Obituaries

Jan 4, 2018

Mary Jane Davis, 91, died Thursday, January 4, 2018, in Ely, Minnesota. Mary was born September 29, 1926 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Bill and Mayme Clendening. She graduated from Carlton High School in 1944 and actively participated in several music groups. She was a member of the Paine Memorial Presbyterian Church. Mary graduated from the College of...

Jan 1, 2018

Vida Marie (Klair) Swor, 90, of Virginia, MN passed away peacefully on Monday, January 1st, 2018. Vida was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend, and member of the Hope Community Presbyterian Church and greater Virginia community. Vida's voracity for a full life extended to her family, friends, and hobbies. She was an avid reader, gardener, card...

Dec 27, 2017

Dec 26, 2017

Phyllis Jean DeBreto, age 91, longtime resident of Virginia died Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at the Essentia Health Virginia Hospital. She was born July 18, 1926 in Merrill Wisconsin the daughter of Gustave and Lillian (Latzig) Krueger. She was a graduate of Merrill High School and went on to receive her AA from the Virginia Jr. College....

Dec 26, 2017

Patricia Lynn Gillitzer, age 63, longtime resident of Hibbing died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic house fire. She was born March 17, 1954 in Arlington, MN the daughter of Elmer and Deloris (Weber) Ziegler. She was a graduate of Arlington High School and went on to receive her Associates...

Dec 26, 2017

Steven Jon Gillitzer, age 67, longtime resident of Hibbing died Tuesday, December 26, 2017 as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic house fire. He was born May 4, 1950 in Bemidji, MN the son of Herbert and Doris (Stern) Gillitzer. He was a graduate of Hibbing High School and the Hibbing Community College where he...

Dec 16, 2017

Dorothie Elaine Funk, age 92 of Pengilly died Saturday, December 16, 2017 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. She was born April 5, 1925 in Minot, North Dakota, the daughter of Reese and Myrtle (Mackey) Combes, and graduated from High School in Staples, MN. Dorothie married George Funk, Sr. and was a longtime resident of...

Dec 11, 2017

Kenneth R. Samson, age 88, lifelong resident of Hibbing died Monday, December 11, 2017 in his home with family at his side. He was born January 7, 1929 in Hibbing the son of John and Nettie (Sanders) Samson. He was a graduate of Hibbing High School, and a Veteran of the US Army. Kenny was...

Dec 7, 2017

Barbara Jean "Bobbi" Westerbur, age 73 of Mountain Iron died Thursday, December 7, 2017 in her home, surrounded by her family and in the compassionate care of the Essentia East Range Hospice Team. She was born November 30, 1944 in Minneapolis, the daughter of Herbert and Jean (Hubbard) Pfremmer. Bobbi was a graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High...

Dec 5, 2017

The Heavenly chorus gained a new sparkly soprano December 5, 2017 when Nancy Sue (Lostrom) Shadle, 76 years young of Britt, passed peacefully through the pearly gates of Heaven.

Nancy was born in Virginia, MN on Oct. 14, 1941. She grew up in West Virginia, attended and graduated from Mt. Iron High School (1959). She...

Dec 4, 2017

Joan Kay (Erickson) Kujala, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and dear friend to all passed away peacefully at her home on Spirit Lake in Mountain Iron, MN on December 4, 2017 after a long battle with cancer, at the age of 73.

Joan is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Jerry. They...

Dec 4, 2017

Philip M. Block, age 95, of Cohasset and formerly of Grand Rapids and longtime resident of Hibbing, died Monday, December 4, 2017, at Autumn Lane Assisted Living in Cohasset. He was born September 22, 1922, in Bear River, MN, the son of Robert and Ethel (Rothschild) Block. He was a graduate of Bear River High School. A...

Dec 3, 2017

Jerry James Yernatich, age 75 of Tower died Sunday, December 3, 2017 in Essentia Health – Virginia. He was born July 2, 1942 in Soudan, the son of Anthony and Ina (Erickson) Yernatich, was a 1960 graduate of Tower-Soudan High School and graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He married Katherine Niemi on September 16,...

Dec 3, 2017

Renold Angelo Pettinelli, 84, of Virginia, died Sunday December 3, 2017, in Cornerstone Villa in Buhl.

He was born March 3, 1933 in Virginia, the son of Fulvio and Emma Pettinelli. He married Helen Gregorich on December 27, 1952 and was a lifelong resident of Virginia. Renold and Helen provided a home for family and...

Nov 21, 2017

Andrea Josephine Gustafson, age 77, longtime resident of Hibbing died Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at Heritage Manor in Chisholm with family by her side. She was born October 14, 1940, in Hibbing the daughter of Andrew and Stephonia (Gregorich) Paglarini. She was a graduate of Hibbing High School. Andrea was united in marriage to Dale R. Gustafson...

Nov 18, 2017

Jessie Anne Porter Hernandez (Ma'iingan), age 33 of the Vermilion Reservation died Saturday, November 18, 2017 in Essentia-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth. She was born July 19, 1984 in International Falls, MN the daughter of Dion and Roberta (Moyer) Porter. Jessie was employed as a blackjack dealer at Fortune Bay and the Black Bear....

Nov 18, 2017

Phyllis (Lindgren) Chupurdia, age 73, longtime resident of Hibbing died peacefully in her home on November 18th surrounded by her loving family. She was born February 5, 1944 in Chisholm the daughter of Alden and Bonnie (Kirkman) Lindgren. She was a graduate of Chisholm High School, and X-Ray Technician training. She was united in marriage to Martin...

Nov 17, 2017

1-888-579-7953 Code: 74804P

Alvin Clyde Lamppa, age 83 of Embarrass, died Friday, Nov. 17, 2017 at Carefree Living in Babbitt. He was born October 5, 1934 in Embarrass the son of Axel and Minnie (Hill) Lamppa. He was a graduate of Embarrass High School. Alvin was united in marriage to Janet...

Nov 16, 2017

Ruth Nelda (Josephson) Phaneuf, age 79, lifelong resident of Mt. Iron died unexpectedly Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Essentia Health Virginia Clinic. She was born December 10, 1937, in Mt. Iron the daughter of Alfred and Ailie (Martinson) Josephson. She was a graduate of Mt. Iron High School. Ruth was united in marriage to Leo Leslie Phaneuf...

Nov 13, 2017

Marilee Dawn Purrington, age 62, longtime resident of Hibbing, died peacefully in her home on Monday, November 13, 2017, following a 3 ½ year battle with cancer. She was born March 30, 1955, in Ada, MN, the daughter of Leslie and Jean (Hubbell) Ness. She graduated from Ada High School and went on to obtain a degree...