Obituaries

Apr 10, 2020

Born to George Kolesar and Babe Aakhus Kolesar on November 20th, 1935.  Dave was raised during the Great Depression and a member of the “Fortunate Generation”. He was too young to fight in WWII and the Korean War, too old to fight in Vietnam. But after graduating from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School (1953), he enlisted in the Army and...

Apr 10, 2020

Dena Louise Carlson-Stumm passed away April 10, 2020 with her mother, husband, and sister by her side. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dena was born October 9, 1971 in Staples, MN to Dale and Barb (Allen) Carlson. She married the love of her life, Thomas Stumm, October 28, 2017. Dena enjoyed...

Apr 8, 2020

Rose Ann Keep (Thaler), 67, of Backus, passed away April 8, 2020, at her home.  She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Dennis; children: Tammy (Steve) Cox of Chattanooga, TN, Shelly (Russ) Schaefer, and Troy (Tina) Keep, both of Backus; her eight grandchildren whom she adored: Bennett, Avery, Madison, Julia, Abby, Tanner, Alexa, and Carter; brothers: Steve (Kathy)...

Apr 6, 2020

Esther “Connie” Constance Kirchner-Carlson, 85, of Pequot Lakes, died Monday, April 6, 2020 at Shiloh Assisted Living in Pequot Lakes. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Connie was born June 30, 1934 in Lake Mills, IA to Conrad and Eva (Mattison) Honsey. She enjoyed sewing, horseback riding, decorating cakes, and Harley Davidson rides. Connie...

Apr 5, 2020

Steven Allan Gottsch, 61, of Brainerd, passed away at Essentia Health – St Joseph’s Medical Center on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Steven was born October 7, 1958 in Brainerd to Harry and Patsy (Fitch) Gottsch. He graduated from Brainerd High School. Steven worked for himself as a landscaper...

Apr 5, 2020

Harvey L. Kack, 85, of Crosslake, died Sunday, April 5, 2020 at the Birchview Gardens Assisted Living in Hackensack, MN.  A Memorial Service for Harvey is set for 11 AM, Friday, July 10 th at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Crosslake, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Harvey Lawrence Kack was born on August...

Apr 4, 2020

Betty J. Nelson was born on April 29, 1930 in Faribault, Minnesota to Jack and Justine Schueller.  She married Maynard Nelson on August 11, 1949 in St. Paul.  The couple was happily married for 70 years.  Together they raised three children; Betty taught her children by the example she set; how to live and love life.  She loved life...

Apr 3, 2020

Brenda Marie (Nelson) McKinney, 80, of Brainerd, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020 at home, surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Brenda enjoyed spending time with her family and friends; she especially cherished time with her grandchildren. Brenda enjoyed gardening and was passionate about her flowers. She enjoyed camping...

Apr 2, 2020

Robert James Munholand of Crosslake, Minnesota, died on Thursday, April 2, 2020, after a brief illness. Bob was born July 7, 1926 in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Ezra and Mary (Logan) Munholand. He was preceded in death by his wife of 32 years Erna (Klosner), son James Thomas, brothers Harry and Eugene and sisters Lois Bishop and Martha Qualley....

Apr 1, 2020

Kay Saxvold, age 70, of Jenkins, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, at her home.

Kay is survived by husband, Nolan Saxvold of Jenkins; son, Dean (Diana) Larson of Brooklyn Park; daughter, Connie (Robert) Mudgett of Pillager; grandchildren: Reed, Adam, Kaylee, Gracie; siblings: Fredrick (Joyce) Walton of Andover, MN, Mary...

Mar 30, 2020

Celebration of Life service for Jack Nelson will be Sunday, July 12th at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Timber's Restaurant and Event Center, Staples, MN. Both services will be the same, so choose only one to attend. Due to Covid there is limited seating, RSVP to Heidi is required. Masks are strongly encouraged.John "Jack" Nelson, 81, of Staples,...

Mar 29, 2020

Sharon Schirmer, 85, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at Edgewood Vista on March 29, 2020.

Sharon is survived by her son, Carl Jr. (Karen) Schirmer; three grandchildren, Emily Schirmer, Kelsey (Scott) Nelson, Ben (Angie) Heyen, and four great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Carl Schirmer Sr.; her...

Mar 28, 2020

Gertrude “Trudy” A. DeBow, age 93, died Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Mills Manor in New York Mills, MN.  Private family interment will take place in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.

Trudy was born in Verdon, SD on April 10, 1926 to August and Anna...

Mar 25, 2020

Peter V. Alexander, age 73, of Pine River, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society, Pine River. He was born in Pine River on February 8, 1947.

Pete is survived by his sons: Peter, Todd (Patty) and Christopher, all of Pine River; two brothers; one sister; six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was...

Mar 25, 2020

Willis “Bill” Dewey Gruber passed away on March 25, 2020 at home after a long illness. At Bill's request, no services will be held.

Bill was born on September 9,1937 in Red Wing, MN to Dewey and Erna (Danielson) Gruber. Bill graduated from Watertown High School in 1955 and served as a Buck Sargent for 6 years...

Mar 24, 2020

Thormen "Bud" Leines, 97, formerly of Hackensack, died Tuesday, March 24th, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Baxter. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Thormen Alton Leines was born September 20, 1922, in Fergus Falls, MN, the son of Emil and Alma (Lee) Leines. After graduating from high school, Bud and his father...

Mar 22, 2020

Beatrice “Bea” Mae Pearson, 88, of Crosby, died March 22, 2020 at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Care Center. No memorial services are planned at this time.

Bea was born on May 20, 1931. She loved to fish, play cards and bingo, and knit. Bea will be truly missed.

Bea is survived by her children, Lorna,...

Mar 22, 2020

Arnold “Arnie” Stanley Heinrich, 89, of Brainerd, MN died Sunday, March 22, 2020 at home, surrounded by his loving family. Private family services will be held Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Light Of The Cross Lutheran Church in Garrison, with full military honors. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arnie was born...

Mar 19, 2020

Alice Evelyn Geroux, 100, of Brainerd, died Thursday, March 19, 2020. A graveside service will take place at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 30, 2020 at Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake.

Alice was born to Ernest Martin and Mary Edith Liebenow on august 10, 1919. She married “Nick” Geroux on September 10, 1937. They brought forth eleven beautiful children;...

Mar 16, 2020

Vernon “Vern” Luke Dano, 63, of Nisswa, passed away peacefully in his sleep from complications of liver cancer. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at a later date at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church in Nisswa, MN.

Vern was born in Brainerd to Jimmie and Darlyne (Puetz) Dano. He graduated from Brainerd High School, where he enjoyed...