Obituaries
David Wayt
Feb 22, 2026
David Barnt Wayt, 77, of Baxter, passed away on February 22, 2026. Interment will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date.
Full obituary will follow.
Steven Malecka
Feb 21, 2026
Steven Douglas Malecka, born on February 24, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN, passed away on February 21, 2026.
Steven graduated from Bloomington-Lincoln Sr. High School in 1971 and went on to attend school as a plumbing apprentice from 1978-1982. Steven would later earn the title of Master Plumber in 2004, of which he was very proud. He later retired to Pine River,...
Nancy Macnamara
Feb 18, 2026
Nancy Marie Macnamara passed from this life on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at the age of 96 ½. She was born to Irving and Ruth Van Stone on August 30th, 1929, in Washburn Wisconsin. She was joined by sister, Mary Kay, two years later.
The family owned and operated their farm as Town’s End Dairy. Nancy attended Washburn High School...
Daniel Trout
Feb 15, 2026
Daniel Thomas “Danny” Trout went to heaven on his birthday, February 15, 2026.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday February 19, 2026 at 10:00am at the Heritage Church in Baxter.
Daniel was born on February 15, 1960, in Staples, Minnesota, to Belma (Ward) and Neil Trout. From an early age, he was known for his warm personality and strong sense...
Janice Pietig
Feb 14, 2026
Janice Marie Pietig, age 88, of Lakeshore, Minnesota, entered into heaven peacefully on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
A gathering of family and friends will be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, Nisswa, MN 56468, on Friday, May 1st, 2026, beginning at 10:00a.m., followed by a memorial service at...
Joyce Lynn Walker
Feb 14, 2026
Joyce Lynn Walker, (AKA, Jozzy, The Jozz, Jozz, Joceyln, J-Lo) age 73 of South St. Paul, MN, passed away 2/14/2026 on her time and her terms with her family and fur babies, Winkie and Paddy, who never left her side during her battle with colon cancer.
Joyce was raised in South St. Paul and spent her teen years tormenting her little...
William Wicht
Feb 14, 2026
William Wallace Wicht, age 77, passed away peacefully on Saturday afternoon, February 14, 2026, at his home in West Union surrounded by family. Bill was born at the Bertha Hospital on February 6, 1949 to John and Evelyn (Martin) Wicht, the youngest of seven children. He grew up on the family farm in Aldrich and was a 1967 graduate of...
Joseph Hampl III
Feb 14, 2026
Mr. Joseph John Hampl, Jr., age 82, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Crosslake, Minnesota. Born on December 7, 1943, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Joe lived a life marked by service, leadership, and unwavering devotion to his family and community.
Joe graduated from Owatonna High School and went on to attend the University of Minnesota, where he participated in the...
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.
Carol grew up in Minneapolis and was the daughter of Charles and Theresa McCausland. She later married Keith Moser and together they raised three children: Holly Cadwell, Brian Moser (Susan), and Heidi Landborg (Jeff). Carol was also blessed with eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death...
