Obituaries

Alice L. Peterson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:07am

ALICE L. PETERSON, 88, of Deerwood died Dec. 22, 2025, in Aitkin, MN after a brief illness. She was born April 11, 1937, in the Bemidji Hospital, the daughter of Charles and Ellen (Marrs) Gray.   Alice graduated from Kelliher High School in 1955. After graduation, she answered a newspaper ad offering work at a resort, which brought her to Deerwood where she met her future husband and father of her children, Herbert (Pete) Swanson. They were married in 1955 and shared over 18 years together until Pete’s sudden death in a snowmobile accident in 1974.

marlys claudette (Spangenberg) Rabb Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:06am

MARLYS CLAUDETTE (SPANGEBERG) RABB, 87, of Aurora, passed away peacefully in Duluth, on Dec. 15, 2025. She was born in Trommald on June 19, 1938 to Raymond and Adeline (Amundson) Spangenberg. She graduated from Aurora High School in 1956 and subsequently worked as a secretary at Boase Elementary School and in the clerical department at the Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes. She married Ernest "Steve" Rabb on Aug. 10, 1957 in Biwabik. She was a dedicated homemaker who, along with her husband Steve, raised their four children- Patty (Kirby) Mirau, Steve Rabb, Jeff Rabb, and Kristine Rabb.

Stephen "Steve" Earl Andrews Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:05am

STEPHEN "STEVE" EARL ANDREWS, 68 of Deerwood, passed away at his home on Dec. 24, 2025. He was born in Billings, MT on Oct. 10, 1957 to Charles and Jeanette (Anest) Andrews. He was the former owner of Andrew’s Trucking in Owatonna.  He was a member and past vice commander of the Son’s of American Legion (Walter Scott Erickson American Legion) and was a member of the Aitkin Legion Riders.

James E. Nordvall Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:04am

JAMES E. NORDVALLl,  92, of Emily, MN, formerly of Andover. On Dec. 16, 2025, Jim was at home when he was called to heaven to be with his Lord and Savior. Preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, parents Elvin and Helen Nordvall, and sister Barb Dahl. Survived by two sons, Michael (Cindy) and Mark (Jan); four grandchildren, Sarah, Jeff, Allison and Connor; great-grandchildren, Levi and Olivia; loving sister, Beverly (Dennis) Eliason. Jim learned how to work hard as a boy on the family farm in Braham. He embraced that work ethic with stints in the U.S.

Melanie Jean Lundquist (Peterson) Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:03am

MELANIE JEAN LUNDQUIST (PETERSON), passed gently into Heaven's realms on Dec. 4, 2025. Mel was born at Miners Hospital on March 28, 1949 in Crosby, MN to Eric and Ellen Peterson.  She was the third of five children in a close-knit family with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins and one precious grandmother. She graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1967.  Keyboards, whether typewriter or later computer, were no match for her flying fingers.  She was recommended for an after-school job at Halletts because of her skills.

Francis John Murphy Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 10:00am

FRANCIS JOHN MURPHY of St. Charles passed away Dec. 3, 2025. He was born on Aug. 23, 1940, to Francis and Ann Murphy in Crosby. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where he played four years of football and earned his degree in education. He taught for 34 years in Elgin district U-46 at the elementary level. He remained in contact with several students even after retirement. He is survived by his wife Mary, sister Patricia Koenig, and one niece and several cousins. Services have been held. Donations may be made to the Northern Illinois Food Bank or Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Berndt Huntley Gustafson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 9:59am

BERNDT HUNTLEY GUSTAFSON, 75, of Brimson, died Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 of B-Cell Lymphoma. He died at home without pain surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 12, 1950, in Duluth, MN, the son of Gustav and June (Johnson) Gustafson. He grew up in French River and attended Clover Valley schools. He joined the U.S. Army directly out of high school and became a Medic and Jump Master, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. He attended the College of St. Scholastica for several years on the GI Bill and later married Debbie Susan Male on June 29, 1974.

Debra Marion Borden Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 9:58am

DEBRA MARION BORDEN, 73, of Brainerd, passed away on Dec. 9, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Debra was born on Oct. 31, 1952, in New Ulm, the daughter of Harvey and Verda (Hagg) Messner. She was a devoted mother who cherished every moment spent with her family—whether watching her children’s activities or doting on her grandchildren. She also found tremendous joy in her career. Debra began her teaching journey in Aitkin before returning to school to earn her Special Education licensure.

John "Allen" Bell Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 9:56am

JOHN "ALLEN" BELL, 86, of Bay Lake Township, passed away at his home on Nov. 25, 2025.   He was born in Brainerd on April 14, 1939. John was a Regional Credit Manager at JCPenney Department Store with 40 years of service. Allen is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Jon and Kathy Bell of Deerwood; two grandchildren, Joshua Bell and Andrew Bell both of Plymouth. Preceding Allen in death are his mother, Millie; his wife Patricia; and daughter, Julia Bell Evanson. A Graveside Service will be at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 1:30 p.m.

John Mocabee Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/13/2026 - 9:56am

JOHN MOCABEE, 75, passed away Nov. 3, 2025. He was born on Jan. 2, 1949, in the California Bay Area. He lived a life marked by service, adventure, and an unwavering dedication to others. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969, carrying with him the strength, discipline, and brotherhood of the Marines throughout the rest of his life. He loved riding his Harley, playing disc golf with his league, and offering a helping hand to anyone in need. His kindness, humor, and warm spirit left a meaningful impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.