Current Obituaries - (Obituaries are posted for one week)
Douglas George Lithun, age 78, passed away on Sunday December 16th, 2012, in Mesa, AZ after a long battle with heart disease. He was born to George and Dena (Block) Lithun in Harvey, ND on April 30, 1934. He graduated from Harvey High School in 1952 and joined the US Navy in 1953. He served in Adak, Alaska and Puerto Rico as a communications technician. He was united in marriage to Lois Ann Lyall on June 10, 1956 in Harvey, ND. Doug enrolled at the University of North Dakota after his service commitment and received his B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Physical Education. In 1961, he accepted a position teaching elementary physical education in Crookston, MN. He retired from this position in 1991. Doug's creative abilities enabled him to implement many programs that were beneficial to both his students and the community. He received the Partners of Education Award from the Crookston Chamber of Commerce in 1993. After retirement, Doug and Lois wintered in Mesa, AZ. Since 2003, they have summered at Travelers County Club on the Mississippi near Clear Lake, MN. Doug was an avid sportsman. Hunting, fishing, racquetball, pool and golf were a few of the many activities he enjoyed. In the early 1960's, he was a member of the Crookston Flying Club. He was a high school football and basketball referee, and coached golf for several years. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston. After retiring, he developed a talent for matting and framing various works of art. But what he enjoyed most was spending time with family and friends. Doug is survived by his wife, Lois; sons Mark Lithun of Middle River, MN, Kirk Lithun and daughter-in-law, Lara of Plymouth, MN, granddaughter Mallory Lithun, grandson Benjamin Lithun of Plymouth, MN, sister Esther J. Pritchard and brother-in-law Richard D. Pritchard of Houston, TX, as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister June Beireis of Grand Forks, ND. A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 23rd, 2:00 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston.
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Gary Allen Solberg, passed away peacefully at his home on
May 4, 2013. He was born July 16, 1941 to Selmer and Rose Solberg in Blairsburg,
Iowa. The family moved to Fosston three days after he was born then to Debs
(Pinewood), Minnesota where he grew up.
Gary moved to the Tacoma, Washington area in 1968 and married Jean Ray in July,
1969. He enjoyed time with his family and spent his career in the trucking and
transportation business.
Gary Solberg is survived by his two sisters, Arlene (Orville) Berg and Betty
Hausman, a sister in law, Carol, 6 brothers and 6 children, Julianna, Matthew,
Twila, Michelle, Rhonda and Crystal, 17 grandchildren and 10 great
grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and brother in law Ernie
Hausman. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 11 a.m. at
Faith Lutheran Church of Mentor.
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Jane Robinson Hutchins, age 77, of Colorado Springs, CO, died June 6,
2013. She was born at Fairfax, OK on September 15, 1935, the daughter of Jack
and
Alice
Robinson. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class at Guthrie
(OK) High School and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts
from the University of Oklahoma. While employed at Foley’s Department Store in
Houston, TX she met her husband to be, Crookston, Minnesota native Earl C.
Hutchins, a chemist for the Shell Chemical Company. They both moved to New
Orleans and were later united in marriage on December 30, 1958 at Norman, OK.
After living in Union, NJ for a few years, Earl was accepted to the Tulane
University Medical School, which meant a move back to New Orleans. While there,
Jane was employed as an executive secretary at American Can Company and a legal
secretary for a large New Orleans law firm. The couple and their children
eventually settled in the Colorado communities of Greely and Colorado Springs.
Jane was a devoted member of the Catholic parishes in both cities, and was very
active in the scouting programs of her children. She enjoyed collecting perfume
bottles, quilting, basket weaving, and had a love for antiques, founding
Questers organizations in Greeley and Colorado Springs. She and Earl enjoyed
traveling and had visited all seven continents. May God richly bless the memory
of Jane Robinson Hutchins.
She is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-four years, Dr. Earl C. Hutchins
of Colorado Springs, CO; a daughter, Kimberleigh "Kim" Hutchins of Los
Angeles, CA; three sons: Brian Hutchins of San Diego, CA, Todd (Marissa)
Hutchins of Eaton, CO, and Matt (Maruta) Hutchins of Seattle, WA; four
grandchildren: Jack, Sam, Mary, and Ieva; and a brother, James Robinson of
Oklahoma City, OK. She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons,
Gregory and Bradley; and a sister, Sally Robinson.
