Obituaries

Oct 26, 2019

Deborah Anne "Debi" McLeod, 67, of Proctor, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, in Solvay Hospice House, surrounded by those who loved her. She was born on Sept. 8, 1952 in Duluth to Dr. Franklin H. and Anne (Portegys) Dickson. Her father, Dr. Dickson was a long time family physician in Proctor. Debi was a lifelong Proctor resident. She was...

Oct 21, 2019

Betty Ann Linnell, 86, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 21, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born on July 3, 1933 in Duluth to Ray and Valerie Vondane. Betty graduated from Denfeld High School. She married her sweetheart, Larry Linnell on October 17, 1953 in St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. Together they raised three...

Oct 20, 2019

Eli Kokotovich, 95, passed away on Oct 20, 2019, at Primrose Retirement Community of Duluth.  Eli was born on Jan 10, 1924, in Hibbing, MN, to Jovo and Milosova (Stuckich) Kokotovich.He was a graduate of Hibbing High School, class of 1941. He attended Junior College in Hibbing and then enlisted to serve in the army in World War II....

Oct 11, 2019

Joan Elizabeth Ide, 61, of Hermantown, died Friday, October 11, 2019 at Essentia Health with family by her side. She was born on September 27, 1958 in Duluth to George and Elvira Kehoe. She was a graduate of Denfeld High School and worked as a financial customer service representative for Essentia Health. Joan married Mark Ide in Las Vegas...

Oct 6, 2019

Ruby Elizabeth (Anderson) Clemetsen, 99, died on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at the Franciscan Health Center. She was born January 1, 1920 in Duluth to Emil and Anna Anderson. Ruby graduated from Denfeld High School in 1937 and worked as an insurance secretary until marrying Marwood Clemetsen in 1942 in Green Bay. They moved to Marquette where their first...

Oct 4, 2019

Mary Ann Verhel, 97, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2019 surrounded by family at Primrose Retirement Community of Duluth.  She was born to Catherine and Michael Garay in Bennett, Wisconsin on May 30, 1922.  Mary grew up on a farm in Bennett and moved to Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1940’s, where she worked for Eveready making batteries...

Oct 2, 2019

Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Aspoas, age 66, Duluth, died October 2, 2019 in Two Harbors.  She was born in Alexandria, VA on November 10, 1952 to James Sr. and Phyllis Aspoas.  Beth was a 1971 graduate of East High School and a 1975 graduate of the College of St. Scholastica.  She had worked several jobs including managing a store but...

Oct 1, 2019

Lorraine F. Jurek Youngbauer, 84, of Duluth passed away on Tuesday October 1, 2019 at Keystone Bluffs Assisted Living.  She was born in Duluth on July 1, 1935 to Bernard “Benny” and Violet Jurek.  Lorraine graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School Class of 1954.  She married Eugene “Gene” Youngbauer on July 16, 1955 in St. Clements Catholic Church.  Lorraine...

Sep 24, 2019

Naomi C. Hammer, 89, of Duluth, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospice with her family by her side.  She was born on March 26, 1930 in Duluth to George and Alverta Clancy.  Naomi was a 1948 graduate of Denfeld High School and married Ronald Hammer on March 17, 1950 in Duluth.  In her younger years,...

Sep 22, 2019

Vance Arthur Bushey Jr, 82, of Duluth, passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 in his home. He closed his eyes with his family by his side and opened his eyes to an Amazing church service in Heaven. He was born on April 24, 1937 in Duluth to Vance Sr and Faith (Schuman) Bushey. Vance was a 1957 graduate of...

Aug 18, 2019

Laura Mae Jones, 87, of Duluth, MN passed away, peacefully with family by her side, on

August 18th, 2019. Laura was born on December 18th, 1931, in Duluth MN. She is the daughter of Jennie and Ruben Skoglund. She was married to Curtis Jones in December of 1952 and they raised their 6 children in Duluth, MN....

Aug 14, 2019

Rilynn Ramona Turner, age 2 months, 26 days, daughter of Nicklus and Lasarra Turner of Duluth died Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.  She was born in Minneapolis May 19, 2019. Rilynn touched many lives in her short time here with us on Earth. She was a fighter since day one with the attitude to match....

Aug 13, 2019

David Arthur Kent, 61, of Duluth died at home on Tuesday, August 13th 2019 after a short illness. Dave was born on November 16, 1957 in Minot, North Dakota to Dennis and Barbara (Port) Kent. “Barney” graduated from Denfeld High School in 1976 and continued his education at UMD where he excelled as an offensive tackle on the football...

Aug 4, 2019

Sharon L. Swanstrom, 77, of Duluth, died Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center. Sharon was born on September 23, 1941 to Clinton and Leona (Gibson) Ridgewell in Duluth. Sharon enjoyed reading and watching movies. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Lorne “Mac” Swanstrom. She is survived by a daughter,...

Jul 27, 2019

Ray John Hamski, 94, died Saturday, July 27, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital.  Born in Duluth to John and Rose Hamski he was an engineer for Minnesota Power and a Navy veteran.  Ray was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and its Friars Club.  He was preceded in death by his wife Irene, son John and grandson Joseph...

Jul 19, 2019

Christopher Karl Boettcher, 61, of Duluth died Friday, July 19, 2019. Chris was born on June 28, 1958 in Duluth to Lawrence and Cleone (Butler) Boettcher. Chris was a graduate of Central High School and worked for Hobart and most recently Charter Films in Superior, WI. He married Linda Dianne Manninen on August 21, 1982. Chris was a member...

Jul 7, 2019

Glen “Boots” Smith, 89, of Duluth, passed away peacefully with family by his side, July 7, 2019. He was born in Duluth on October 17, 1929, to John and Myrtle Smith.  He graduated from Denfeld High School. He enjoyed many years working as a milk man, fishing with his buddies, and time with family and friends.  Glen was preceded...

Jul 7, 2019

Neil Joseph Tolan, age 76, of Duluth, MN died Sunday, July 7, 2019 at North Shore Estates.  Neil was born July 22, 1942 in Duluth to Raymond and Jessie Tolan.  He married Carol Oraskovich on March 21, 1964.  Neil was drafted in the Navy in Nov, 1966 to 1968.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  He was...

Jun 25, 2019

Marion Elaine Lenning Boyle, 92, of West 4th Street, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital. She was born on May 9, 1927 in Duluth to Hans and Marjorie Lenning. Elaine was a lifelong resident of West Duluth, a 1945 graduate of Denfeld High School and a member of...

Jun 19, 2019

Larry David Sams, 72, of Duluth, died Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospice surrounded by his family. He was born in Duluth on July 9, 1946 to Glen and Evelyn (Archambeau) Sams. Larry was a 1965 graduate of Denfeld High School and served in the Army National Guard. He retired from AmeriPride where he was a route...