Obituaries

Jan 12, 2019

Larry Watczak passed away on January 12, 2019 just a stone's throw away from his beloved '61 Chev Impala. He was born on March 6, 1948, the first son of Frank and Mary Watczak. Larry spent his working days as an extremely talented mechanic, finishing his career when he retired from Minnesota Power as one of their fleet mechanics....

Jan 11, 2019

Raven Lynn Perrin, 28, of Duluth, died Friday January 11, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospital.  She was born in Duluth on January 27, 1990 to Clinton and Ann Perrin.

Raven was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother Nancy Diver, Pete Ablieter, maternal grandfather Norman “Beaver” Diver, and a nephew Gage Perrin.

Raven is survived...

Jan 10, 2019

Ruth M. Sjoblom, 96, of Duluth, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019 at the Bayshore Health Center surrounded by family. Ruth was born on April 17, 1922 in Two Harbors, MN to Conrad and Sophia Carlson. Ruth grew up in Two Harbors and was a graduate of Two Harbors High School. She married Philip Sjoblom on October 10, 1941...

Jan 4, 2019

Duane "Dewey" LeRoy Ostlund, 46 of Hermantown, died suddenly on Friday, January 4, 2019 in Duluth. Dewey is the son of Don and Shirley Ostlund, who was born March 13, 1972. He was a graduate of Hermantown High School. Dewey worked as a meat cutter for Super One and he had his own welding business. He loved to tinker...

Dec 25, 2018

Judith A. Tucker, 75, of Duluth, died Tuesday, December 25, 2018 at the North Shores Estates surrounded by her family. Judy was born on April 12, 1943 in New Bedford, Mass. Her parents were William and Lidia (Ponte) Souza. Judy married Radford "Rad" Tucker on June 8, 1974 in Dubuque, Iowa. Judy was a member of Spirit of God...

Dec 24, 2018

Derek Porter Johnson formerly of Duluth, MN passed away on Monday Dec 24 in Port St Lucie, FL at the age of 26. Derek fought a hard, long battle with addiction before succumbing to the disease. Born April 4, 1992 in Duluth to Kevin and Lorrie Johnson he graduated from Denfeld HS in 2010 and was living in Port...

Dec 22, 2018

Donald J. Diesen, age 91, of Hermantown, died December 22, 2018 at Solvay Hospice House after a diagnosis of cancer in October.   He was born in Cloquet on March 25, 1927.  After graduating from Cloquet High School, he joined the US Navy in World War II and served from 1944 to 1946.  He earned Business and Law degrees from...

Dec 19, 2018

Ronald G. Kropf, 70, passed away December 19, 2018 at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay, MN.  Ron was born December 11, 1948 in Waseca, MN to Robert M. and Arlene G. (Holtz) Kropf. The family moved to Babbitt, MN when Ron was a young child and he graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1966.  He enlisted and served...

Dec 5, 2018

Louise G. Frettem, 88, of Duluth, died December 5, 2018 in Chris Jensen Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born on December 25, 1929 in Duluth to Frank and Emily Paquette. Louise was a graduate of Denfeld High School and worked as a bookkeeper for Sam’s Auto Sales and the Volkswagen Dealership in Duluth. She was a very loyal...

Dec 3, 2018

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,...

Dec 2, 2018

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...

Nov 29, 2018

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...

Nov 25, 2018

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...

Nov 23, 2018

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...

Nov 15, 2018

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...

Nov 11, 2018

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...

Nov 7, 2018

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...

Nov 5, 2018

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...

Nov 4, 2018

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...

Oct 26, 2018

Dorothy Elizabeth Peters slipped peacefully from this life on October 26 at the age of 90 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living, Proctor, where she had resided for the past 5 years.  Dorothy was a native Duluthian, born November 14, 1927, seventh of eight siblings. Pete and Dorothy raised their family in Esko; the family also spent many years enjoying...