Obituaries

Jul 11, 2022

Betty Ann Baakkonen, 86, of East Gull Lake, passed away peacefully at Essentia Health on July 11, 2022. Services will be held together with her husband on Thursday July 14, 2022, at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter at 12:00pm. There will be a visitation for family and friends one hour prior to the start of the service. Burial...

Jul 10, 2022

Richard Hlidek, 89, of Palisade MN, passed away peacefully at his home on the river, July 10, 2022.

Born on January 20, 1933, to Fred and Emma (Draplik) Hlidek, in Omaha Nebraska, he married Darlene Gerke on August 29, 1959. His Psychology degree brought much enjoyment and satisfaction working with children, and he had a special knack...

Jul 10, 2022

Steve P. Roden, 60, of Brainerd, joined the love of his life Melina on July 10, 2022. Details of services will be coming.

Steve was born in Minneapolis on June 24, 1962. He worked as a cook in the Brainerd area for over 30 years. Steve enlisted in the Military and worked as a trucker during that...

Jul 8, 2022

James R. Ware, age 88, of Aitkin, passed away July 8, 2022, at Rivers Edge Assisted Living in Aitkin. He was born on April 26, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1934 his parents Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Ware moved to Aitkin, Minnesota and purchased a country gas and grocery store. Jim attended public and parochial...

Jul 7, 2022

Lloyd Baakkonen, age 82, of East Gull Lake, MN, passed away peacefully at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd on July 7, 2022.

A Memorial Service for Lloyd will be held on Thursday July 14, 2022, at Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter at 12:00pm. There will be a visitation for family and friends one hour prior to...

Jul 5, 2022

 William “Jim” Fennema, age 88, of Brainerd, MN passed away peacefully at Woodland Good Samaritan on July 5, 2022. A memorial service and burial for Jim is being planned at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls.

 Jim was born to Anthony and Rosella (Brouillard) Fennema on October 23, 1933 in Big Lake, MN. He served in the...

Jul 5, 2022

LeRoy (Roy) Harren, 90, Albany MN, formerly of Upsala MN, died on July 5, 2022, at Mother of Mercy in Albany. Visitation will be 4-7pm on Tuesday July 12th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Upsala with the prayer service beginning at 4pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11am on Wednesday July 13th with a visitation at 10am....

Jul 3, 2022

Julius “Skee” Mass, 86, of Brainerd, passed away on July 3, 2022. Services will be held 11am on Saturday, July 9th at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Visitation will begin at 10am. Interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery.

Julius was born on March 8, 1936, to Ervin and Mildred (Olson) Mass...

Jul 1, 2022

Richard Auger passed away on Friday, July 1st, 2022, at the age of 82. Dick passed with his wife Sharon and children Mike, Lori and Tom by his side.

Dick was born in Minneapolis, MN on March 24th, 1940 to father Les and Helen.  Dick is survived by his wife Sharon of 60 wonderful years and children...

Jun 28, 2022

Robert “Bob” Stephan, age 80, of Pequot Lakes, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at his home. He was born to Arthur and Hazel Stephan on January 11, 1942, in Riceville, Iowa. Bob proudly served in the U.S. Army from August of 1960 to August of 1980. He served in Vietnam, Germany and Korea and obtained the rank...

Jun 28, 2022

Bonnie Yvonne Carpenter, age 87, of McGregor, MN, passed away at her home on June 28, 2022. A Graveside Service for Bonnie will be held at Fort Snelling.

Bonnie was born to Andrew and Wilma (Wolff) Esch on April 25, 1935 in Wishek, North Dakota. She graduated from High School, and was employed as a factory worker....

Jun 28, 2022

Effie Mae Hofmann, 100, passed away peacefully June 28, 2022 at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minnesota. She was born Feb 27, 1922 in McGregor, MN to William and Margaret Kant. The family moved to Crosby where Effie attended school, graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School.

After High School she worked at the Crosby Red Owl and...

Jun 26, 2022

Mark August Pioske, 79, passed away on June 26, 2022 with his family by his side after a courageous battle with Leukemia.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol (Dybvik) Pioske and his three daughters, Debra Letcher (Brian), Tonya Schewe (Daris) , Stacy Collins (Tim) and his seven grandchildren, Madison, Quaid, Riley, McKenzie, Camryn, Jack, Sullie, A brother...

Jun 26, 2022

David Hall, age 76, of Nisswa, MN, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Brainerd on June 26, 2022. A Memorial Service for David will be held on Friday July 1, 2022, at 12:00pm at Pequot Lakes Baptist Church. There will be a visitation held on Thursday June 30, 2022, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Brenny Family...

Jun 26, 2022

Barbara Forster, 52, of Baxter, passed away on Sunday June 26, 2022.

Barbara Jean Forster was born in Minneapolis on June 6th, 1970 to parents Victoria and Robert Forster. Barb was very close with her father, and the two enjoyed watching wrestling together, long bike rides around the city, and listening to Shania Twain. Much of her childhood...

Jun 25, 2022

Timothy Mark Devorak, age 69, of Pine River, passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Brainerd. He was born on May 25, 1953, in Fergus Falls, MN.

Tim and his wife, Margaret owned and operated North Country Aqua Care and Central Water Testing Laboratory in Brainerd. Tim enjoyed riding and building...

Jun 25, 2022

Ann J Martin (Crees) 78, of Brainerd, formerly of Bayard Iowa, passed away on June 25, 2022, at St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Ann was born on December 12, 1943 in Guthrie Center Iowa.

Ann is survived by her daughter, Joyce Martin (Joe Chura); children, Finn and Harper, and daughter, Jane Winter (Jason); and children, Jared, Nathan, Megan,...

Jun 24, 2022

Gary Bruce Gardiner was born on September 21, 1948 in Brainerd, MN, to Paul L. and Marge P. (Robideau) Gardiner. He passed away on June 24, 2022 at the age of 73 in the Good Samaritan Society in Pine River, MN, after a brief battle with cancer.

Gary grew up in Pine River where he attended school...

Jun 23, 2022

Cindy passed away at home Thursday, June 23rd surrounded by family. Most of you will remember her as a charismatic community member always ready to lend her capable hands to any project and help anyone in need. Her tender heart and love for all living things shined through in her green thumb (some of you may remember the tomato...

Jun 23, 2022

It is with deep sadness, yet a joyful peace to announce the passing of Gloria Cauley. Born February 7th, 1956... she married her love Richard Cauley in 1978. In 1985 they were blessed with a son, George Cauley. Coming to Minnesota and raising George, they were a close-knit trio. Upon reaching enlistment age, George entered the National Guard and...