Obituaries
Ava L. Starr
Jun 19, 2026
Ava Louise Starr
July 30, 2014 – June 19, 2026
Ava Louise Starr, 11, passed away Friday, June 19th, 2026. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Halvorson Taylor Funeral in Brainerd, Minnesota, with visitation one hour before the service.
Ava was a student at Forestview Middle School, where she was known for being...
Dennis Hyatt
Jun 18, 2026
Dennis Nels Hyatt “Papa”, age 53, of Brainerd, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2026, in Baxter, Minnesota. Dennis was born on August 4, 1972, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Don and Patricia (Pat) Hyatt.
Dennis was a hardworking man who took pride in everything he did. Throughout his career, he worked in hospitality, management, and construction,...
David Dunham
Jun 17, 2026
David John Dunham entered the arms of Jesus on June 17, 2026. He was born on May 6, 1947, in New Rockford ND to Frank and W. Jane Dunham. David attended Minot State University before enlisting in the US Army. He served as a Military Policeman in Germany from 1968 to 1971, where he met the love of his life,...
Paul Anderson
Jun 14, 2026
Paul S. Anderson, age 65, of Pine River, MN passed away at home Sunday June 14, 2026. Paul, son of Wilton and Delores Anderson, was born October 3, 1960, and grew up in Dassel, MN.
He graduated from Dassel-Cokato high school and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN for three years. Paul switched to and completed the Non-Destructive Testing program at...
Nancy Spilman
Jun 14, 2026
Nancy Lee Spilman, born October 19, 1955 to Edward and Verna (Chmielewski) Pierzinski in Little Falls, MN, passed away on June 14, 2026 at her home.
Nancy attended school in Pine Center, MN. She was a homemaker who lovingly raised three children. Nancy married Ben Spilman in Las Vegas in 1998 and they lived together in Motley, MN. Nancy enjoyed planting...
Thomas "Tom" Huesmann
Jun 14, 2026
Mr. Thomas Edward "Tom" Huesmann, age 83, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, in Crosslake, Minnesota. Born on June 12, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota, Tom lived a life filled with dedication to his family, work, and community.
Tom spent much of his career as a skilled machinist before transitioning to own and operate a small engine repair shop in...
JoAnn Johnson
Jun 14, 2026
JoAnn Johnson, age 85, passed peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior on June 14, 2026. She was born on November 13, 1940, and lived a life marked by faith, love, generosity, and devotion to family.
JoAnn loved life and cherished her family above all else. The love of her life was her husband of 67 years, Arnie. Together...
Gary Lee Hansen
Jun 13, 2026
Gary Lee Hansen, 79, of Brainerd, MN passed away unexpectedly, on June 13,2026.
Gary was born on Sept. 3, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, Sandy son, Dale and brother James.
Survived by his sons: Carl (Kelly);Chris (Marie), & Tony and daughter, Jodi (Chez). Further survived by grandchildren, great grandchildren, 4 siblings, other relatives and friends.
Gary served...
Pauline Anderson
Jun 11, 2026
Pauline Anderson, a lifelong resident of the Brainerd Lakes Area, passed away on June 11, 2026. Born on November 26, 1955, in Brainerd, MN, to Donald and Mavis (Swanberg) Wiggins, she graduated from Brainerd High School and later made her home in Baxter after a few short years in Arizona.
For over 40 years, she served her community as a dedicated...
Ronald Hustvedt Sr.
Jun 10, 2026
A most amazing father of two and wonderful grandfather of two. An impactful teacher and education leader. Woodworking extraordinaire and overall nice guy are all the ways that Ronald Clifford Hustvedt, Sr. has left his mark on our world over the past 83 years.
Known affectionately as “Husty,” a nickname given to him by students in his first year of teaching,...
Marcella Link
Jun 10, 2026
In Loving Memory of a Woman Who Never Met a Challenge, a Fish, or a Happy Hour She Didn’t Like
Marcella D. “Sally” Link, 91, of Brainerd, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Edgewood Vista on June 10, 2026. Sally finally ran out of fish to catch, opinions to share, drinks to pour, and people to straighten out.
Sally was born March 7,...
David Christensen
Jun 10, 2026
David Christensen, 90, of Brainerd, passed away on June 10, 2026.
Services will be held 5pm on Monday, June 15th at Community Church of Nazarene in Merrifield.
Angela Holbrook
Jun 10, 2026
Angela Holbrook, age 90, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. Angie was born on May 28, 1936, to Maynard and Grace (Gervino) LeDoux.
She spent many years working at a garment factory, as a home health care worker, an Avon representative and as a school cook. No matter where she was, Angie was...
Betty Pollock
Jun 10, 2026
Betty “Elizabeth” Mary Pollock, age 95, of Opole, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026.
Betty was born on November 14, 1930, in Bowlus, Minnesota, to Peter and Sophie (Kampa) Lampert. She attended St. Francis High School in Little Falls and graduated in 1949. She continued her education at St. Cloud State College, earning her teaching degree in 1951.
On Thanksgiving Day,...
Debra Hetz
Jun 9, 2026
Debra Hetz, age 74, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2026, at her home in Backus, MN, surrounded by family.
Debra is survived by her husband of 41 years, Mark Hetz, as well as many family and friends. She will be greatly missed.
Barbara Couillard
Jun 9, 2026
Barbara Couillard, 87, formerly of Breckenridge MN, passed away on June 9, 2026 at Edgewood in Brainerd, MN where she had lived for the last two years.
Barbara Jean DeVries was born on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939, in Breckenridge to Elmer and Inez (Keeney) DeVries of Wahpeton, ND. Barbara graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1957 as the salutatorian of...
Aheda Iannazzo
Jun 8, 2026
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Aheda Iannazzo, a woman of unwavering spirit and perseverance. Aheda was born on September 27, 1927, and transitioned out of this life on June 8, 2026. Through her journey of 98 years, she touched many lives having served as minister and spiritual leader for decades. She enjoyed yoga, traveling,...
Erik Anderson
Jun 7, 2026
It is with profound sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of Erik Joseph Anderson, 35, of Crosslake, MN on June 7, 2026. Erik was born in Ideal Corners, MN on January 14, 1991, to Peter and Julie (Ohlgren) Anderson, and spent his childhood there. He graduated from Pequot Lakes High School in 2009 and worked at Moonlight...
Eunice Koenker
Jun 7, 2026
Eunice Avenson McAllister Koenker passed away peacefully at her home in Backus, Minnesota, on June 7, 2026.
Eunice was born on August 15, 1928, in Hubbard, Minnesota, to Albertina and Egbert Avenson. She spent her childhood in the Dorset and Nevis areas, where she grew up surrounded by the values of faith, family, and hard work that would remain at the...
Gregory Witt
Jun 7, 2026
Gregory Allen Witt, born February 4, 1957, in Brainerd, MN, passed away on June 7, 2026, in Pine River, MN.
A gathering will be held at a later date.
