Obituaries

Nov 1, 2022

Marion Forness Jacobson, age 73, of Pine River passed away at Diamond Willow in Baxter on November 1, 2022. Marion was born in Fergus Falls to Oliver and Aloha (Forness) Jacobson. He served his country in the US Air Force. Marion worked for UPS for 30 years.

Marion enjoyed spending time fishing, hunting and watching the Vikings....

Oct 29, 2022

William Charles Tessmer, age 70, of Pillager passed away on Saturday, October 29, 2022, from heart complications. Bill was born in Wheaton, MN on April 24, 1952, to Raymond & Violet (Pearson) Tessmer. The family lived Beardsley on the family farm, until Raymond got a job at Northern Pacific Railroad Shop in Brainerd. He purchased a home in Pillager...

Oct 28, 2022

Oct 28, 2022

Oct 28, 2022

Oct 18, 2022

Joyce Elaine Swanson, age 90, of Brainerd, passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, at St Joseph’s – Essentia Medical Center. Joyce was born on November 12, 1941, in Brainerd to John & Rosa (Carner) Rodman.

She is survived by her children, David (Tiffany) Hoskins, James (Sandy) Hoskins, Mary (Travis) Sobota and Robert Swanson.

Joyce...

Oct 16, 2022

Harley Emmitt Niles, age 87, of Merrifield, passed away at his home on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Harley was born in Brainerd on March 26, 1935, to Leon and Evelyn (Berg) Niles. He married Judy Parker on April 19, 1986.

Harley was a member of The Church of the Nazarene in Merrifield. He worked for Potlatch and...

Oct 15, 2022

Jacqueline Ann Dahl, of Brainerd, passed away on her 68th birthday at her home. Jackie was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on October 15, 1954, to Leonard & Lorraine (Eidenshink) Dahl.

Jackie enjoyed gardening, especially flowers. She loved Christmas, Easter and decorating for all the holidays. Making Christmas cookies was one of her favorite things to...

Oct 15, 2022

Ruth Ann (Nelson) Orton, 80, of Brainerd, MN, formerly of Delavan, IL, has sadly passed away on October 15, 2022, at Good Samaritan Society Woodland, Brainerd, MN. She was born In Pekin, IL on June 29, 1942, to Donald and Ruth (McQueen) Nelson.

Ruth was raised in Green Valley, IL, where she later graduated from Green Valley...

Oct 7, 2022

Shirley Zapzalka, 81 year old resident of Harding, MN passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at the Pierz Villa in Pierz, MN. Shirley was born on April 15, 1941 in Harding, MN to the late Steve and Christina (Brisk) Kowalzek. She was united in marriage to Arne Zapzalka and together they farmed in the Harding area. She was a...

Oct 4, 2022

Joseph S. Sturdevant, age 86 of Columbia Heights and Chandler, Arizona passed away on Tuesday, October 4th at his home in Chandler, Arizona. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia Heights, MN (4030 Jackson St. N.E. – Columbia Heights,...

Oct 4, 2022

Galen Roy Bottemiller, age 88, of Brainerd, passed away on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022. Galen was born in Bertha to William and Bernice (Clayson) Bottemiller on April 30, 1934. He graduated from Bertha High School in 1952. Galen joined the US Army in May of 1957 where he served until May of 1959. He went back to the US...

Oct 2, 2022

Nancy Ann (Lyman) Beckmann of Brainerd, MN passed away, surrounded by her children on Sunday, October 2, 2022, at 74 years of age.

Nancy will be lovingly remembered by her mother, Joyce (Newkirk) Lyman of Sibley, IA; children: Jerry (Jean) Beckmann of Baxter, MN, Jodi (Chris) Philen of Nisswa, MN, and Emily (Tim) Gilbertson of Belton, MO;...

Sep 29, 2022

Born March 26, 1938 in northern Minnesota to Andrew Emory Olds and Bessie Hopkins Olds. The youngest of eight children, her early life was in the deep woods of northern Minnesota. The family moved back and forth between northern Iowa and Minnesota, eventually settling down on a farm outside Cushing. She attended high school in Brainerd and then trained...

Sep 28, 2022

Sonia Ann (Nelson) Busbey, age 84, of Brainerd, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2022, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center. Sonia was born on July 9, 1938, in Brainerd to Irving & Beaulah (Fugate) Nelson.

Sonia enjoyed flower gardening, her chickens, Bible Study, BSF, Garden Club, and Home Makers. She loved baking carmel rolls at Woodland, camping...

Sep 22, 2022

Mary Louise Andrews-Spilman, age 84, of Brainerd, passed away on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at Bethany Good Samaritan. Mary was born on August 17, 1938, in Brainerd to Delbert H. & Elmira B. (Mose) Lamont. She married Bernard Andrews on May 6, 1961 and together they raised two sons. After Bernie’s death in 1991, Mary married Edward Spilman on...

Sep 21, 2022

Delores Joan Barron, age 94 of Baxter, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2022. Delores was born on May 3, 1928, in Minneapolis to Walter & Lillian (Johnson) Elvin. She married Eugene Barron, and they enjoyed 72 years together.

She will deeply missed by her children, Dale (Claudia) Barron of Delano, MN, Janet Johnson of Grapevine, TX,...

Sep 13, 2022

Nathan Bryan Hall, age 37 of Staples, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, September 13, 20222, doing what he loved, helping others, cutting trees and being outdoors. Nate was born on January 1, 1985, in Minneapolis to Bryan & Renee (Koski) Hall. The family moved to Staples, where Nate attended school and graduated with the class of 2004. Nate worked...

Sep 11, 2022

Kerry (Butch) Duane West, a 72-year-old resident of Staples, Minnesota peacefully left his joys and cares of earth for eternal rest and life on September 11, 2022 at home with his beloveds and compassionate care from Knute Nelson. He bravely took on the battle with throat cancer that was fast and relentless for six months. He was born to...

Sep 10, 2022

Robert Gordon Newell, age 85 of Baxter, passed away on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at Essentia-St Joseph’s Medical Center. Bob was born on January 14, 1937, in Minneapolis to Howard & Jane (Wright) Newell. He married Joyce Nygren on August 31, 1956, in Minneapolis. Together they raised 5 beautiful children.

Left to cherish his memory are his...