Obituaries

Clarence Hewitt, Jr.
May 28, 2011
Clarence Victor Hewitt, Jr., age 79, of Pequot Lakes, passed away on May 28, 2011, at Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Clarence is survived by his wife, Vera; sons: Alan Hewitt of Baxter, Roger Hewitt of Pequot Lakes; daughters: Susan Hewitt of White Bear Lake, Cathryn Vedoy of White Bear Lake; six grandchildren, one great grandchild;...
Ervin Lapinoja
May 27, 2011
Ervin Isaac Lapinoja, age 73, of Pine River, passed away May 27, 2011, after a long battle with cancer. Ervin was born in Wadena County on February 14, 1938, to August and Ina (Hendrickson) Lapinoja. He lived in the Nimrod area until graduating from Sebeka High School in 1956. He moved to Pine River in the mid sixties and...
Suzy Baratto
May 26, 2011
Suzy Baratto, 31, of Crosslake, died Thursday May 26, 2011. Suzy was born on September 16, 1979 in Crosby, the daughter of Jerry and Lauri (Punkka) Baratto. She graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 1998. She attended the University of Wisconsin - Stout. She worked in publishing and advertising and was pursuing a degree in architecture. She enjoyed...
Samuel Sorenson
May 25, 2011
Samuel "Wayne" Sorenson, age 90, of Staples, passed away at his home, on Tuesday, May 24. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday, June 1st, at 11:00 AM, at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 5-7, at the Brenny Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Internment will be...
Dale Fogle
May 25, 2011
Dale Fogle, 85, of Crosslake, died Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at his home. Services will be at 10 AM, Saturday, May 28 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake with Pastor Fred Cressman officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment with military honors from American Legion, Crosslake Post will take place at...
Delbert Pinta
May 25, 2011
Del Pinta, 86, of Baxter, died at his home on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. A Graveside Services and Interment is planned for 11:00 AM, Wednesday, June 1 at the Baxter City Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Brainerd American Legion, Post 255 and the Brainerd VFW, Post 1647. Del was born March 13, 1925 in Corwith, IA,...
Mary Sheley
May 24, 2011
Mary Sheley, age 68, of Backus, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at her home. She was born April 4, 1943, in Streator, IL, to Joseph and Leona Tallyn. She graduated from Benson High School in Benson, IL. Mary moved to Backus in 1979 and worked in the banking business for over 33 years, with the last 21 years...
Elizabeth Clodfelder
May 24, 2011
Elizabeth "Liz" Clodfelder, age 66, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at her home. She was born February 2, 1945, in Brainerd, to Archie and Elene Shamp. Liz graduated from Pine River High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Lynn Clodfelder on August 8, 1964. Liz loved living on Lake Ada and having her family...

Kenneth Rabenberg
May 17, 2011
Kenneth Hans Rabenberg, 84, of Merrifield, died Tuesday May 17th at home while working in his garden. A memorial service will be held 9:30 AM, Friday, May 20, 2011 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baxter, MN, followed by interment with military honors at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 20, 2011. Family...

William Mitton
May 17, 2011
William E. "Al" Mitton, age 92 of Hackensack, died if natural causes on Tues., May 17, 2011 at the Golden Living Center in Walker, MN. Al was born March 19, 1919 in Staples, to William and Eunice Mitton. After serving in the U.S. Army during WWII in the Pacific arena, he graduated from the U. of M. with an...
Sandra Beckenbach
May 17, 2011
Sandra Beckenbach, age 66, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, May 17, 2011. She was born February 1, 1945, in Seattle, Washington. Sandra is survived by sons, James Erdman, Russell Erdman; daughter, Sheri Libera; brothers, Richard and Warren; grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents. Services will be 11 am Monday, May 23 at...
Darwin Simons
May 16, 2011
Darwin A. Simons, 64, of Pillager died at his home on Monday, May 16, 2011. Services for Darwin will be held at the First Lutheran Church in Pillager with Pastor McNeal officiating on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 1:00 PM. Visitation will be on Friday, May 20, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Interment at...
Bernice Knutson
May 16, 2011
Bernice Norma Knutson, age 89, lifelong resident of Pequot Lakes, passed away May 16, 2011, at Camilia Rose Care Center, Coon Rapids. She was born February 25, 1922 in Ideal Township, rural Pequot Lakes. Bernice is survived by daughter, Karen Olson (Dennis) of Anoka; son, Roger Knutson (Deb) of Michigan; five grandchildren: Chris, Kyle, Kirk, Amy, Bethany; seven great...

Annabelle Leek
May 16, 2011
Annabelle Marie (Johnson) Leek, age 84, formerly of Pine River, passed away Monday, May 16, 2011, at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, MN. She left this world peacefully with her children at her side. Annabelle was born Nov. 26, 1926, in Maple Township, to John and Bessie Johnson. She spent most of her life in the Pine River area. Annabelle...
Vera Ford
May 15, 2011
Vera May Ford, 92, of Nisswa, died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Good Samaritan Village - Bethany in Brainerd. A Memorial Service for Vera will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, May 23, 2011 at Good Samaritan Village - Bethany Chapel. Family and friends are invited to gather one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrutsted to Brenny...
Clayton Christopherson
May 15, 2011
Clayton Allen Christopherson, 85, of Baxter, died Sunday, May 15, 2011 at Good Samaritan Village - Bethany in Brainerd. Graveside services for Clayton will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley with a memorial service held at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter at 12:00 PM after...

Elizabeth Carlson
May 14, 2011
Elizabeth A. Carlson, of Baxter, MN, passed away on May 14, 2011. Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter. According to her wishes, no services will be held. She is survived by her only daughter, Stacy Carlson, of Baxter, MN.
Lawrence Sauer Sr.
May 14, 2011
Lawrence Benedict Sauer Sr., 90, of Staples died Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples. Services for Lawrence will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 18, from 5:00-7:00PM at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples with a prayer...
Mildred Wilhelmson
May 14, 2011
Mildred Marie Wilhelmson, 96, Columbia Heights, died Saturday, May 14, 2011 at The Lighthouse Assisted Living of Columbia Heights. A Mass of Resurrection will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, May 18 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples, MN. Family and friends are invited to gather at the church beginning at 11:00 AM on Wednesday. Interment will follow...
Delores Pribbenow
May 11, 2011
Delores Sarah Pribbenow, 93 years old, of Staples, Minnesota died Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at the Lakewood Health System Care Center. Delores was born November 7, 1917 to Arthur and Mary Brown in Sylvan Township. She grew up and went to school in the Pillager area. On April 11, 1938 she married Roy Larson in Fargo, ND. Delores spent...