A graveside service for Jane Robinson Hutchins will be held at 11:00 am,
Wednesday, June 19, 2013, at the Calvary Cemetery in Crookston, MN, with The
Rev. Mario Prada, presiding.
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Tom Smith, age 70, of Oklee, MN, died peacefully on Friday June 14, 2013 at his residence in Oklee, MN.
Thomas Russell Smith was born on June 6, 1943 in St. James, MN the first of three children born to Russell James and Jean Isabell (Frauenholtz) Smith. He was baptized and confirmed into the catholic faith. Tom attended country school near St. James and graduated from St. James High School in 1961. On June 1, 1961, Tom entered into service with the Army National Guard of Minnesota and was stationed at Fort Sill, OK. On December 2, 1961, he was called up to serve in the United States Army and was Honorably Discharged on December 31, 1968. While serving in the Army National Guard, Tom worked at Scherr-Tumico in St. James. On January 22, 1966, Tom was united in marriage to Kathleen Louise Rettke at the Catholic Church in St. James, MN. To this union five children were born, Michelle, Patricia, Christine, Jon, and Matthew. In 1968, they made their home on the Smith family farm near Butterfield, MN. They operated a farm and raised geese, pigs and cattle until 1979. That year, the family moved to a farm south of Oklee, MN in Lambert Township where they continued farming crops and livestock. Tom then received his Auctioneering License after attending school in Southeast Minnesota. He also attended Thief River Falls Technical Institute where he earned a diploma in Aviation Maintenance Technology on June 30, 1988. After graduation, Tom drove his 1966 Plymouth Fury to Georgia where he began his job with Eastern Airlines. Since the early 1990’s, Tom has worked various jobs including helping out Paradis Inc. working with some of his favorite people and friends; working for Midwest Technology throughout the upper Midwest; working with his good friend, Joe McMullen; and most recently worked for the City of Oklee. Tom was a smart man who could figure out or fix most anything; he loved to visit and was knowledgeable on just about every subject. A trait which he passed along to his sons, Jon and Matthew. If his neighbors or friends needed help, Tom was willing to help. He was a "jack of all trades." Tom made his own hog roasters and enjoyed cooking for people. He was also a friend to everyone and never judged anyone. Tom was a member of the Plummer American Legion for the past 22 years.
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Duane C. Wentzel, age 73, of Leesburg, FL, and formerly of Fisher and Crookston, MN, died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Waterman Villages in Mount Dora, FL, under the care of hospice. A memorial graveside service for Duane C. Wentzel will be held at the Oakdale Cemetery in Crookston this coming fall. A full obituary including time and date of the service will be released closer to that time. The Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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Lawrence Leroy Audette, 76, of Red Lake Falls, MN died on Sunday June 9,
2013 at Hillcrest Senior Living surrounded by his loving family. Mass of
Christian burial will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 10:30 AM at St.
Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Chuck Huck Officiating.
Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Red Lake Falls.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service
at St. Joseph Church and also one hour prior to services at the church on
Thursday.
Lawrence Leroy Audette was born December 4, 1936 in Red Lake County, son of the
late Lawrence and Noella (Lasha) Audette. He was baptized December 8, 1936 and
confirmed June 19, 1949 at St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Dorothy. He attended
grade school at Harding Country School in Louisville Township and graduated from
Lafayette High School in 1954. Leroy entered the US Navy in 1956 by traveling
down to Norman, OK for check-in. From there he attended basic training in San
Diego, CA and Aviation Photography School in Pensacola, FL. He was stationed at
NAS Atsugi, Japan and attained the rank of Aviation Photographer’s Mate Second
Class. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
On August 4, 1962 he was united in marriage to
Carol Johanneck at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN. Leroy and
Carol lived on the north side of Red Lake Falls until 1976. In 1976 they
purchased 80 acres of land east of Red Lake Falls where they built their current
homestead. Leroy worked at Alma Trailer Company in addition to running several
of his own businesses, including, Lee’s Photography Studio and Lee’s Camper
Sales. He started Rafdors Inc. in 1970 where he manufactured rafters, doors and
room additions for the mobile home industry. He retired in the late 90's to
focus his time on more enjoyable activities.
