All Obituaries

Michael Gene Spehar, 68, of Duluth, Minnesota died on Thursday, August 16, 2018 at Solvay Hospice House, after a courageous 1 year battle with cancer. Mike was born on July 7, 1950 to Joseph & Clementine (Talerico) Spehar. Growing up in Morgan Park, he was the youngest of 4 siblings. He graduated from Morgan Park High School, class of 1968. From there he graduated from the University of Minnesota – Duluth, with a degree in teaching. After college, Mike went on to work at Tower...

Margaret E. Winters, age 85, passed away June 21,2018. She was born on September 3, 1932 to Eli and Martha Anderson in Superior, WI. Margaret was a graduate of Superior Central High School, class of 1950. She attended UWS, graduated from Fairview Hospital School of X-Ray Technology, in Mpls, MN and worked as an X-ray technician in Duluth, MN. On Aug.3, 1957, Margaret married Daniel Winters. They made their home in Cloquet, MN for over twenty years, raised their family...

Shirley Irene Carlson, 93, formerly of Hoover St, died Thursday, August 2, 2018 at the Viewcrest Health Center surrounded by her family. She was born in Cloverton, MN on March 12, 1925 to William and Ruth Sperling. Shirley moved to Duluth at the age of 15 and was a Central High School graduate. She attended secretarial school in Duluth. She retired from Glass Block where she had worked for many years. She was a member of the Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd, Order of the Eastern Star and...

Lucille Zimbeck, 92, of Duluth, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at Viewcrest Health Center. She was born in Duluth on October 2, 1925 to Anthony and Agnes Luczak. Lu left school at age 15 when her mother died, helping raise her eight younger siblings. Lu married Robert Zimbeck in Duluth on June 5, 1948 and started their family. Lu worked as a cook at Viewcrest and for St. Louis County. She was an election judge and enjoyed playing cards and cribbage. Lu loved her family deeply,...

Vernon “Brad” Kerr, 47, of Superior, WI, died Tuesday, July 24, 2018 in his home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Branson, MO on February 17, 1971. He was a self employed mechanic and construction worker. In his younger years, he participated in football and Boy Scouts. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Nascar racing fan, and enjoyed fishing and cooking. He is survived by his fiancé, Theresa Wehmanen; his mother, Connie Kerr of Superior; a sister, Mickie...

Robert Nicholas DeRocher, 96, of Duluth, died Friday, July 20, 2018 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Proctor.  He was born February 13, 1922 in Solon Springs, WI to Joseph E. and Grace G. (Storey) DeRocher. Bob was an Army veteran of World War ll.  Bob married Phyllis A. Wittich in Duluth on September 20, 1952.  Bob retired from Chun King as the traffic manager after 23 years of service, when they closed.  He then worked for the Duluth Transit Authority for 17 years,...

Donald R. Rothe, 93, of Duluth died Friday, July13, 2018 at the Viewcrest Health Center. Don was born in Duluth on August 17, 1924 to George and Esther (Holmberg) Rothe. Don graduated from Duluth Central High School and enlisted in the US Navy, spending his service time on submarines during World War II.  He returned to Duluth following the war and married Roberta Sharpe on August 30, 1947. Don’s career with the Duluth Police Department spanned over 34 years, retiring in 1984 as a...

Pamela Jean Weme Sakells, 56, of Proctor, passed away on Saturday July 7, 2018 in Essentia Health, St. Mary’s Hospital.  She was born in Duluth on November 29, 1961 to Edward and Lois Weme.  Pam graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School.  She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.  Pam had enjoyed working as a CNA, as she was able to help others.  She enjoyed music and teaching guitar, camping, bike riding, time spent with her family and her dog Wiggles, she...

  William J. Pfister, 49, of Solon Springs, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 6, 2018. Bill was born January 13, 1969 in Duluth, Minnesota to Joseph and Phylis Pfister. He graduated from Denfeld High School in Duluth in 1987. He was employed by Duluth Brass & Aluminum Company since 1990. He was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Timberwolves. He loved hockey, golfing, playing cards with his daughter, Hannah, and playing video games with his son, Aaron.  Bill...

Lawrence G. “Larry” Pelkey, 88, of Duluth, died Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay. Larry was born on July 26, 1929 in Brainerd, MN to Ernest and Geneva Pelkey. Larry served in Germany as a medic in the US Army. Larry retired from Reserve Mining in Silver Bay. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers; a sister; a great-grandson and his first wife, Vera. Larry is survived by his wife, Betty; a daughter, Becky (Dean) Torgerson of Las...