All Obituaries

Kelly Jon Fleissner, 61, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 3, 2018 at the Solvay Hospice House due to ALS. Kelly was born on June 3, 1957 in Minneapolis to Ronald E. and Beverly K. (Ness) Fleissner. Kelly graduated from Anoka High School in 1975 and continued his education at UMD. While at UMD, Kelly played football, where he was captain of the football team his senior year. He also received the Duce Rasmussen UMD Top Male Scholar Athlete award. Kelly then completed his...

Thelma Louise (Potter) Kortkamp, age 102, passed away December 2, 2018 at North Shore Estates in West Duluth where she resided for the past five years.  She was a lifelong resident of Duluth and the surrounding area. Thelma, the daughter of Scott and Alma Potter, was born November 2, 1916 in Heron Lake, MN.  She was a graduate of Morgan Park High School, and Duluth Business College. She was employed most of her life in various office management positions for regional companies such...

Charles Eliott Gregg, 78 of Chandler, Arizona formerly of Duluth, Minnesota died unexpectedly with his family by his side on November 29, 2018. He was born April 3, 1940 in Duluth, Minnesota to Chester and Fern (Carroll) Gregg. Charles was a 1958 graduate of Proctor high School. He was a proud teamster member, driving for Twin Ports Grocery/ Gateway Foods for 34 years; from June 2, 1958 to December 24, 1992.  He enjoyed golfing, working in his yard, walking his dogs watching the Vikings...

Florence "Flo" M. Eisenach, 89, of Duluth, passed away peacefully at North Shore Estates on November 25, 2018. During the past two years she experienced various health issues and was finally overtaken by them. A vibrant and socially active person, Flo, was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, West Duluth Women's Club as well as volunteering her time and talents to the YWCA and church, Our Savior's Lutheran. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, spending time at the cabin,...

Father Francis Paquette, 86, passed away on November 23, 2018. He was born on December 24, 1931 to Frank and Emily (Godbout) Paquette. He attended high school at St. Jean Baptiste in Duluth; college at Crosier Seminary in Onamia, Minnesota; Philosophy and Theology at St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Thomas Welch at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Duluth on June 1, 1957. Over his 61 years of priestly ministry, Father Paquette was assigned to St....

Patricia R. Nelson, native Duluthian, died Thursday November 15, 2018 at home with her daughters by her side eight days after celebrating her 90th birthday.  Patsy was born in Duluth on November 7, 1928 to Erik and Ruth (Magneson) Sjoberg. The eldest in a family of five, she often shared fond memories and funny stories about growing up in a close-knit family in the Morley Heights neighborhood during a time when “everyone knew eveyone else”.  She made friendships there...

John Wesley Patton, 66, of Eveleth, passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at the Solvay Hospice House after a courageous eight and a half year battle with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends during his hospice stay. He was born on September 23, 1952 to Robert and Donna Patton in Grand Forks, ND.  John retired after owning and operating Northern Industrial Insulation in Hermantown, MN.  John’s pastimes included fishing,...

Carl Arnold Tolo, 92, of Duluth, passed away Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at Lakeshore Fountains. He was born on December 15, 1925 in Duluth to Charles and Ida Tolo. His parents emigrated from Finland, settled in the Central Hillside in Duluth, and spoke only Finnish at home. Carl was very proud of his Finnish heritage. Carl enlisted in the Air Corp and left for training in 1944 while he was a senior at Central High School. He ended his tour of duty in 1946 and received his high school...

Colette Ann (Rankin) Pauley, 85, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018 at the Franciscan Health Center in Duluth, surrounded by her loving family. Colette was born November 25, 1932 in Hibbing, MN, daughter of Katherine (Gavin) and Edward Rankin. She graduated from Hibbing High School, then received her degree from Hibbing junior College. She met the love of her life, Richard Pauley, while working at the Visitor Information Booth for the Hull Rust Mine in Hibbing. They were married July 19,...

Raymond Morris Lagergren, 94, of Duluth, died Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s. He was born on November 12, 1923 in Duluth to Hilding and Olga (Anderson) Lagergren. Ray attended Monroe Elementary, Lincoln Jr, and was a 1943 graduate of Denfeld High School. He served in the U S Marine Corps during World War II, fighting at Iwo Jima.  Ray married Carolyn Rindall on May 21, 1949 in Hibbing. Ray worked for Duluth Brass and Aluminum for nearly 40 years, retiring...