May 2026

Sandy Draves Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:57am

SANDRA DRAVES, 83,  passed away Feb. 22, 2026 at Havenwood of Buffalo. She was born in Crosby on Nov. 22, 1942  to Luella and Harold "Pat" Johnson. She married Allen Draves on Aug. 4, 1962. Sandee worked for many years managing a shoe store at local malls, and later worked at Dayton’s until retirement. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, especially their annual trips to the State Fair and many golfing adventures. Her true passion was golf—being on the course, traveling with friends to new destinations, and playing in women’s leagues brought her tremendous joy.

Paula (Bistodeau) Atwater

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:56am

PAULA (BISTODEAU) ATWATER, 77, of Maple Grove, passed away March 28, 2026  at Arbor Lake Senior Living in Maple Grove after a long battle with ALS. She was born to Alcidos “Buster” and Leah Bistodeau on March 16, 1949 in Buffalo. She is preceeded in death by her parents and a niece. Services will be held at a later date.

Robert "Bob" Carl Vang Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:55am

ROBERT CARL VANG, 75, of New Brighton, formerly of Deerwood, passed away on March 18, 2026. He was born in Crosby, attended C-I High School, Brainerd Junior College and Bemidji State University graduating with a degree in Industrial Technology. He took undergraduate courses at the University of Minnesota in accounting in addition to Dale Carnegie and St. Paul College.

Mary Weis Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:53am

MARY WEIS, 91, of Crosslake passed away on March 23, 2026 at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. She was born on May 17, 1934 in Perham, MN to Peter and Gertrude (VanErp) Minten. She married John Weis on June 7, 1955. She was a teacher in a one-room school house in the Butler area; a Fairfield Township Treasurer and Election Judge with 20+ years of service; active member of St. Emily’s Catholic Church in Emily and Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake; volunteered for MCCL (Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life) and the Emily Food Shelf.

Dean Kurtis Sylvester Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:51am

DEAN KURTIS SYLVESTER, 82, of Deerwood, passed away on Feb. 21, 2026 at the Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. He was born on Oct. 4, 1943 in Braham to Clyde and Helen (Erickson) Sylvester.  On Oct. 14, 1967 he was united in marriage with the love of his life Patricia Mae Lindeen.  He was a member of the Salem Lutheran Church in Deerwood. He worked for NCR (National Cash Register) for 40+ years, where he learned to be very mechanically inclined and a natural at fixing anything and everything.

Reed Allen Erickson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:48am

REED ALLEN ERICKSON, 69, of Crosby, passed away at United Hospital in St. Paul on March 10, 2026. He was born on Sept. 25, 1956 in Aitkin to Samuel and Jacqueline (Gustin) Erickson. He is survived by his brother, Wade Tibbetts. Preceding him in death are his parents; two brothers, Jace and Troy Tibbetts and two sisters, Leah Tibbetts and Julie Erickson. No services are being held. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

Alice Peterson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:47am

ALICE PETERSON of Deerwood passed away in the early morning hours of Dec. 22, 2025 at Aicota Care Center in Aitkin. A gathering is planned to celebrate Alice’s life at the Deerwood Township Hall on Saturday, April 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Town Hall is located at 20782 Highway 6 in Deerwood.

Barbara (Sunde) Balster Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:46am

BARBARA (SUNDE) BALSTER, 61, of Brainerd, passed away on March 15, 2026 at her home. She was born on April 29, 1964, in Crosby to William and Charlotte (Lange) Sunde. Barb was united in marriage to Dean Balster on June 11, 1994 in Nisswa.   Barb was a retired Radiological Technician with Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and Tri County Community Hospital in Wadena.  She happily started a second career at Super One in Baxter and was recently promoted to Deli Manager at Super One in Pequot Lakes.

Rita Ky Verdon Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:44am

RITA KAY VERDON, 70, of Dayton, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home on March 4, 2026. Rita was born on Aug.19, 1955, in Crosby. She graduated from Crosby High School in 1973. Rita worked for North Memorial Medical Center for 40 years. On Nov. 24, 1974, Rita married the love of her life, Michael Verdon. Rita lived a life in Christ, defined by kindness, generosity, and selflessness. She was loved by many and always put the needs of others before her own. Her warm heart, gentle spirit, and unwavering love touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Bonnie (Maxfield) Mullin Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:43am

BONNIE (MAXFIELD) MULLIN, 75, died peacefully in her sleep after brief illness on March 6, 2026. She was born in Crosby, and lived in Crosby, Taconite Harbor, San Diego, CA, Missouri, Florida, and Tucson, AZ for the last 22 years. She graduated from Cook County High School and Duluth School of Business. She spent her career as a legal assistant.  In retirement she and her husband enjoyed traveling, bowling, watching movies and reading.  She also enjoyed playing solitaire, doing the jumble and putting puzzles together.