Obituaries

Apr 16, 2020

Dorothy Jean Swenson passed away peacefully April 16, 2020 at Hills Crossing Senior Living in Nisswa, Minnesota. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be scheduled at a later date when we can all gather together.

Dorothy Jean Baldner was born December 14, 1925, in Austin, Minnesota, to Roy and Clara (King) Baldner. She attended Shaw School and...

Apr 16, 2020

Lillian G. Peterson, 98, of Pine River, passed away April 16, 2020. She was one of ten children born to Joseph and Selma Heino. She was united in marriage to Rudolph Peterson on February 8, 1941.

Lillian is survived by her four children: Reynold of Grand Rapids, Linda Hester of Backus, Hollis Knutson of Pine River, Douglas...

Apr 15, 2020

William (Bill) Arnold Heinrich was born April 1 1960 in Minneapolis MN. He died in his home on April 15th 2020 in Brainerd MN.

He lived in Minneapolis until he was 8 when his family moved to the Brainerd area. He graduated Brainerd High School in 1978. He had many jobs over the years, but was most...

Apr 14, 2020

It is with profound sadness that the family of Avery Keith Derksen announces his passing on Tuesday, April 14, 2020.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Catherine (Rick) Meyer, Janet Stevenson, Larry (Kathy) Derksen; grandchildren, Jessica (Chris), Aaron (Michelle), Mathias, Ryan (Brittany), Stephanie; five great grandchildren, Gage, Makayla, Cadence, Lydia, Clay; and sister, Betty Dean....

Apr 11, 2020

Cheryl Lynn Beard, age 63, passed away suddenly on April 11 after a brief illness.

Cheryl was born in Brainerd, the oldest of three daughters. She and her family made several places their home before returning to Brainerd following the death of her father–   Atlanta, Georgia; Cherrypoint, NC; Liverpool, NY.

Cheryl graduated from Brainerd High...

Apr 10, 2020

Born to George Kolesar and Babe Aakhus Kolesar on November 20th, 1935.  Dave was raised during the Great Depression and a member of the “Fortunate Generation”. He was too young to fight in WWII and the Korean War, too old to fight in Vietnam. But after graduating from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School (1953), he enlisted in the Army and...

Apr 10, 2020

Dena Louise Carlson-Stumm passed away April 10, 2020 with her mother, husband, and sister by her side. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dena was born October 9, 1971 in Staples, MN to Dale and Barb (Allen) Carlson. She married the love of her life, Thomas Stumm, October 28, 2017. Dena enjoyed...

Apr 8, 2020

Rose Ann Keep (Thaler), 67, of Backus, passed away April 8, 2020, at her home.  She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dennis; children: Tammy (Steve) Cox of Chattanooga, TN, Shelly (Russ) Schaefer, and Troy (Tina) Keep, both of Backus; her eight grandchildren whom she adored: Bennett, Avery, Madison, Julia, Abby, Tanner, Alexa, and Carter; brothers: Steve (Kathy)...

Apr 6, 2020

Esther “Connie” Constance Kirchner-Carlson, 85, of Pequot Lakes, died Monday, April 6, 2020 at Shiloh Assisted Living in Pequot Lakes. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Connie was born June 30, 1934 in Lake Mills, IA to Conrad and Eva (Mattison) Honsey. She enjoyed sewing, horseback riding, decorating cakes, and Harley Davidson rides. Connie...

Apr 5, 2020

Steven Allan Gottsch, 61, of Brainerd, passed away at Essentia Health – St Joseph’s Medical Center on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Steven was born October 7, 1958 in Brainerd to Harry and Patsy (Fitch) Gottsch. He graduated from Brainerd High School. Steven worked for himself as a landscaper...

Apr 5, 2020

Harvey L. Kack, 85, of Crosslake, died Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the Birchview Gardens Assisted Living in Hackensack, MN.  A Memorial Service for Harvey is set for 11 AM, Friday, July 10 th at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Crosslake, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Harvey Lawrence Kack was born on August...

Apr 4, 2020

Betty J. Nelson was born on April 29, 1930 in Faribault, Minnesota to Jack and Justine Schueller.  She married Maynard Nelson on August 11, 1949 in St. Paul.  The couple was happily married for 70 years.  Together they raised three children; Betty taught her children by the example she set; how to live and love life.  She loved life...

Apr 3, 2020

Brenda Marie (Nelson) McKinney, 80, of Brainerd, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020 at home, surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Brenda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; she especially cherished time with her grandchildren. Brenda enjoyed gardening and was passionate about her flowers. She enjoyed camping...

Apr 2, 2020

Robert James Munholand of Crosslake, Minnesota, died on Thursday, April 2, 2020, after a brief illness. Bob was born July 7, 1926 in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Ezra and Mary (Logan) Munholand. He was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years Erna (Klosner), son James Thomas, brothers Harry and Eugene and sisters Lois Bishop and Martha Qualley....

Apr 1, 2020

Kay Saxvold, age 70, of Jenkins, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at her home.

Kay is survived by husband, Nolan Saxvold of Jenkins; son, Dean (Diana) Larson of Brooklyn Park; daughter, Connie (Robert) Mudgett of Pillager; grandchildren: Reed, Adam, Kaylee, Gracie; siblings: Fredrick (Joyce) Walton of Andover, MN, Mary...

Mar 30, 2020

Celebration of Life service for Jack Nelson will be Sunday, July 12th at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Timber's Restaurant and Event Center, Staples, MN. Both services will be the same, so choose only one to attend. Due to Covid there is limited seating, RSVP to Heidi is required. Masks are strongly encouraged.John "Jack" Nelson, 81, of Staples,...

Mar 29, 2020

Sharon Schirmer, 85, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at Edgewood Vista on March 29, 2020.

Sharon is survived by her son, Carl Jr. (Karen) Schirmer; three grandchildren, Emily Schirmer, Kelsey (Scott) Nelson, Ben (Angie) Heyen, and four great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Carl Schirmer Sr.; her...

Mar 28, 2020

Gertrude “Trudy” A. DeBow, age 93, died Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Mills Manor in New York Mills, MN.  Private family interment will take place in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.

Trudy was born in Verdon, SD on April 10, 1926 to August and Anna...

Mar 25, 2020

Peter V. Alexander, age 73, of Pine River, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society, Pine River. He was born in Pine River on February 8, 1947.

Pete is survived by his sons: Peter, Todd (Patty) and Christopher, all of Pine River; two brothers; one sister; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was...

Mar 25, 2020

Willis “Bill” Dewey Gruber passed away on March 25, 2020 at home after a long illness. At Bill's request, no services will be held.

Bill was born on September 9,1937 in Red Wing, MN to Dewey and Erna (Danielson) Gruber. Bill graduated from Watertown High School in 1955 and served as a Buck Sargent for 6 years...