Obituaries

Karen A. Archibald Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:19am

KAREN A. ARCHIBALD, 83, of Coon Rapids, formerly of Bay Lake Township, passed away on Jan. 7, 2026. A service is being planned for January 29, 2026.  Full obit will follow. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

Charlene Mae Andrews Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:18am

CHARLENE MAE ANDREWS, 89 of Crosby, passed away on Jan. 8, 2026 at the Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. She was born on April 25, 1936 in Crosby to Charles and Florence (Tindel) Rhodes. She was a retired bus driver for Crosby-Ironton Transportation with 32 years of service and was a former dispatcher for the Crosby Police Department. Preceding her in death is one son, Dan Andrews. Surviving her are two daughters, Cheryl (Keith) Wynn of Deerwood and Cindy (Paul) Bass of Ramsey; five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. No services are being held.

Richard "Flip" Valentino Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:16am

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Richard “Flip” Valentino, 96, of Black River Falls, WI, formerly of Crosby, MN. Richard passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family. Richard was born on Feb. 25, 1929, in Ironton, MN, to Richard and Rosa (Ballone) Valentino. He was the youngest child of his Italian immigrant parents—his father emigrated from San Giacomo, Italy, in 1910, and his mother from Torino, Italy, in 1916. Richard began his career at Inland Armour Number 2 underground mine in Crosby-Ironton, where manganese was mined.

Alice "Teddy" Theodora Skattum Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:15am

ALICE "TEDDY" THEODORA SKATTUM, 97, passed away at Heartwood Care Center in Crosby on Dec. 24, 2025. She was born Aug. 13, 1928 to Lucile (Noble) and Theodore Snodgrass at Miller, SD. She lived in various places in South Dakota, Iowa and Missouri while her father got his doctorate in Mathematics. Then the family moved to Yankton, SD where he taught at Yankton College. When World War II started, her father enlisted in the Air Force as a navigator. Her mother went back into teaching at Hills, MN where Teddy graduated as Valedictorian of her class.

Janet J. Chambers Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:14am

JANET J. CHAMBERS, 94, of Pequot Lakes, formerly of Trommald, passed away at the Caring Hearts Senior Community in Pequot Lakes on Jan. 4, 2026. A service will be held at a later date.  Full obit will follow. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

George William August Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:13am

GEORGE WILLIAM AUGST, 78, of Brainerd, formerly of Forest Lake, passed away on Dec. 30, 2025 at his home. He was born on Feb.18, 1947 in St. Paul to George and Eleanor (Baligrodzki) Augst. He was united in marriage with Cherry Worlie on Aug.5, 1967 in West St. Paul. He is survived by his wife Cherry; two sons, George A. Augst of North Branch and Andrew Augst of Andover; his twin brother, Gerald Augst of Brainerd; two sisters, Jeanette (Sylvester “Chip”) Schwartz of Crosby and Carol Harding of Crosby; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

David Sheldon Causation Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:11am

DAVID SHELDON CAUSTON, 81, of Aitkin, passed away at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth on Dec. 24, 2025. He was born in St. Paul on Feb. 8, 1944 to Sheldon and June (Jared) Causton.  David married Linda Palas on Sept. 28, 1987 in Elk River. David taught German and was a High School Counselor in Park Center and Osseo School Districts. He was a member of St. Emily’s Catholic Church; a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 9651, Crosslake and Emily and the 4th Degree Assembly 549, Brainerd. David excelled at everything he took an interest in.

David Anthony Landree Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:10am

DAVID ANTHONY LANDREE, 77, of Ironton, passed away on Dec. 27, 2025 at the Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. He was born in Crosby on June 13, 1948 to Hubert and Mary Ada (Bastien) Landree. He was a Crosby-Ironton High School graduate. After high school David served four years in the U.S. Navy during Vietnam.  David was united in marriage to Doris Jean Westbrook in Philipsburg, Kansas in 1972. He attended and graduated from the Brainerd Community College and St. Cloud State University with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education.

Michael Thomas Brown Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:09am

MICHAEL THOMAS BROWN, 78, of Baxter, passed away on Dec. 24, 2025 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud. He was born in Crosby on June 1, 1947 to John and Brynetta (Hendrickson) Brown.   He was united in marriage with Florentina “Gina” Lastra on Nov. 8, 1969. Mike was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam war.  He was a retired member of the Operating Engineers Local 49.  Mike was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Clifford "Cliff" Rono Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:08am

CLIFFORD "CLIFF" RONO, 68, of Crosby, passed away at his home on Dec. 25, 2025. He was born on Aug. 26, 1957 in Crosby to Adolph and Pearl (Booth) Rono. He was a life-long resident of the Crosby community.  He graduated from the Crosby-Ironton High School. A dedicated professional, he spent over 40 years behind the wheel as a truck driver, navigating countless miles. When he wasn’t on the road, he found peace in the simple pleasures of life, particularly gardening and fishing.