Obituaries

Nov 20, 2021

Julie May (Anderson) Hendrickson, “the crazy bird lady” 57, passed away unexpectedly on November 20, 2021 due to a brain aneurysm.

Julie was born September 24, 1964 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  As a child, her family moved around for her father’s work, between Minnesota, California, and North Carolina.  She graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem, North...

Nov 20, 2021

Claire Cullen, 92, of Two Harbors died Saturday, November 20, 2021 at Lake View Memorial Hospital.

She was born on March 20, 1929 to Henry and Pauline Johnston in Duluth, where she grew up and attended schools.  Claire married Paul Cullen on July 1, 1949 and together they operated The Electric Shop- Gamble’s Hardware in Two Harbors...

Nov 14, 2021

Richard C. Nikula Jr. “Dubs” 65, of Finland, died unexpectedly at home on November 14, 2021.

Dubs was born July 9, 1956 to Richard Sr. and Judy (Wahl) Nikula and lived his whole life in Finland. He was lucky to live in the “good old days” when kids played outside.

Dubs loved all things outdoors;...

Nov 14, 2021

Robert W. Blaisdell, 84, of Two Harbors, died Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Waterview Shores with his sons at his side.

Bob was born in Two Harbors on March 9, 1937 to Stanley and Margarite (Oberg) Blaisdell. After graduating from Two Harbors High School in 1955, Bob served in the Air National Guard and earned his insurance...

Nov 8, 2021

Karl Henze, 62, of Two Harbors died Monday, November 8, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital.

He was born on July 2, 1959 to Roy and Gladys (Anderson) Henze in Two Harbors, where he was a lifelong resident. After graduating from Two Harbors High School in 1978, Karl was employed as a carpenter with Carl Erickson for many...

Nov 1, 2021

Merle (Sonny) E Norgren, 92, of Duluth Township, passed away on Monday, November 1st, 2021 due to complications from a breakthrough case of COVID-19. He was born August 28, 1929, in Duluth to Edwin and Ella Norgren.

Merle grew up in Duluth and spent the summers on the North Shore in the Palmers area.  He enlisted in the...

Oct 30, 2021

His heart was tired; our hearts are broken.

Johnathan Wesley Smith, “Augo,” 58, of Grand Marais died Saturday, October 30, 2021 at North Shore Health.

John was born November 10, 1962 to Wesley “Bud” and Mary Eve (Beckwith) Smith in Grand Marais. He was a 1981 graduate of Cook County High School and was a...

Oct 30, 2021

Rev. Dr. Dennis P. Brostrom, 71, Silver Bay, died Saturday, October 30, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Dennis was born to Donald and Marian (Johnson) Brostrom on March 15, 1950 in St. Paul, Minnesota where he grew up and attended school.  He graduated from Northwestern College in St. Paul and Luther Seminary in St. Paul. He served...

Oct 28, 2021

Gerald Keith Thieling, 79, of Two Harbors, died unexpectedly on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Waterview Shores while recovering from a recent surgery.

Jerry was born to Gilbert and Eileen (Young) Thieling on November 28, 1941 in Cazenovia, Wisconsin.  He grew up in Barnum, MN and served in the Air Force from 1960 until 1964 where he...

Oct 26, 2021

Judith A. Olson, 78, passed away Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at Sunny Knoll Care Center in Rockwell City, Iowa.

Judy was born December 3, 1942, to Gunnar and Helga (Lehtonen) Johnson in Two Harbors where she grew up and graduated from Two Harbors High School with the Class of 1960.  She was employed by the DM&IR Railway...

Oct 23, 2021

Arlene Dorothy Fladmark, 84, of Duluth Township, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, Oct 23 due to Alzheimer’s disease. We were blessed to have had her as the loving center of our family for so many years.

Arlene was born to Walter and Emma (Voight) Beneke on April 11, 1937 in...

Oct 20, 2021

Thomas R. Pearson (The Bear), 83, of Isabella passed away Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at his home. He was born July 11, 1938, in Minneapolis, to Ellis and Vivian (Thomas) Pearson. He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School, class of 1956, attended UMD and was in the Air National Guard.

He married his beautiful bride...

Oct 20, 2021

Audree Martinovich, 83, of Two Harbors, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Lake View Memorial Hospital.

Audree was born to Bernard and Solomae (Klave) Narlock on March 14, 1938 in Minto, ND where she grew up and graduated from high school.  She moved to Virginia, MN where met the love of her life John “Jocko”...

Oct 14, 2021

Grace Louise Thureen, 83, of Two Harbors died Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Chris Jensen Health in Duluth.

Louise was born on October 1, 1938 to William T. and Joyce (Stone) Corum in San Francisco, CA where she grew up. In 1957, she married Frank Leoni and together they moved to Ely, MN. Louise had 5 children...

Oct 13, 2021

John C. Grahek, 74, Silver Bay, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Waterview Shores in Two Harbors.

John was born to Edward and Genevieve (Karczewski) Grahek on January 2, 1947 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and moved to Silver Bay with his family in 1955. After graduating from Kelley High School in 1965, he attended community college in Ely,...

Oct 10, 2021

Arthur C. Barthman, 85, formerly of Two Harbors, went home to meet Our Lord on October 10, 2021 at the Warroad Senior Living Center in Warroad, Minnesota. He was surrounded by loving family and friends.

Arthur was born to Arthur F. and Clara (Klopf) Barthman on October 3, 1936 in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Chaminade High School...

Oct 4, 2021

Kenneth Dale Peterson, 86, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, October 4th, 2021 with his family at his side. He was the second child of Carroll and Arline Peterson, born May 18th, 1935. He was raised in Billings Montana.

He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1953 and attended...

Oct 2, 2021

Nancy Abrahamson, 84, of Duluth Township, died Saturday, October 2, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

She was born on October 2, 1937 in Fargo, North Dakota and was raised by John and Clara Acker in Isabella, Minnesota.  Nancy married Howard Abrahamson in 1957 and together they made their home in Duluth, where she was a...

Sep 30, 2021

Ann Zastera, 91, Two Harbors, died on Thursday, September 30, 2021 in Miller Dwan Medical Center.

Ann was born September 5, 1930 to Irvin and Esther (McDonald) Inman in Chanute, Kansas but grew up and attended school in Lousville, Nebraska. Ann married Joseph Zastera on June 18, 1950 in Louisville, and in 1956 Joe and Ann moved...

Sep 30, 2021

Carol Peterson, 77, of Two Harbors, died Thursday, September 30, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital after a brief illness.

She was born on January 13, 1944 to Gunnar and Helga (Lehtonen) Johnson in Two Harbors where she grew up and attended schools, graduating in 1962.  After her marriage to Wayne Peterson in 1965 she received her nurse’s...