Obituaries
Brenda Johnson
Oct 31, 2025
Brenda passed peacefully at home in Staples/Motley on October 31, surrounded by the family she lived for. Born in Montevideo, MN, Brenda was a kind and caring woman whose laughter and generosity touched everyone around her. She devoted her life to her family, finding her greatest happiness as a mother, grandmother, and friend.
Brenda enjoyed trips with her daughters and granddaughters,...
Sandra Olson
Nov 1, 2025
Sandra Marie Olson, age 55, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Brainerd, MN, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday November 1, 2025 in Fergus Falls.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.
Sandra was born on April 3, 1970, in Brainerd, MN,...
Sharon Smith
Nov 9, 2025
Sharon Ann Smith, born on October 15, 1947, in Chicago, IL, passed away surrounded by her family on November 9, 2025, in Brainerd, MN. Sharon was a beloved mother and grandmother and will be missed by many.
A heartfelt thank you to St. Croix Hospice and Edgewood staff for their compassionate care.
A service for Sharon will be held at a later...
Duane Larson
Nov 5, 2025
Duane Roy Larson “Lars”, born January 27, 1935, in Minneapolis, MN, passed away on November 5, 2025, at his home in Pine River.
Duane grew up one of 5 children to his parents, Roy and Marie (Borchert) Larson. He joined the Army in 1957 and after leaving the service he came north and fell in love with the area. Duane moved...
Elsie Dotzler
Nov 5, 2025
Elsie Elizabeth (Richards) Dotzler, age 93, passed away on November 5, 2025. She was born on May 22, 1932, in Chokio, MN to Leonard and Elsie Richards. She graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1950. Elsie lived in Emily before moving to Brainerd in 1987, She worked for Samco, Scorpion, The Aitkin Turkey Plant and was known as the sample...
Eric Anderson
Nov 4, 2025
Eric James Anderson
February 11, 1965 — November 4, 2025
Eric James Anderson, age 60, passed away on November 4, 2025, at his home in Baxter, Minnesota.
Eric was born February 11, 1965, in Ansbach, Germany, the son of Harold and Janet Anderson. He graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School in Mayer, Minnesota, he later traveled to England to attend the Lord Iver...
Judith Pitschka
Nov 4, 2025
Judith Mae Pitschka, 85, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, with her daughter by her side.
Judith was born on August 4, 1940, in Princeton, Minnesota, to Harlow and Edith (Olson) Cunningham. She spent over 27 years working at A-Pine, a place where she formed many lasting friendships and was known for her dedication and warm spirit. Judith...
Victor Flansburg
Nov 3, 2025
Victor W. Flansburg, age 97, of Staples, MN passed away on November 3, 2025 at the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN. A Memorial Service will be held in June of 2026
A full obituary will be posted soon.
James Steffen
Nov 2, 2025
James "Jim" Steffen, 63, of Backus, Minnesota, passed away on November 2, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on July 30, 1962, in Spencer, Iowa.
Jim owned and operated Trailside Birch Products alongside his wife, Lorraine, where he crafted birch veneered furniture. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, trapping, and spending time in nature. Jim had a gift for...
Steven Dille
Nov 1, 2025
Steven Roger Dille, 75, of Motley, Minnesota, passed away on November 1, 2025. A visitation will be held from 4pm – 8pm on Sunday, November 9, 2025, at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Staples. Services will be held 11am on November 10, 2025, with a visitation one hour prior at Motley Free Methodist Church.
Steve was born on October 25,...
Carl Trager
Nov 1, 2025
Carl Trager, 85, of Staples, MN passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monay November 10, 2025, at 11:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, MN. There will be a visitation held at 10:00am at the church. Private family burial will be held at Motley City Cemetery.
Carl was born in Hazen, North...
Harley Laflin
Oct 31, 2025
**Service information: Friday November 7, 2025 at 10:00am at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter. Visitation will begin at 9:00am. Harley's family invites you to stay for lunch following the service.**
Harley Duane Laflin, of Baxter, MN (formerly of Brainerd and Backus, MN, passed away on October 31, 2025 in Baxter.
Funeral Services will be held on Friday November 7, 2025 at...
Gary Kub
Oct 31, 2025
Gary Kub, age 79, passed away unexpectedly in his home on October 31, 2025 in Baxter, MN. He was born on July 29, 1946 to Joe and Ruth Kub and grew up in Hinckley, MN. Gary went to college at St. Cloud State University, where he met his wife Gayle in fencing class when they were 19. They were married...
Howard Leifermann
Oct 31, 2025
Howard E. Leifermann, 79, of Baxter, MN passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, at the St Cloud VA Medical Center. He was a proud Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elvira Leifermann, his son Steven (also a Marine Veteran), his brothers Robert and Dennis, and his niece Christine Lahte.
He is...
Beverly Erie
Oct 30, 2025
S. Beverly Erie, was born February 26 1937 at the family farmstead in Gonvick, MN. She was the eighth of nine Erie children. She attended school in her hometown of Gonvick, where she was a cheerleader for the Gonvick Bulldogs. She spent her early years working the farm with her family during the week and spent weekends at the Pine...
Carol Greaves
Oct 30, 2025
Carol Greaves, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2025. She leaves behind her devoted husband, John, her loving children Patti, Sherry, and Charles, along with their spouses, cherished grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — all of whom brought her immense joy throughout her life.
Carol was a woman of deep compassion, boundless generosity, and unwavering commitment to...
Doreen Bock
Oct 29, 2025
Doreen Ann Bock (Schwitalla), age 87, of Brainerd, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2025. Doreen was born on October 21, 1938, in St. Cloud, Minnesota and grew up in Delano graduating in the class of 1957.
On November 18, 1961, Doreen married the love of her life, Harvey L. Bock. Together, they built a loving home and raised two...
Kenneth Johnson
Oct 29, 2025
Kenneth L. Johnson, 91, Poplar, passed away on October 29, 2025 at his home, surrounded by his family.
Ken was born August 11, 1934, to Larue and Clara (Opheim) Johnson on his grandparents’ farm in Byron Township. He attended Poplar country school through 8th grade and then high school in Motley, graduating in 1951. He enjoyed working on the grain and...
Irene Holden
Oct 28, 2025
Irene K. Holden, age 101 of Crosslake, MN passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at Whitefish at the Lakes in Crosslake.
Irene was born August 18, 1924 in Freeman, South Dakota to Paul Peter (P.P.) and Anna (Wollman) Kleinsasser. Irene was blessed with 4 children. Irene lived in Backus, most of her life before moving to Crosslake in 2020. Irene...
Richard 'Dick' Sampson
Oct 27, 2025
Richard A. Sampson, 86, formerly of Motley, MN, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2025, in Brainerd, MN.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Motley Free Methodist Church in Motley, MN. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Motley City Cemetery.
Richard was born on...