Leroy enjoyed flying, fishing (especially with the grandkids), hunting,
rebuilding airplanes and delivering cars for Thibert Chevrolet. He designed and
built a foot-bridge and a log cabin on their rural property. Leroy was great to
volunteer and help with construction projects, especially enjoying the ones with
his children and at his church. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church,
the American Legion in Red Lake Falls, the Red Lake Falls Flying Club and the
Red Lake Falls Sportsman’s Club.
Leroy is survived by his wife of 50 years Carol of Red Lake Falls, MN; children
Becky Audette of Red Lake Falls, MN, Dan (Teresa) Audette of Thief River Falls,
MN, Stephen (Julie) Audette of Brooklyn Park, MN and Diana (Garret) Boykin of
Chandler, AZ: grandchildren Branden Audette, Tyler Audette, Kristen Audette,
Sommer Audette and Noah Audette. Sisters LouAnn Rode of Coos Bay, OR, Judy
(Hugh) Morrison of Selkirk, MB, Laurie (Larry) Filipinski of Lake in the Hills,
IL, Terry (Gary) Weiss of Red Lake Falls, MN, and Mary Jo Audette of Anchorage,
AK; Aunt Sister Laurian Lasha of Crookston, MN along with many nieces, nephews
and cousins. He is preceded in death by his son David Lawrence Audette, his
parents, and long-time hunting buddies Joe Armstrong and Don Audette.
Condolences may be sent at
www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
****
Richard Hallebrot, 74, of Crookston, MN died on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at
Riverview Memory Care Center.Richard Emil Paul Hallebrot was born April 4, 1939
at home on a farm North of Erskine, MN son of Leonard and Marie (Amberson)
Hallebrot. He grew up on the farm, helping with some of the farm work. He was
the oldest of the family of five. He attended a one room country school about
one and three fourths miles from his home. Everyone in his family spoke
Norwegian at home so when he started he couldn’t speak English. He and his
sister Lorraine walked to school most of the time and occasionally their father
would bring them or pick them up in a horse drawn sleigh. The children would
place food items, such as potato, on top of a potbellied stove and the food
would be ready to eat by noon. When the school closed, Richard attended the
school in Erskine.
Richard worked on different farms in the area until
he left home. He had various jobs throughout life, which included driving cab,
owning and operating a janitorial service, managing a café, along with many
others. He also took flying lessons at one time. Richard met Virginia (Virgie)
Hines in Erskine. They married on August 28, 1965 in Sisseton, South Dakota.
They had no children together but Virgie had two grown daughters Francine and
Ellen. Richard and Virgie traveled to numerous places and lived in a number of
places in Minnesota. Many years were spent in the state of Washington and a
short while in California. In 1993 they returned to Minnesota to Virgie’s
hometown of Barnesville. After her death in 2000 he continued to live in
Barnesville until moving to Fair Meadow May 8, 2009 and Riverview Memory Care
Center on April 1, 2013. Richard’s pastime enjoyments include listening to
music, playing musical instruments – piano, accordion, guitar and fiddle. He
enjoyed drawing, spending time researching the Titanic, reading and studying the
Bible.
Richard is survived by sisters Lorraine Keeler of Red Lake Falls, MN and
Margaret (Dennis) Lee of Red Lake Falls, MN; two step daughters Francine Hoffman
of Barnesville, MN and Ellen (Fred) Heille of Worthington, MN; several step
grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his wife Virginia,
parents, infant brother Warren Hallebrot and sister Irene Larson.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Bethany
Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Reverend Gary Graff Officiating,
guest speaker Evelyn Glass. Burial will be held at the Sorum Cemetery rural
Erskine, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on
Friday.
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Mary
Ann Pahlen, age 89, Crookston, MN, and former longtime Euclid, MN
resident, died Wednesday morning, June 5, 2013 at Riverview Health in Crookston
with her loving family at her side. Mary was born on January 4, 1924 to
Frank and Emma (Klos) Stroot in Belgium Township, where she also was raised and
attended school. Mary was united in marriage with Jacob Pahlen on Nov. 14, 1945
and dedicated her life to raising their eleven children on their farm near
Euclid. Jake died on April 24, 1971. Mary continued living on
the farm until she moved to Crookston in 1992.
