Obituaries

Thomas "Tom" Mrkonich Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/30/2024 - 10:38am

THOMAS "TOM" MRKONICH, 94, of White Bear Lake died Jan. 18 at Waverly Gardens in North  Oaks. He was born July 25, 1929 in Crosby to John and Katherine Mrkonich. He married Dorothy Evanson on Aug. 15, 1959. He was proud of his service to his country in the U.S. Army in Korea. He graduated from St. Cloud State Teacher’s College in 1959 and received a Master’s in Education in Greeley, CO. He taught 8th grade Earth Science in St. Louis Park and retired in 1989 after 30 years in the profession. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy and sisters Ruth Stukel and Jean Perpich.

Linda Rae West Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/30/2024 - 10:37am

LINDA RAE WEST, 70, of Flint, MI died Jan. 24. Linda was born Sept. 25, 1953 in Crosby, the daughter of Earl and Sigrid Marie (Newman) Andrews. She worked as a Social Worker for the State of Michigan until retirment. Linda loved her faith and was very in tune with the Lord. She loved her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter Sheila West-Garner; brothers Vernon, Charles, Bill, Wayne and Tim Andrews; sister Lois Wunderlich and former husband Edward “Bo” West.

Karen Healy Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 11:01am

KAREN HEALY, 65, of Coon Rapids and Emily, passed away surrounded by friends and family at Mercy Hospital on Dec. 30, 2023. She was born March 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, to Herb and Shirley Rotsch. She is proceeded by her parents, brother John Rotsch, sister-in-law Nancy Rotsch, and father-in-law Tom Healy.

Beverly Ann Horner Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 11:00am

BEVERLY ANN HORNER, 69, of Deerwood, died on Jan. 19, 2024 at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.  She was born in Crosby on Feb. 24, 1954 to Robert and Marjorie (Laughton) Horner.  She graduated from the Crosby-Ironton High School class of 1972.   Preceding her in death are her parents; five sisters, Joleene Horner, Debra Wynn, Pat Loftis, Sherry Moen and Linda Gander; one grandson and one great-grandson.

Mary Lou (Novotny) Chambers Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:56am

MARY LOU (NOVOTNY) CHAMBERS passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2024 at her dauther Jody’s (Wayne) home in Saginaw, MN, surrounded by her three daughters and son-in-law. She was born May 20, 1933 in Crosby to John Albert and Rosella (Moen) Novotny. Her mother Nora passed away when Mary Lou was four. At the age of five she was raised by her father and stepmother, Anna Christine Novotny. Mary Lou attended Crosby-Ironton schools. On June 17, 1950 she was married to Allen Baxter Chambers.

James "Jim" William Raymond Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:54am

JAMES "JIM" WILLIAM RAYMOND, 93, of Duluth, passed away on Jan. 10, 2024 at Elysian Senior Living. He was born in Deerwood on Sept. 22, 1930 to Louie and Isabel Raymond. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School, he got a job on the Thomas Wilson sailing the Great Lakes and served in the Naval Reserves. He married the love of his life, Caroline Elmer, on June 9, 1951 in Deerwood.   He began stock car racing at Proctor Fairgrounds - #11, from 1953 to 1961 where he won his fair share of victories.

Roger Dale Bentley, Sr. Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:52am

ROGER DALE BENTLEY, SR., 83, of Crosby, formerly of Minneapolis, passed away on Jan. 6, 2024. Roger was born on Friday, the 13th of December, 1940 to Loren and Lydia Bentley in St. Cloud. Roger enlisted in the U.S. Army tank division and served in Germany.  He retired from the Propane Industry after 30+ years of service. Roger was formerly an active member of the Cuyuna Range Riders ATV Club.  He proudly volunteered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources  providing safety training for youth to obtain a permit to operate ATVs.

Neal Raymond Buchite Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:51am

NEAL RAYMOND BUCHITE, SR., 76, of Nisswa, died on Dec. 27, 2023 at his home.  He was born on Oct. 17, 1947 in Crosby to Hugh and Eulrlie “Lillian” (Chenevert) Buchite.  He was a retired employee of Grandview Lodge in Nisswa with 25 years of service.   Preceding Neal in death are his parents; wife Cheryl Buchite; six brothers, Hugh Jr., Alfred, Morris, Willard “Wink”, Michael, and Ronnie Buchite and granddaughter, Monica Buchite. Neal is survived by four sons, Brian (Suzy) Buchite of Brainerd; Tim (Linda) Buchite of Barrett; Neal “Chip” (Adel) Buchite, Jr.

John Thomas Fillmore Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:50am

JOHN THOMAS FILLMORE, 72, of Brainerd, passed away on Jan. 5, 2024. John was born on Feb. 10, 1951, in Minneapolis to George and Beverly (Dolan) Fillmore. He attended Central High School in Minneapolis before he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. John did two tours in Vietnam and then was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. After being discharged from the Marine Corp, John studied electrical, major appliances, and A/C repair. He installed welding machines and worked in robotics at Minneapolis Oxygen and later at Central McGowen where he retired after 14 years in 2013.

Richard Thomas Balder Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/23/2024 - 10:49am

RICHARD THOMAS BALDER of Palmdale, CA died with his brother, Bruce at his side, on Thursday, Jan. 11 following complications of a hip fracture. Richard was born in Crosby on April 22, 1953 to Willard and Elvera Balder. He was raised in Hoyt Lakes and graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes High School in 1972. He left the cold winters of northern Minnesota for the warmth of sunny California, with never a desire to move back. He was very proud of his 25 year career as a stage technician in Hollywood and Los Angeles, CA.  He retired from MGM and Paramount studios in 2000.