Obituaries
Virginia "Ginny" Guldberg
Jul 23, 2025
Virginia “Ginny” Ann Guldberg, 80, passed away at her home in Baxter, MN, on July 23, 2025.
Ginny was born on January 5, 1945 in Roseau, MN, to Haakon and Alma (Christianson) Wold. She graduated from Badger High School in 1963. She married Gordon Torgerson and had a daughter, Tracey. They moved to Minneapolis and later divorced.
As a single parent she...
Daniel Symanietz
Jul 21, 2025
Daniel Symanietz, age 67, of Cushing, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025. A celebration of life will be held from 1pm-4pm on Sunday, August 3rd at the VFW in Randall, MN.
Daniel was born on May 13, 1958 to Donald and Donna (Thorson) Symanietz in Fargo, ND. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1976. He began his working...
Roger Spreeman
Jul 20, 2025
Roger J. Spreeman, age 93, of Baxter, MN, passed away on July 20, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, and interment with military honors will follow at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little...
Raymond Justison
Jul 19, 2025
Raymond Justison, age 81, of Merrifield, Minnesota, passed away on July 19, 2025. Born on June 30, 1944, in Litchfield to Milton and Ruby (Johnson) Justison.
After graduating high school, Ray proudly served in the United States Army. He later spent the majority of his working life as a truck driver.
On February 14, 1981, Ray married Rosalie Brunner, and together they...
Tamara Mack
Jul 16, 2025
Tamara Lynn (Houde) Mack passed quietly and peacefully knowing her LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, July 16, 2025. She was born on August 16, 1968, to Lynda Olander Houde and Gary Houde. She attended Crosby Elementary, Whittier Elementary, and Franklin Jr High before graduating from Brainerd High School. In June 1986. She then attended Central Lakes Collage before enlisting in...
Robert Johnston
Jul 13, 2025
Robert “Bob” Johnston, Sr., passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the age of 90, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, with family by his side.
Born on November 24, 1934, in Mapleton, MN, Bob was the fourth of nine children to Archie and Lora (Bell) Johnston. After graduating from Mapleton High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After Bob...
Ralph Patterson Jr
Jul 13, 2025
Ralph Patterson Jr, born February 20, 1962, in Ankara, Turkey to Ralph Patterson Sr and Georgia LaFrance, passed away on July 13, 2025, in Little Falls, MN.
Debra Mertens
Jul 13, 2025
October 21st, 1957- July 13th 2025
Debra Mertens, 67, of Staples, lost her long battle with many chronic illnesses at 945pm Sunday, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples MN surrounded by her family. (Kacey’s lungs January 17th, 1985 - July 13th 2025)
A traditional service will take place 11am on 7-19-25 at Motley Free Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior.
Deb...
Nancy Campbell
Jul 11, 2025
Nancy Marie Campbell, age 81, of Staples, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at the Harmony House in Motley on July 11, 2025. Born on January 8, 1944, in Staples, Minnesota, to Elmer and Marie (Bostrom) Goble.
Nancy was a long-time resident of Staples from being born there to moving back in 1977 and living there throughout the remainder of her life, she...
Goldie Dunn
Jul 11, 2025
Goldie Belle Bliss Dunn beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother left with Jesus on July 11, 2025.
Goldie Bliss was the 12th and final child born to Pearley and Goldie Bliss of Pennington, MN on August 17, 1936. Goldie had a happy childhood growing up in Pennington until she met the love of her life, William F. Dunn. They were married...
Susan Edwards
Jul 9, 2025
Susan “Sue” Diane Edwards (née Mark) August 17th, 1959 – July 9th, 2025
It is with profound sadness and heartbreak that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of our beloved Susan Diane Edwards on July 9th, 2025. A vibrant and extraordinary woman, Sue was taken from us far too soon.
Born on August 17th, 1959, in Brainerd, Minnesota, Sue was the...
Linda Stoltenberg
Jul 9, 2025
Linda Marie Stoltenberg, 66, of Garfield, Minnesota, passed away at home on Wednesday July 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday August 3, 2025 from 2-4pm at the Garfield City Hall & Community Center, 101 Sanstead St. East, Garfield, MN.
Linda was born on September 4, 1958, to Orville and Donna (Sibell) Ekdahl....
Maryann Petersen
Jul 8, 2025
Maryann Petersen, age 81, of Staples, passed away surrounded by her family on July 8, 2025.
Maryann was born on August 1, 1943, to Rodney and Inez (Carr) Steffes in Rochester, Minnesota. She dedicated her life to caring for others working as an LPN for over 40 years. She also enjoyed working at Clarks in Staples for over 10 years, where...
Pamela Joyce Resch
Jul 7, 2025
Pamela Joyce Resch, 66, of Staples, passed away July 7, 2025, following a long battle with cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, July 24th at the Staples Assembly of God Church at 11:00a.m. A luncheon will be served afterwards.
A private family interment will be held at a later date.
Pam was born June 4, 1959, to William and Peggie...
David Allen Smith
Jul 7, 2025
David Allen Smith, age 78, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at his home on July 7, 2025.
David was born on February 14, 1947, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Clarence and Ada (Wosnick) Smith. After graduating from high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years.
David had a lifelong passion for the outdoors and especially enjoyed...
Peggy Thorn
Jul 6, 2025
Peggy Rae Thorn, 70, of Verndale, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 6th, 2025, while enjoying the great outdoors she loved so much. Peggy was born to Robert and Dorothy Larson in Minneapolis, MN on June 16, 1955. She was a woman of contagious joy and laughter that bubbled up readily as she embraced every moment of life.
Peggy accepted Jesus...
Richard Lestina
Jul 5, 2025
Richard Boyd Lestina, born December 30, 1955, passed away peacefully through family caregiving at home on July 5, 2025, following a heroic battle with pancreatic and peritoneal cancers.
Rick was passionate about his work as a water resources engineer with the city of Maple Grove, retiring in July of 2018. He transitioned with Lori to a beautiful Longville Lake home for...
Rachel Reabe Nystrom
Jul 5, 2025
October 9, 1954 – July 5, 2025
Rachel Reabe Nystrom, a trailblazing journalist, devoted public servant, cherished mother and Oma, and beloved friend to many, passed away on July 5, 2025, at the age of 70. After an 11-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the disease took much from her, but it never took her faith in Jesus Christ.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut,...
Maurice Karst
Jul 4, 2025
Pequot Lakes resident, Maurice Delane Karst, CPO (ret), a 20-year Navy veteran, passed away on July 4th, 2025, at the age of 90. He is survived by his dear wife of 38 years, Elly Karst, and many loved ones. No formal service is planned per Morrie's wishes. He will be honored with a military salute at his burial on August...
Albert Abear
Jul 3, 2025
Albert W Abear passed away into the arms of his savior on July 3, 2025, at his home. Al was born on July 21, 1945, to Benjamin Abear and Reba (Sisk) Abear.
He was a member of the Backus Nazarene Church where he taught Sunday school and was on the church board. He served in the US Army from 1964-1967, serving...
