Obituaries
Roger Merl Hansen
May 23, 2025
Roger Merl Hansen of Pillager MN, passed away suddenly on May 23, 2025 at the age of 69. Formerly of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. Roger was born on September 20th, 1955 and was a proud 1973 graduate of Osseo High School. Roger went on to a rewarding career in machine maintenance and facilities management, as well as serving as a volunteer...
Roger Steele
May 23, 2025
Roger Steele, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully after ongoing health issues on May 23, 2025, at the age of 87.
Born in Minneapolis on July 24, 1937, to Leslie and Margaret Steele, Roger lived a life filled with laughter and witty humor, unwavering work ethic, and a passion for being outdoors. He graduated Columbia Heights...
James Swift
May 22, 2025
James (Jim) Lee Swift was born on July 4, 1953, to Lester and Mardelle (Isle) Swift in Miles City, Montana.
He graduated from Brainerd Senior High School in 1972 and began working at Potlatch Paper Company in 1978. Jim dedicated 24 years to Potlatch before retiring.
A skilled craftsman, Jim loved working with his hands—whether woodworking, spending time outdoors, or tinkering for...
Carol Bertsch
May 21, 2025
Carol Bertsch, 88, of Brainerd, MN, passed away on Wednesday May 21, 2025 in Duluth, MN. Private family services will be held.
Carol is survived by her daughter Becky (Mark) Eckelman and her son Steven Bertsch.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
Anita Groat
May 19, 2025
Anita Louise Groat (Howes), of Merrifield, MN, passed peacefully on to eternal life on May 19, 2025, at age 82.
She was born in Round Lake, IL, to June and Orville Howes. She met the love of her life, Patrick (deceased), who married and had two sons, Shawn, and Robert (deceased). They vacationed in Minnesota before relocating here. Together they enjoyed...
Blake Hendrickson
May 19, 2025
Blake Hendrickson, 74, of Merrifield, MN passed away on May 19, 2025 in Brainerd.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
Donald Charpentier
May 18, 2025
Donald “Don” John Charpentier, passed away peacefully at his residence in Longville, Minnesota at the age of 83 after a life filled with dedication to family, community, and the outdoors.
Born on March 4, 1942, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Don was the beloved son of Walter and Catherine Charpentier. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol (Selby), and together they shared...
Fred Keller
May 18, 2025
Fred William Keller, 95, of Backus, MN, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2025, with his family by his side.
Born on September 29, 1929, in Mankato, MN, to Walter Keller and Adelaide (Payne) Keller, Fred was the youngest of four siblings, growing up as the baby brother to sisters, Ida, Margaret, and Mary, in Mapleton, MN.
Fred’s early years were spent...
Karen Yundak
May 17, 2025
Karen Marie Yundak, 84, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at her home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Karen is survived by her daughters Stephanie Yundak Castellanos (Cesar) and Stacy Yundak, as well as her grandchildren Xanthea, Jaime and Braden. She is also survived by her sister Judy Anderson (Neil) and her nephew Brian Anderson.
Karen...
David Hallbeck
May 17, 2025
David Rodney Hallbeck, 76, of Pequot Lakes, passed away on May 17, 2025.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Pequot Lakes.
Donna Dally
May 15, 2025
Donna Mae Dally (Ruckdaschel) passed away in the early morning of May 15, 2025, at Bethany Good Samaritan at the age of 86.
Donna was born on April 10, 1939, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, to Harley Earl and Ruby Mae (Wasink) Ruckdaschel. She went to Pillager school from kindergarten to 8th grade. She married Duane Dally – who passed...
Kim Vanvickle
May 15, 2025
Kim VanVickle, 72, of Motley, passed away on May 15, 2025.
Kim was born on July 25, 1952. After graduating from high school, he proudly served as a fuel specialist with the Airforce. Kim enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping and was a dirt track race car driver.
Kim is survived by his spouse Diane VanVickle; children, Eric Vanwells, Robert Vanvickle, Joseph Vanvickle, Kristie...
Michael "Corky" Lynch
May 14, 2025
Michael Albert Lynch, better known as “Corky,” by all who loved him, was born to Mary Jane (Knutson) and Michael Dennis Lynch on February 1, 1964, in northern Minnesota.
Corky spent his early years growing up with his family. He contracted an illness at the age of 5 which resulted in an acquired disability. He lost his ability to move his...
Cheryl Mueller
May 14, 2025
Cheryl E. Mueller, 77, of Brainerd, MN passed away on May 14, 2025 in Brainerd.
Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
Don Cate
May 14, 2025
Don Lee Cate, 79, of Minnesota, passed away on May 14, 2025. Born on August 3, 1945, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Leon and Evelyn (Peterson) Cate, Don led a life marked by service, curiosity, and deep devotion to his family.
A proud veteran, Don served in the United States Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis from 1963 to 1966. Following his...
Jonathan Decker
May 13, 2025
Jonathan Decker, 49, of Motley, MN passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family at home in Motley. Funeral Services will be held on Friday May 16, 2025 at 11:00am at Motley Free Methodist Church. There will be a visitation held on Thursday May 15, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the church, and also one hour prior to the start...
Bruce Glasrud
May 11, 2025
Bruce B. Glasrud, 75, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2025 in Baxter, Minnesota. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on September 23,1949. Bruce grew up in St. Cloud and graduated from Technical High School in 1968. He was a Staff Sargent in the United State Air Force where he served as a medic from 1969-73. Upon leaving the military,...
Barbara Gallagher
May 11, 2025
Barbara Jean Gallagher, 83, of Little Falls, passed away on May 11, 2025.
Barbara was born on November 19, 1941, to Sherman and Betty (Wilkens) Adair in Brainerd, MN.
She enjoyed working in the garden, flowers, watching soap operas and the show Let’s Make A Deal.
She is survived by her children, Curt (Trish) Gallagher, Joel Gallagher, Jeff Gallagher, Doug Gallagher, Lynn (Chris)...
Keylah Kendrick
May 9, 2025
Keylah Kendrick, born April 25, 2007, passed away on May 9, 2025.
Keylah loved music, speech, and choir. She had a full ride scholarship to Grand Canyon University in Arizona. Keylah had plans to use her musical talent to become a music teacher.
Keylah is survived by her parents, Sara and Randy Callahan; siblings, Jacob Volcke, Kahlik Kendrick, Corbin Callahan, Mason Callahan,...
