All Obituaries

Robert Earl Barthell, 65, Two Harbors, died Thursday, March 21, 2019 at Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation in Duluth after a battle with lung cancer. He was born November 15, 1953 to Milton and Blanche (Wells) Barthell in Owensboro, Kentucky.  He grew up in Hoffman Estates, Illinois where he attended Twinbrook Grade School, Helen Keller Jr. High and Conant High School.  Bob worked in the construction industry and later was self-employed, operating Barthell Painting.  He...

 Robert W. “Candy Andy” Anderson, 97, Two Harbors, died on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Estates at Greeley in Stillwater. Bob was born to Einar and Florence (Olson) January 8, 1922 in Two Harbors, where he was a life-long resident. After high school, Bob served in the US Army during World War II, and upon his return, married Mabel Johnson July 21, 1945.  He was employed by the DM & IR Railroad as a machinist and ICC Inspector for many years and later operated...

Mark Ernest Patten, age 67, of Grand Marais MN, passed away  March  16,  2019 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). He was born March 11, 1952 to Leland Tobias Patten and Kathryn Sylvia (Dewar) Patten in Worthington, MN. He graduated from Robbinsdale High ·School in 1970. He married Nancy Elizabeth Barr on May 26th, 1972 at Okontoe Camp, Grand Marais, MN. Together they had 4 children. Mark was an avid outdoors man...

Richard “Dick” Daly, 84, of Two Harbors died Thursday, March 14, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospice after a brief illness, and a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis.  Dick was born November 6, 1934 to James and Clarabelle (Bonneville) Daly in Aitkin where he grew up and attended school. After graduating from high school, Dick attended Army National Guard training where he graduated 1st in his class in Cooking and Baking School.   On the 4th of July 1957 he met...

John Erickson, 84, Two Harbors, died Sunday, March 10, 2019 at his home with his family at his side after a long illness. Fox was born March 21, 1934 to John Erickson and Margaret Welch Erickson in Duluth and lived in Two Harbors for most of his life.  After graduating from Two Harbors High School in 1952, Fox served in the Army.  He was employed by the DM&IR Railroad for many years in a variety of positions.  Fox married Ruth Lindholm in 1967. John was a member of Holy...

John Turonie, Sr., 98, Silver Bay, died March 8, 2019 at his home at Carefree Living. He was born on June 14, 1920 to Andrew and Anna (Turney) Turonie in Mellen, Wisconsin.  John served in the U. S. Army 3rd Armored Division during World War II, and after his discharge returned to Wisconsin.  He married Evelyn Hicken on October 5, 1946 and they moved to Silver Bay in 1954. John was employed as a heavy equipment operator for Reserve Mining Company until retiring in 1983. John was...

Marty Staples, 68, of Two Harbors died on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at his winter home in Phoenix, AZ after a brief battle with brain cancer. He was born on September 16, 1950 in Two Harbors to Robert and Mary (Anderson) Staples where he was a lifelong resident.  Marty worked for the DM&IR Railroad for many years, retiring in 2005. Martin enjoyed spending time outdoors; hunting, fishing, and especially gardening. He is survived by sons, MacKenzie (Crystal Johnston) and Kris...

David Jackson, 64, of French River, died Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation. He was born on November 27, 1954 to Helge and Svea (Sundstrom) Jackson in Duluth.  As was tradition in his family, David worked as a paper boy for the Duluth News Tribune starting at age 11.  He graduated from Clover Valley High School in 1974, part of the last class before it closed.  David married Laurie Salakka on December 3, 1977.  He was employed at Reserve...

Bonnie Lou Kempffer, 81, Two Harbors, was reunited with the love of her life, “Babe”, on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 at Ecumen Scenic Shores. She passed comfortably with family at her side. She was born November 14, 1937 to Frank and Pearl (Alberts) Frazer in Crosby, MN, and grew up and attended schools in Duluth. She married Floyd “Babe” Kempffer on February 7, 1958 and had made her home in Two Harbors since that time. Bonnie was a homemaker through the years and...

Jim Northagen, 83, of Beaver Bay, MN died February 23, 2019 at his winter home in Mission, Texas. He was born November 30, 1935 to Henry and Joran (Steinley) Northagen of Dahlen, ND.  Jim married the love of his life, Doris Capouch, on June 18, 1955.  Jim was employed by Reserve Mining in Silver Bay, MN.  He then began a career in law enforcement, serving both as a Lake County Deputy Sheriff and later as an officer with the Silver Bay police force, until his retirement in...