Obituaries

Phillip "Phil" C. Backberg Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:07am

PHILLIP "PHIL" C. BACKBERG, 87, of Mission, passed away in Brainerd on April 30, 2025. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Nelson Doran in Brainerd.

Matthew "Matt" Jerome Nelson Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:06am

MATTHEW "MATT" JEROME NELSON, 50 of Wishek, ND, passed away on April 15, 2025 unexpectedly at his home. He was born on March 6, 1975 in Shakopee, to Wayne and Mary Ann (Carrigan) Nelson. He grew up in Bloomington and graduated from JFK High School, class of 1993.  He earned a BS degree in Biological Science from St. Cloud State and went on to pursue his Master’s degree at South Dakota State University. He was employed as a Biologist with the U.S. Dept. of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service as a conservation technician on the prairie grasslands in Kulm, ND.

Jean (Bruehling) Braun Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:05am

JEAN (BRUEHLING) BRAUN, 79, of North Branch,  formerly of Pine Island and Ironton, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Isanti. Jean was born on May 22, 1945, in Chippewa Falls, WI, to Alvin P. and Marjorie M. Bruehling. She attended Notre Dame Grade School and graduated from McDonell High School in 1963. In 1964, she moved to Rochester, MN, where she began a 30-year career at IBM. That same city would become home to her growing family after marrying Maurice W. Klingsporn in 1967. Together, they raised two children, Joseph and Deanna.

Conrad Johnson Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 10:02am

CONRAD JOHNSON, a devoted servant whose unwavering faith guided his life's journey, peacefully entered eternal rest on April 9, 2025, in Tulsa, OK. Born on March 4, 1939, in Crosby, MN, Conrad pursued a vocation in education, earning a Bachelor's degree from Denver University and a Master's from St. Cloud State. He began his career as an elementary teacher and taught for some time in Crosby-Ironton where he touched countless young lives with wisdom and compassion. He joined the Army National Guard at age 17.

Jean Marie Braun Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:58am

JEAN MARIE BRAUN, 79, of North Branch, formerly of Ironton, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Services will be held at a later date.

Jeanne Lillian (Ruschmeier) Risnes Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:58am

JEANNE LILLIAN (RUSCHMEIER) RISNES passed away April 18, 2025, at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Duluth Medical Center. She was born on Oct. 20, 1938, in Plato to Ernie and Lillian (Telthorster) Ruschmeier, and moved to Aitkin in 1946 where she graduated from Aitkin High School. She married Carl G Risnes in Aitkin in 1954. She started out her career at 3M in Minneapolis until moving back to Crosby in 1974 where she was a dedicated employee of Scorpion until 1980. She then worked for Crow Wing County until her retirement in 2003.

Erwin "Buzz" Neared, Jr. Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:57am

ERWIN "BUZZ' NEPRUD, JR., 70, of Crosby, passed away at his home on April 21, 2025. He was born on Oct. 22, 1954 in Crookston to Erwin and Marcella Neprud Sr.   He married Barbara Aulie Sept. 2, 1978 in Crosby. He was active in numerous organizations: life member of the Minnesota Trappers Association (MTA), National Trappers Association (NTA), an inductee into MTA Hall of Fame. He was also 2014 Trapper of the Year and he received the Presidential Award in 2021. For many years he was active in Local Ducks Unlimited.

Erwin "Buzz" Neared, Jr. Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:57am

ERWIN "BUZZ' NEPRUD, JR., 70, of Crosby, passed away at his home on April 21, 2025. He was born on Oct. 22, 1954 in Crookston to Erwin and Marcella Neprud Sr.   He married Barbara Aulie Sept. 2, 1978 in Crosby. He was active in numerous organizations: life member of the Minnesota Trappers Association (MTA), National Trappers Association (NTA), an inductee into MTA Hall of Fame. He was also 2014 Trapper of the Year and he received the Presidential Award in 2021. For many years he was active in Local Ducks Unlimited.

Grace R. Schuller Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:56am

GRACE R. SCHULLER, 90, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025 at her home in Outing. Grace was born in St. Paul on Dec. 31, 1934 to Leroy and Hattie (Springer) Mattson.  She grew up in many places around the country, as her father moved to various construction sites, eventually returning to Minneapolis to settle down. Grace attended Nokomis Junior High where she met her husband of 72 years, Jack, at a nearby ice rink on Minnehaha Creek.  Grace graduated for Roosevelt High School in 1952.

Gayle Elizabeth Mocabee Obit

Published by admin on Fri, 06/13/2025 - 9:55am

GAYLE ELIZABETH MOCABEE, 77, of Aitkin, passed away on April 21, 2025 at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.