Obituaries
Judithann 'Judy' Richer
Jul 28, 2025
Judithann ‘Judy’ Cecelia Mares-Richer, age 78, of Staples, MN passed away on July 28, 2025, in Staples. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday August 23, 2025, at 11:30am at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples. There will be a visitation beginning at 10:30am at the church.
Judy was born on June 5, 1947, to Willfred Mares and Ida Schmit. She...
David Mertens
Aug 21, 2025
David Fredrick Mertens, age 86, of Staples and Wadena, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2025. He was born on July 19, 1939, to Lawrence and Violet Mertens.
David shared 53 wonderful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Marion. Together, they raised five children and built a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion.
Full obituary will follow.
A Mass of Christian...
Bess Mahle
Aug 21, 2025
Bess Mahle, 89, of Crosby, passed away on August 21, 2025.
Services will be held 11am on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Full obituary will follow.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
Sean Broutie
Aug 20, 2025
Sean Michael Broutie, born December 16, 1965, to Richard D. Broutie and Linda J. Hys, passed away on August 20, 2025.
Sean loved to greet everyone with a handshake and always with a big smile. Sean spent his last several years fighting multiple health issues and is now at peace in heaven with Jesus.
Sean is survived by his birth parents, Richard...
Pamela Collins
Aug 18, 2025
Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with Thanksgiving what God has done through His servant, Pam.
Pamela -- Pam Collins was born in Chicago Illinois on August 5, 1950, the child of Leroy and Lois Chapman. She was baptized into Christ; joined to his resurrection and life...
Phyllis Gardner
Aug 18, 2025
Phyllis Laurene Gardner, 82, of Pine River, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025. She was born on November 11, 1942, in Pine River, Minnesota, to Glen and Edith (Cunningham) Hurst.
On June 16, 1962, Phyllis married the love of her life, Rolland “Bill” Gardner, and together they built a life filled with family, faith, and love. Phyllis worked for many...
Mike Gildart
Aug 17, 2025
Mike Melvin Gildart, 78, of Fort Ripley, passed away on August 17, 2025, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mike was born on September 22, 1946 to Melvin and Elaine (Graff) Gildart in Brainerd, Minnesota. He was raised with a strong work ethic and a love of the outdoors. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army before beginning his career as a...
Philomena Szymanski
Aug 14, 2025
Philomena Szymanski, 91, of Pequot Lakes, passed away on August 14, 2025 surrounded by family.
She is survived by daughter Deb McNamee (Barry); son, Daniel Szymanski; grandchildren William Rodgers, Dana Wilson and Deanne Pollack.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel.
Amy Richards
Aug 13, 2025
Amy Marie Richards age 64, passed away on July 13, 2025, at St. Joseph’s hospital in Brainerd, MN due to cancer. She was born December 5, 1960, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee to Alan (deceased) and Mary Jane Christman. She leaves behind her beloved husband Wayne Richards, stepdaughter Haley (Josh) Mackenthun and granddaughter Everly. Amy was a devoted friend to all...
Eileen Spilman
Aug 10, 2025
Eileen (Fornshell) Spilman, 80, of Pillager, passed away on August 10, 2025, at Lakewood Care Center in Staples.
Eileen was born April 7, 1945, in Brainerd, MN, to Curtis and Jeanette (Ackerson) Fornshell and grew up in Pillager, graduating from Pillager High School in 1963.
She went to work in St. Cloud at Fingerhut and later at JC Penney’s until she married...
Frederick Casey
Aug 10, 2025
Frederick J Casey, 83, of East Gull Lake, passed away on August 10, 2025 shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Fred was the son of Frederick J. (Fritz) Casey, Jr. and Irene (Crawford) Casey and was born in Brainerd on April 30, 1942.
Fred was a 1960 graduate of Washington High School in Brainerd, a 1964 graduate of Concordia College...
Cora Vanessa Ruth Klein
Aug 9, 2025
Cora Vanessa Ruth Klein was born and lost on Saturday, August 9th 2025 at 10:22pm. Cora weighed 4 lbs 6 oz and was 18 inches long. Cora, known as "Baby Ruth" while in the womb, is the first grandchild for both sides of her family.
Cora is survived by her parents, Aaron and Lindsey (Soule) Klein; grandparents, Joe & Rosie Klein...
Brenda Smith
Aug 9, 2025
Brenda S. Smith, 65, of Lakeshore, passed away at her home on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Brenda was born in Faribault, Minnesota in 1959. She raised her family in Medford Minnesota, eventually moving to Lakeshore where she lived for many years.
Brenda is survived by her husband Brad; daughter, Stephanie (Nick Rapp) Smith; three grandchildren, Ariana, Liam and Zeke Smith; son, Michael...
James 'Jim' McLellan
Aug 8, 2025
James (Jim) Scott McLellan, The Whitefish Chain Fishing Legend, died peacefully on Friday August 8, 2025, in Pine River, MN with his wife of 49 years, Lorie, at his side.
He was born in Gothenburg, NE on August 19, 1950, to his parents Richard (Doc) Allen McLellan and Jeanne (Betty) Elizabeth McLellan, who preceded him in death.
Jim is survived by his...
Maryann Eliason
Aug 8, 2025
Maryann Ruth Eliason, née Glyer, of Lake Shore, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on the afternoon of Friday, August 8, 2025 at the age of 81.
Her death has fundamentally rocked the lives of the loved ones who survive her, including her husband of 61 years, Robert, her children Erik and Sara, and their families, which includes spouses Angela and Chris and...
Troy Cable
Aug 8, 2025
Troy Mitchell Cable found his peace on August 8, 2025, at home in Ideal Corners. Troy was born on July 8, 1971, in Edina, Minnesota, to Richard P. and Pamela A. Cable. The family moved to Fifty Lakes in the early 70’s. After graduating from Pine River High School, he studied Aviation Maintenance at Thief River Falls Technical College. He...
Geraldine Ott
Aug 8, 2025
Geraldine Marie Ott, 85, of Motley, passed away on August 8, 2025, at the Harmony House in Motley while under Moments Hospice Care, with her brother David and daughter Gina holding her hand, along with Henry, Kati and Dominique close by.
Gerry was born on October 14, 1939, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Frederich and Dorothy (Hindt) Widhalm. She married the...
Colten Cain
Aug 2, 2025
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Colten Michael Cain. Born on July 21, 2004, to Michael and Tina (Leick) Cain, Colten left this earth far too soon on August 2, 2025, in Wyoming.
Colten attended high school in Pequot Lakes, where he was passionate about football, wrestling, and cracking a good joke. He was...
Joseph O'Donnell
Aug 2, 2025
In Loving Memory of Joseph Vendolin O’Donnell
Joseph Vendolin O’Donnell, age 97, passed away peacefully on August 2, 2025, at his home in Breezy Point, MN, where he had spent the last 42 years surrounded by the natural beauty he cherished and the family he adored.
Born and raised in St. Cloud, MN, Joe lived a life marked by service, strength, and...
Michael Scott Hennen
Aug 2, 2025
Michael Scott Hennen, 64, of Motley, passed away on August 2, 2025. Private Family Services will be held. Michael is survived by his spouse Rosalie Hennen; son Alex Hennen; sister Randa (Lem) Roby; nieces Nikki (Kevin) Tidwell, and Kalei Roby; great-niece Ashley Tidwell; step-mother Carol Hennen; and many aunts and uncles. He is preceded in death by his mom Patricia...
