Obituaries
Adrieanne Alice Erdman
Apr 12, 2026
Adrieanne Erdman, 91, passed away on April 12, 2026. She was born on April 28, 1934, in Foley, Minnesota, to Edward and Agnes (Kampa) Kosloski.
Adrieanne was united in marriage to James Erdman on July 9, 1955. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, and community. She was employed as a meat wrapper at the Community Market, where...
Richard 'Dick' Phillips
Jan 10, 2026
Richard (Dick) Phillips, 85, of Crosslake, MN, passed away on January 10, 2026, in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Services will be held on May 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake where Dick was a long-time parishioner. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to Mass, with interment at the Pinewood Cemetery in...
Eugene Platzer
Apr 18, 2026
Eugene Platzer, 85, of Motley, passed away on April 18, 2026.
Visitation will be from 5pm-7pm on Friday, May 1, 2026 at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples. Services will be held 11am on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples, with a visitation one hour prior.
Full obituary to follow.
Percy Dubbin
Apr 17, 2026
Born in Sauk rapids, MN on September 27, 1929, to Richard Dubbin and Nellie (Rosekranz)
Percy was the last of 9 children to pass. He passed on April 17, 2026.
Husband to Lavina (Britz) for 66 years. Father to LuAnn (John), Cheryl, Keith, Dale, Brent (Delayne), and Kathy (Todd). Grandpa to 10 and Great Grandpa to10 (soon to be 11).
Dad had an...
Deanna Holst
Apr 17, 2026
Deanna Kay Holst passed away in her home on April 17, 2026. She went to be with the Lord & Savior’s loving arms. She believed in God and has three children, Nancy Holst, Dale Holst, Don Austin. She was a strong, determined woman and will be forever missed, and is at peace.
Deanna suffered for many years with OCD, emphysema, and...
LaVerne Schiller
Apr 17, 2026
LaVerne Mary Schiller passed away on April 17, 2026 in Aitkin, MN. LaVerne was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, who took every chance to spoil her grandchildren. LaVerne was born on June 6, 1950 in Little Falls, MN to Leo & Gertrude Fussy. She was raised on the family farm, with her sister Leonette, in Bowlus, MN. Upon graduating...
John Grossbach
Apr 17, 2026
John Verne Grossbach, age 80, of Baxter, MN, passed away peacefully on April 17 due to complications with Alzheimer’s.
Born on November 3, 1945 in Mazeppa, MN, John graduated from Mazeppa High School in 1963. After serving his country with courage and dedication as a Marine in the Vietnam War, John returned to Minnesota and found his calling in forestry, attending...
Joseph Dotty
Apr 15, 2026
Joseph Bartholomew Dotty, age 84, passed away on April 15, 2026. He was a resident of Mesa, Arizona, and Breezy Point, Minnesota.
Joe was the oldest of nine siblings and was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph P. Dotty and Mary Faine (Connolly) Dotty; his brother, Paul Dotty; and his sisters, Monica Dotty, Pamala Attia, and Carla Bristow.
He is survived...
Mary Foster
Apr 14, 2026
Mary Jean Foster (Mackey) age 91 of Baxter, MN went to be with the Lord on April 14, 2026. She was born on December 5, 1934, in St. Paul, Minnesota to William and Verna Mackey. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 62 years, George C. Foster Jr., her sister Roseanne and her son Michael. She...
Lois Nystrom
Apr 13, 2026
Lois Jean (Meyer) Nystrom, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, nurse, volunteer, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2026, at the age of 95.
Born on August 19, 1930, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Elmer and Mabel Meyer. Lois was a woman of deep compassion, remarkable energy, and unwavering dedication to others. She was the first in her family to pursue extended...
Norman Miller
Apr 10, 2026
Norman Archie Miller, age 85, of Baxter, MN, formerly of Minneapolis, Elk River, and Bloomington, MN, passed away on April 10 at Northern Lakes Senior Center in Baxter.
Norman was born on October 13, 1940, in Minneapolis, MN to Archie and Gertrude Miller. He was the oldest of two children and graduated from high school in Richfield, MN. Norman married his...
Irene Gruber
Apr 9, 2026
Irene E. Gruber, 94, of Pierz, MN, passed away on April 9, 2026, at Quiet Oaks the Hospice house of St. Cloud, MN.
Irene E. Gruber, 94, of Pierz, MN, passed away on April 9, 2026, at Quiet Oaks the Hospice house of St. Cloud, MN.
Irene was born on December 7, 1931, to Arnold and Ester (Winterlin) Lemke in the Farming...
David Wickham
Apr 9, 2026
David (Wally) Allen Wickham was born on August 22, 1964, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Milford and Lila (Fuhrman) Wickham. From an early age, Dave’s love for the outdoors was evident—family and friends often joked he was born with a fishing rod in one hand and a hunting rifle in the other. In 1976, the Wickham family relocated to Staples, where...
Brenda Lee
Apr 6, 2026
Brenda Lee, age 54, passed away suddenly at her home on Monday, April 6th, due to heart complications.
Brenda was the eldest of three children born to Donna (Fitch) and Jerry Benson. She was preceded in life by her siblings, Jerry Jr. and Matt. She is lovingly remembered by her two nieces, Zoey and Sadey.
She was united in marriage to Glen...
Geraldine Ackland
Apr 4, 2026
Geraldine Ackland (Jerry), age 92, of Baxter, MN, formerly of Austin, MN, passed away on April 4th, 2026.
She moved to Baxter 3 years ago to be closer to her daughter and lived in the Edgewood Memory Center.
Jerry was born in Richardson Township, MN, to Edgar and Anna Regina (Virginia) Baumgartner. She is preceded in death by her grandson, her two...
James Reece Jr.
Apr 3, 2026
James Garland Reece Jr., 61, of Motley, passed away on April 3, 2026. He was born on March 1, 1965, in Corbin, Kentucky, to James and Nelda (Richmond) Reece.
James worked as a spray foam technician, a job he took pride in through his hard work and dedication. Outside of work, enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, woodworking, and spending time working on...
David Dickinson
Apr 2, 2026
David Dickinson passed away on April 2, 2026 in Brainerd, Mn. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on September. 25, 1935. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Iowa State, he enlisted in the Navy. He achieved high honors, becoming a lieutenant. He furthered his education to become a Psychology professor. David was well respected in the Austin, Mn community for...
Mark Whiting
Apr 2, 2026
Mark Harvey Whiting was born in Mankato MN on May 20th, 1955 to Bob and Darlene Whiting. He grew up in Winnebago MN and after graduating high school went on to Winona State University. From there he moved to the Mpls./St.Paul suburbs where he started his career in sales by managing Farmland Coops in New Brighton and Isanti. He spent...
Carol Penfield
Apr 2, 2026
Celebrating the Life of Carol Jean Penfield
March 14, 1941 – April 2, 2026
Staples, MN — Carol Jean Penfield, age 85, passed away at her home in Staples on April 2, 2026. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, quiet service, and a life beautifully and faithfully lived.
Carol was born on March 14, 1941, in Steele, North Dakota, and was raised...
Timothy Fread
Apr 1, 2026
Timothy Paul Fread
October 19, 1946 – April 1, 2026
Timothy Paul Fread, 79, of Long Prairie, MN, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, with his loving brother by his side.
He was born in Tacoma, Washington, to Martin and Dorothy Fread. At the time of Tim’s birth, complications caused his hearing loss and cerebral palsy. The family moved many time until...
