as a Master plumber...

Mar 1, 2023

Bonnie (Bartella) Olander, 74, of Pequot Lakes, passed away peacefully in her sleep on March 1, 2023. Bonnie was born October 25, 1948 to Vernon and Mayme (Hultgren) Bartella in Staples, MN. She grew up on the family farm with her siblings Rick Bartella, Judy Thorsett, and Pat Jensen learning about responsibility and hard work that helped her later...

Feb 27, 2023

Sylvia Bowman, age 93, of Pequot Lakes, went home to Jesus on February 27, 2023, peacefully and with family by her side. Services were held on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Crosslake Lutheran Church, 35960 County Road 66, Crosslake, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the MN DNR (noting Uppgaard WMA).  The Uppgaard...

Feb 12, 2023

Keith Harold Moser, age 87, passed away peacefully February 12, 2023. He was born to Harold and Glorine Moser on August 9, 1935, in Swanburg, MN.

Keith enjoyed living the “Lake Life” for many years during retirement. He enjoyed RVing in the winter months with his wife where they met many great friends. He sang in his...

Jan 28, 2023

Laura Mick passed away peacefully on January 28, 2023, at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Brainerd, at the age of 102 and a half. Laura was born on July 27, 1920, to Frank and Frieda Stern at home with her grandma, Mary Keske, there to escort her into a new world near Watertown, MN. Laura was later baptized and...

Jan 26, 2023

Ronald John Kokko, age 87, of Pine River, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, MN. He was born to John and Hulda Kokko on April 7, 1935, in L’Anse, Michigan.

Ron graduated from Michigan Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked for United States Steel Corporation in...

Jan 25, 2023

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, Richard Benedict Murray, devoted Catholic and Navy veteran, passed away at the age of 87.

Richard was born in Foley, MN on June 11, 1935, and was raised in South Minneapolis. Joining the Navy in May 1955 was one of his most cherished accomplishments. He proudly served on the USS Midway (CVA-41)...

Jan 24, 2023

Thomas Ray Tulenchik, age 70, of Pequot Lakes, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Known affectionately as “Tommy T” to all that knew and loved him, he was born on October 21, 1952, to Raymond and Doris Tulenchik.

Tom spent his childhood growing up in Pine River with his parents and brother, Mike, amongst a multitude...

Jan 21, 2023

A kind and loving woman, Marjorie Ann Borgerding, 84, of Kendall, WI, and formerly Backus, MN, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on January 21, 2023. She was born on March 11, 1938, to Harold and Roma (Benbo) Nutting in Minneapolis, MN. She spent her final years devoting her time and love caring for her aunt,...

Jan 20, 2023

Caroline “Carol” Zaczkowski passed away peacefully in her home on January 20, 2023. She was born to John and Helena (Meyer) Spanier in Paynesville, MN, on March 24, 1942. Carol was the youngest of 10 children who grew up on the family farm in Lake Henry, MN. She attended the local one room schoolhouse until she was in 8th...

Jan 19, 2023

Constance A. “Connie” Van Blaricom, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend to many, passed away on January 19, 2023, in Janesville, Wisconsin, at the age of 83.

Connie is survived by her children: Thomas (Denise) Van Blaricom, Daniel (Susanna) Van Blaricom, Carmen (Jeff) Hanson; grandchildren and great grandchildren; and siblings: Andrew Dembouski, Raymond (Dawn) Dembouski, Stanley...