Mary enjoyed sewing, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting and making lap robes for
veterans and the nursing home. She was a volunteer at the Riverview
Nursing Home and for the Sisters of St. Benedict. She was a member of the
Birthday Club, St. Mary’s Church Altar Society, Catholic Daughters and the
American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed spending time with her family
playing cards, especially Smear and Double Solitaire. Mary was known for
baking and sharing her homemade bread and other goodies.
She is survived by her children: Bill (Lois) Pahlen of Euclid, Joyce (Walt)
Christensen of Crookston, Kathy (Skip) Cormican of Battle Ground, WA, Lois (Jim)
Chandler of Crookston, Carol (Neil) Parkin of Euclid, Dan (Judy) Pahlen of
Warren, Margaret (Chuck) Huston of Crookston, Jerry (Julie) Pahlen of Roseau,
Mary Kay (Chris) Plante of Crookston, and Mark (Maria) Pahlen of Roseau; a
daughter-in-law: Les Pahlen of Grand Forks; 26 grandchildren, 40
great-grandchildren and 15 great great-grandchildren; two brothers: Bernard of
Crookston and Bob of St. Michael; a sister: Clarice Ellingson of St. Michael; a
number of in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters: Irene Fitzsimmons and Dorothy
Westphal; brothers: David, Leo, Walter, Jerome, Joe, Francis, and Bill; her
husband: Jacob Pahlen; a son: Ken in 2008; grandchildren: Lisa Weiland and Jamie
Mercier; great-grandchildren: Marik Peterson and Hannah Chandler.
Mary’s funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, June 10, 2013 at St.
Mary’s Catholic Church, Euclid, MN. Visitation will be at the
Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston on Sunday from 5-7 PM, with a 7 PM
prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.
Burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery, Euclid. Online registry: www.stenshoelhouske.com
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Wayne T. Walden, 68, Borup, MN, died at Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley, MN, on Saturday, June 1, 2013, following a brief illness. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM Thursday, June 6, 2013, at Winchester Lutheran Church, Borup, MN. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Arrangements are with Fredrikson Funeral Home Ada, Minnesota, www.fredriksonfh.com.
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Vivian Loretta
Forseth, 87, a longtime Fisher, MN resident, died peacefully
Sunday morning, June 2, 2013, at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls,
MN.
Vivian was born at St. Paul, MN on April 4, 1926, and was the daughter of
Mike and Clara (Johnson) Forseth. Her childhood years were spent in Fisher, MN,
attending public school and confirming her faith at Fisher Lutheran Church. She
later moved with her family to Barnesville, MN, where she graduated from high
school in 1944. Vivian went on to attend St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in
Grand Forks, ND, receiving her R.N. degree in 1948. The following year she
worked as a nurse at the Veterans Administration Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. She
then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where she received a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Socio-Psychology and Biology in 1951. In 1950 she had moved to
Fisher to make her home, working in Crookston as a nursing instructor at the
Bethesda Hospital School of Nursing and the Crookston School of Practical
Nursing and in Grand Forks, ND as a staff nurse at Valley Memorial Homes. Vivian
retired in 1978 and in 2010 moved from Fisher to the Nimens –Espegaard
Apartments in Crookston, and a year later to Crookston’s RiverView Nursing
Home. In October of 2012 she became a resident of the Hillcrest Nursing Home in
Red Lake Falls. Vivian was a member of the Fisher Lutheran Church, and the
American Nurses Association. She also held membership in Crookston’s Morgensol
Chapter of the Sons of Norway, and was especially proud of her Norwegian
heritage. In her younger years Vivian traveled to several European countries,
and was able to visit Norway twice. She will be very lovingly remembered and
sadly missed.
Vivian is survived by brothers LeRoy Larson of Lakeland Shores, MN and David
Larson of Randolph, NJ., several cousins and many wonderful friends in the
Fisher area. She was preceded in death by her parents. May God richly bless her
memory.
The funeral service for Vivian Loretta Forseth will be held at 2:00 p.m.,
Monday, June 10, 2013, at the Fisher Lutheran Church in Fisher, with The Rev.
Karen Young Trenne, officiating. Visitation will be at the church for one hour
prior to the funeral service. Interment will be in the Fisher Lutheran Cemetery.
The Stenshoel-Houske
Funeral Home is assisting with funeral arrangements. www.stenshoelhouske.com
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