Obituaries

Bruce A. Maalis Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 10/24/2025 - 12:41pm

BRUCE AARON MAALIS, 76, of Crosby died Oct. 16, 2025 at home surrounded by his family.   He was born in La Crosse, WI to James and Cleo (Sims) Maalis pm Feb. 29. 1949. After high school he attended St. Cloud State University before entering the U.S. Navy. He served from 1968-1971 on the U.S.S. Ranger aircraft carrier in the Tonkin Gulf and on the U.S.S. Saratoga.  Bruce was honorably discharged from the Navy and attended vocational school for electronics. Bruce worked as an electronics technician for several years before going to work for the U.S. Postal Service.

Brent A. DeCent Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:59am

BRENT A. DeCENT, 62, of Gulfport, MS, passed away on Oct. 10, 2025 at the Gulfport Memorial Hospital. He was born to Ray R. DeCent and Katherine Barber DeCent on Sept. 26, 1963, in Rochester, Fulton County, IN. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1986 to 2006 and received two step awards for serving. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Brian DeCent and step-brother Jimmy Hughes.

Patricia Lillian Dirkes Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:58am

PATRICIA LILLIAN DIRKES, 61, of Cuyuna, passed away at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin on Sept. 30, 2025. She was born on June 21, 1964 in Staples to Jerome and Lillian (Holub) Weishalla.   She was an employee of Wells Fargo with 20 years of service and was employed for a couple years with SuperOne in Crosby. She is survived by her sons, Steve (Kayla) Weishalla, Scott (Zaida) Weishalla and Louis (Madison) Dirkes; and eight grandchildren. Preceding her in death are her parents and one sister, Sharon Grunwald. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tim Malherek Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:57am

TIM MALHEREK of Riverton passed away Oct. 5, 2025. He was preceded in life by his wife of 55 years, Shirley Malherek, who passed Aug. 2020. He is survived by his son, Jeff Malherek and his daughter-in-law, Marti, of Spokane Valley, WA. Malhereks were both community minded and regularly active in their support of Crosby-Ironton and the surrounded towns, as members of Riverton’s City Council and Volunteer First Responders for Crow Wing County.  

Barbara Jean Wessman Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:57am

BARBARA JEAN WESSMAN, 86, of Maple Grove, passed away on Sept. 24, 2025. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family. She retired and moved to their cabin on Smokey Hollow Lake in Outing. In retirement, she found a talent for watercolor painting. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerome "Jerry" Wessman; parents Ivar and Edna Carlson; siblings, Marvin Carlson, Donald Carlson, Marion Haynes. She is survived by her children, Sherri Wessman-Ferenc (John), Kevin Wessman (Julie), Keith Wessman (Darcy), Brentt Wessman; her grandchildren, great-grandchildren.

Paul W. Jeske Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:56am

PAUL W. JESKE passed away at his home on Friday, Sept. 12 surrounded by his family. He was born in St. Paul on April 2,1937. He graduated from St. Paul Johnson high school in 1955 and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter in 1959. He was on the golf team and lettered all four years. He joined and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He was employed at 3M for over 30 years retiring in 1996. In 1969 he bought the property on Roosevelt Lake near Outing where weekends were spent while he was working. After retirement summers were spent at the lake right up to the present.

James "Jim" Mahoney Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 9:55am

JAMES "JIM" MAHONEY, 83, of Laguna Niguel, CA, passed away peacefully on Oct. 2, 2025, with family at his side following complications from a cardiac event in April. Born on Sept. 2, 1942, in Monticello the son of Francis and Mary Mahoney. He grew up on the Mahoney farm where his strong work ethic was instilled at an early age. He graduated from Monticello High School in 1960 where he excelled as a student and was captain of the football team and homecoming king.

Patricia Lillian Dirkes Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/07/2025 - 9:34am

PATRICIA LILLIAN DIRKES, 61, of Cuyuna, passed away on Sept. 30, 2025 at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. Services are pending with the Koop Funeral Home.

Dean Michael Balster Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/07/2025 - 9:33am

DEAN MICHAEL BALSTER, 59, of Brainerd, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 30, 2025.   He was born in Slayton on July 23, 1966, to Harold and Colleen (Berg) Balster.  Dean was united in marriage to Barbara Sunde on June 11, 1994 in Nisswa.   Dean was proudly employed as a carpenter with Hy-Tec Construction in Brainerd.

Lonnie Elmer Martin Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/07/2025 - 9:32am

LONNIE ELMER MARTIN, 71, passed away Sept. 21, 2025, at her home with her husband Tom by her side. She was born to Edward and Lorraine Elmer in Crosby. She graduated From Crosby-Ironton High School in 1972 and worked for Potlatch for 24 years. She enjoyed horseback riding, crocheting and spending time with her family.