Obituaries
Diane Budke
Jun 1, 2025
Diane Marie Budke, 77, formerly from Motley, MN, passed away peacefully at home in Forney, Texas on June 1, 2025 and is now with her Lord and Savior.
Diane was born February 26, 1948, to Wilmar and Margaret (Peterson) Henrickson in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She married Wesley Budke on May 24, 1968. They moved all over the country due to job relocations,...
Yvonne Wilson
Jun 1, 2025
Yvonne “Bunny/Bunner” Marie (Mertens) Wilson, 88 years old, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Lakewood Care Center.
Bunny was born on October 16, 1936, in Wadena, Minnesota, to Edward and Lena (Robinson) Mertens. She graduated from Staples High School in 1954. On August 21, 1954, she married Walter Wilson, and together they made their home in the Staples...
Duane McMahon
May 31, 2025
Duane "Mickey" McMahon, born on January 8, 1929, to Howard and Laura McMahon in Minneapolis, MN, passed away on May 31, 2025, at his home in Pine River.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at The Log Church in Crosslake, MN, with a visitation the hour prior to the service.
LaVonne Strand
May 30, 2025
LaVonne Virginia Strand, 83, of Pine River, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025. She was born on May 17, 1942, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Charles and Jane (Fischer) Miller. A private service will be held for immediate family.
On February 29, 1964, she married the love of her life, Dale Strand, with whom she shared a wonderful journey of over...
Dwayne Atwater
May 29, 2025
Dwayne Daniel Atwater, born December 4, 1963, to Jerome and Gloria (Vawter) Atwater in Los Angeles, CA, passed away on May 29, 2025, in Pine River, MN.
Dwayne loved comic books, movies, especially Star Wars, cartoons, and spending time with his grandchildren.
Dwayne is survived by his children, Danielle Atwater and Demi (Rachel) Atwater; grandchildren, Rylee-Ann and Dominic; and son-in-law, Loren Rono.
Geraldine Johnson
May 28, 2025
Geraldine Johnson, 94, of Merrifield, passed away on May 28, 2025. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11am on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake with a visitation one hour prior.
Geraldine was born on January 20, 1931, to Gerald and Theresa (Bluett) McCarthy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Holy Angels High School...
Steven Weagel
May 28, 2025
Steven Ross Weagel, 78, of Pequot Lakes, MN, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2025. An artist, teacher, mentor, and craftsman, Steven was a pioneering figure in the American studio glass movement and a lifelong advocate for creativity, education, and community.
Born in Watertown, SD, to Keith and Frances Weagel, Steven was raised in Lake Crystal, MN, and graduated from Lake...
JoAnn Tollefsrud
May 26, 2025
JoAnn Tollefsrud, born November 15, 1952, to Charles and Geraldine (Thiers) Tollefsrud, passed away on May 26, 2025, in Pine River, MN.
Carolyn Kucera
May 26, 2025
Carolyn Kucera, 85, of Brainerd, passed away on May 26, 2025. Carolyn was born on January 11, 1940, in Hallock, MN to Olaf and Nora (Nordin) Peterson. She married Thomas (Tom) Kucera on February 26, 1965. Carolyn is survived by her children, Lynne (Mike) Blanch, Jean Kucera, Jodi (Jim) Gerlich; grandchildren Justin (Alex) Blanch, Kristin (Cam) Swanson, Matthew Blanch, Ryan...
Dianne Jackson
May 26, 2025
Dianne Jackson, 81, formerly of Brainerd, MN passed away to be with Jesus on Monday, May 26, 2025 at Grand Arbor Assisted Living in Alexandria, MN.
Dianne (Morgan) Jackson was born April 15, 1944 in Brainerd, MN. She grew up on the Wise Road doing lots of hard work and gardening. She graduated from Washington High School in Brainerd in 1962.
She...
Robert Clifton Rogers
May 25, 2025
Robert Clifton Rogers, age 62, of Pillager, Minnesota, has passed peacefully in his sleep on May 25, 2025. Born on January 20, 1963, in Yakima, Washington, Robert embraced life with a warmth and enthusiasm that touched everyone he knew. After moving to Minnesota 20 years ago, he created a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Robert was...
Rodney Simon
May 25, 2025
Rodney Simon, age 59, passed away peacefully at his home on May 25, 2025. He was born on August 27, 1965, in Princeton, Minnesota, to JoAnne Fay Brindamour and Joseph Gessell.
Rodney worked for many years in the tree service industry, where he became well known for his dedication and strong work ethic. He also ran his own stump grinding business,...
John Zilka
May 24, 2025
John Fredrick Zilka, born January 6, 1949, passed away on May 24, 2025.
John was a man who loved to fish.
No service will be held.
A special thank you to Moments Hospice.
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...
