Obituaries
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...
Carol A Johnson
Aug 1, 2025
Carol Andrea Johnson, age 94, of Motley, Minnesota, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 1, 2025.
Carol loved the Lord deeply and lived her life in faithful service to Him. She raised three children in a joyful, Christ-centered home, supported her husband Wes’s gospel ministry for decades, held a variety of jobs with diligence...
Charles Swanson
Jul 30, 2025
Charles “Chuck” Jeffrey Swanson, age 74, of Sebeka, Minnesota, passed away at his home on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Chuck was born on December 4, 1950, to Marlin “Swede” and Ileane (Hanson) Swanson in Brainerd, Minnesota. He attended school in Brainerd and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1968. After high school, he proudly served in the First Battalion 194th...
Mark Kuschke
Jul 30, 2025
Mark Allen Kuschke, of Nisswa, passed away at home on July 30, 2025, at the age of 71. A lifelong adventurer with an unmatched competitive spirit, Mark lived his life with passion, purpose, and love for the outdoors.
Born in Brainerd on January 19, 1954, to Rodney and Margaret (Simenstad) Kuschke. Mark developed a deep connection with nature at an early...
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...
Marlene Minke
Jul 28, 2025
Marlene V. Minke, age 94, of Merrifield, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Northern Lakes Senior Living Memory Care.
A Celebration of Life service will be held in Merrifield in July 2026 at the former Family Fun Resort.
Marlene Virginia Knapp was born on September 15, 1930, in Swatara, Minnesota, to John and Josephine (Stauder) Knapp. She graduated from...
Stormy Knight
Jul 28, 2025
Stormy Knight, age 65, passed away on July 27th, 2025, late into the night surrounded by and in the arms of her family in their home in Brainerd, Minnesota. Stormy passed after a long, mettlesome fight with cancer, and while this fight was taxing, her faith, love and spirit stayed strong and never diminished.
Stormy was born on May 26th, 1960,...
Barbara Kostial
Jul 27, 2025
Barb Kostial passed away peacefully on July 27, 2025 at her home in Longville, MN with her two sons by her side.
Barbara Ann Kostial was born in Shenandoah, PA on January 12, 1945, to Robert D. and Anne M. Bohn. Her father was fighting with the USMC on the Japanese front when she was born, and in the years following...
Beverly Fussy
Jul 27, 2025
Beverly Fussy, age 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on July 27, 2025, in Crosslake, MN.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. A lunch will be served following Mass....
George Gonnion
Jul 27, 2025
George Lee Gonnion, age 87, of Pillager, MN, passed away peacefully at home on July 27, 2025, surrounded by family and his beloved dog, Sophie. A devoted husband, loving dad, respected teacher, and dedicated coach, he lived a life rooted in hard work, kindness and unwavering love.
Born May 9, 1938 in Billings, MT George spent his childhood with his half-brother...
Michael Stuard
Jul 27, 2025
Michael Stuard, 78, of Deerwood, passed away on July 27, 2025. Interment will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.
Glenda Edgeton
Jul 26, 2025
Glenda Jeanne Edgeton, 82, of Eagan, Minnesota, died peacefully surrounded by her beloved family in Burnsville, Minnesota, on July 26, 2025.
She was born in Jenkins, Minnesota, in 1943 to Glenn Risnes and Gertrude “Sis” Risnes (Kline). Glenda was raised in Pine River, Minnesota, by her mother, along with her two brothers, Phil and Dan. Like her mother, Glenda believed that...
Bonnie Flansburg
Jul 25, 2025
Bonnie Flansburg, age 62, passed away on July 25, 2025, at her home in Motley. Born on October 12, 1962, in Wadena, Minnesota, Bonnie lived a life marked by compassion, dedication, and unwavering faith.
After completing grade school, Bonnie pursued her calling in healthcare by earning her degree in nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Her career was spent caring...
Mary Ann Stenquist
Jul 24, 2025
Mary Ann Stenquist, born on December 31, 1946, in Vallejo, CA, to Wallace and Carol (Garster) Orsund, passed away on July 24, 2025, at her home in Backus, MN.
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...
