Obituaries
Robert Shea
Feb 14, 2026
Robert “Bob” Shea passed away peacefully after a short illness on February 14, 2026.
Bob was born in Wadena, Minnesota, to his parents, Beverly and Mathew Shea on May 15, 1961. He graduated from Staples High School with the Class of 1979. Bob was a man with an old soul, known for his artistic nature and his unique ability to turn...
Lois Erickson
Feb 12, 2026
Lois Elaine (Phillips) Erickson, 97, of Brainerd, Minnesota, passed away on February 12, 2026, in Baxter, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life will take place from 9:00 am to 1pm on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter, MN. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.
Lois was born on August 11,...
Sandra Trana
Feb 11, 2026
Sandra “Sandy” Ann Trana age 80, passed away peacefully on February 11th, 2026, at Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples, surrounded by her family.
She was born on March 6, 1945, to Orin and Emma Christensen in Minneapolis, Mn.
Sandy was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose life was defined by quiet strength and unwavering love for...
Lucille E. Knopik
Feb 9, 2026
Lucille Elizabeth Knopik, age 94, of Pillager, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, in Pierz, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday February 23, 2026 at 11:00am at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. A visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place in the...
Darrell O. Kempfert
Feb 8, 2026
Darrell Kempfert was promoted into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Yeshua haMoshiach / Jesus Christ on February 8, 2026, at home with his wife Karla by his side following a valiant battle with leukemia and cardiac disease.
Darrell Ortwin Kempfert was born on July 10, 1945, to Merrill and Caroline (Seemann) Kempfert in a quaint cottage on Shady...
Sandra Smith
Feb 8, 2026
Sandra Louise Smith, age 79, of Staples, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026.
Sandy was an amazing woman whose life was defined by her caring heart and the many ways she showed up for the people around her. She had a special gift for sewing and poured love into every stitch—whether quilting with dear friends, creating for her family,...
Janice Gillmor
Feb 7, 2026
Janice Gillmor, age 82, passed away peacefully at her home on February 7, 2026, in Nisswa, Minnesota.
Janice was born on June 7, 1943, in Cloquet, Minnesota, to her loving parents, who preceded her in death. She carried a strong work ethic and deep sense of purpose throughout her life, especially in her career, which meant so much to her. Janice...
Christina Quinn
Feb 7, 2026
Christina Quinn passed away peacefully at age 59 after an 8 year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Christina was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. Of all these roles mother and wife were what meant most to her. Christina was a champion equestrian in her childhood and adolescence, high school athlete, hair stylist, flight attendant, world traveler, loving...
Leslie 'Les' McClelland
Feb 3, 2026
Leslie “Les” Ray McClelland was born on August 20, 1946, in Minneapolis and passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, at the age of 79, following a courageous journey with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Les was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy E. (Frear) and Reginold E. McClelland.
He is lovingly survived by his wife, Dianne K. (Zeidler) McClelland; his children,...
David DeValk
Feb 2, 2026
David Cory DeValk, age 75, of Breezy Point, passed away on February 2, 2026.
David spent much of his life fishing, hunting, boating, working on his vehicles, and enjoying time with friends, but above all he was devoted to and deeply cherished his children and family. He was a loving and dedicated father, brother, grandpa, uncle, and friend who will be...
Robert Long
Feb 1, 2026
Robert C Long (Bob) died Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Edgewood Baxter Memory Care. He was 83.
Bob was born November 13, 1942, in Hennepin County in the city of Minneapolis, St Mary's Hospital to Robert Christian Long Senior and Mae Myra Price Long. He attended Usareut American Elementary School in Heidelberg, Germany and completed his high school education also in...
Carol Moser
Feb 1, 2026
Carol Jean Moser, age 84, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday May 29, 2026 at 11:00am at Faith Lutheran Church in Swanberg with Pastor Dave Peterson officiating. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the start of the service at the church. Lunch will be served following the...
Steve Parker
Jan 31, 2026
Steve W. Parker, 78, of Breezy Point, MN passed away on January 31, 2026, in Pine River, MN comforted by unwavering support from his beloved wife of 58 years Penni (Ward) Parker. Anyone who knew Steve can validate his resilience, strength, and tenacity throughout his life and especially over these past few years of difficult health challenges.
Steve was born November...
Betty Johnson
Jan 31, 2026
Betty Alice Fritze Johnson (nee Epland) of Hackensack, MN, passed away peacefully at Birchview Gardens, Walker, MN, on January 31, 2026, after 87 blessed years. Betty was born on June 8, 1938, to Berger and Avis Epland in Scarville, IA. She was baptized and confirmed in the Emmons Lutheran Church. She graduated from Emmons High School in 1956.
A friend introduced...
John Wayne Kodiak
Jan 30, 2026
John Wayne Kodiak was born 9/23/61 to Walt and Alicia (Alto) Mantor-Kodiak in Santa Clara, CA. John grew up in Homer, Alaska. John lived a full life of adventure. He was in the US Arny and then he commercial fished/crabbed on his father’s vessel, with his brothers. He also was a heavy equipment operator in the Pruhdoe Bay Alaska. He...
Susan Strusinski
Jan 30, 2026
Susan Alice Strusinski age 83 of Backus, Minnesota was born in Minneapolis to Walter and Alice Helin on March 5, 1942, and passed away on January 30, 2026.
Susan’s love for the Lord knew no bounds. She spent her life praising Him and sharing His love with others. She also loved to learn, was an avid reader and held several degrees...
Brent Campbell
Jan 29, 2026
Brent Wilmot Campbell
September 01, 1965 – January 29, 2026
Brent Campbell, 60, was a man of devotion, patience, generosity, thoughtfulness, and wit. Always willing to give a helping hand, share a smile, or crack a joke; he lived for his family and friends.
On Jan. 13, 2026, Brent was diagnosed with an aggressive stomach cancer. Two days later, he suffered a massive...
Nancy Beard
Jan 28, 2026
Nancy Jane Beard, age 73, passed away on January 28, 2026. She was born on April 1, 1952, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Roland and Lorraine (Norman) Flansburg.
Nancy had a generous heart and a deep love for her community. She volunteered her time at the Salvation Army and the Senior Center, always willing to help wherever she was needed. Nancy worked...
Eileen Engebretson
Jan 28, 2026
Eileen Faye Engebretson, age 89, of Brainerd, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2026, at her home in Brainerd.
Eileen was born on May 27, 1936, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Lee and Ann (Carter) Austin. She spent her life rooted in the community she loved and later married Robert “Bob” Engebretson, with whom she shared many years of marriage, love,...
Josh Green
Jan 27, 2026
Joshua John Green, age 44, of Nisswa, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on January 27, 2026.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Nisswa, Minnesota. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will take place at Pelican Woods Cemetery in...
