Obituaries

Susan Bye Elyea

Jan 1, 2022

Susan Bye Elyea died unexpectedly as a result of a car crash in early April. Susan was born in Red Top and grew up in McGrath where she enjoyed 4-H, life on the farm and learning. Susan moved to Minneapolis after graduation and later met Arthur W Bye. They lived in Minneapolis, Rockford and settled in Monticello with their...

Leo Elyea

Jan 1, 2022

Leo D Elyea was born as a twin in January of 1936 in Lyons County, WI, to Ted and Ann Elyea. He died in April 2022 at the age of 86 at North Memorial Hospital, Robbinsdale, MN from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. His daughters, Samantha and Shannon remained by his side at North Memorial for 2...

Gail Schultz

Jan 1, 2022

Gail Marie Schultz passed from this world on February 13, 2022, after a courageous battle with Leukemia. She was born in 1952 in Minneapolis, MN, to Loyle and Lola Butcher. The Butcher family moved to Pequot Lakes shortly thereafter and bought Echo Bay Resort on the Whitefish Chain. Gail had many good memories growing up on the resort with...

William Wortham

Jan 1, 2022

William (Bill) R. Wortham II, 85, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 while residing in care at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta, MN. Just as Bill dealt with all experiences in life, he managed his illness with strength and grace. In the end, he wanted to spend as much time with his loved ones as possible...

Irene Vargo

Jan 1, 2022

Irene (Dibble) Vargo, of Pequot Lakes, passed away at home on January 1, 2022 at the age of 86. She was born to Emery and Mary Dibble on July 25, 1934, and was the youngest of 11 children. Irene married Frank Vargo on June 10, 1950, and they were married 70 years. They farmed and raised their family at...

Jennifer Clasen

Jan 1, 2022

Jennifer Denise Clasen (Myers), age 58 went to be with the Lord on January 22, 2022, surrounded by her family and in the loving arms of her husband. Jennifer was born in Worthington, MN in 1963. In the sixth grade, she and her family moved to Pequot Lakes, MN. She had the courage to ask Mike Clasen, her now...

Cecil Coolidge

Jan 1, 2022

Cecil Coolidge of Brainerd passed away at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center on January 17, 2022, at the age of 85. He was the youngest of 4 born to Ruth and Robert Coolidge in Yarnell, WI, in 1936. At the age of 18 he joined the Army, serving time in Germany. After his discharge, he moved to Brainerd where...

Kathleen Kobs

Jan 1, 2022

Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Sharon Kobs died at the age of 84 at home, with daughter, Kris, by her side on June 11, 2022. She also had a wonderful week with her son and then grandson prior to her departure to her final destination.

Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Don Kobs; and is survived by her daughter, Kris;...

Dolores Rager

Dec 31, 2021

Dolores Darlene "Dee" Rager, age 96, of Pequot Lakes, passed away on December 31, 2021 in the care of St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. Dee was born on January 6th, 1925 in Denver, Colorado to Jack and Sylvia Coons. At a young age, the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where she graduated early from Lincoln High School in...

Kimberly Welliver-Brown

Dec 31, 2021

Kimberly Kae Welliver-Brown departed her loving family and friends on December 31st, 2021, at the age of 53. Born in Brainerd, Minnesota, on October 23rd, 1968, to William Welliver and Dixie (Welliver) Pakarinen. Growing up in the Brainerd Lakes Area, Kim graduated from Brainerd High School in 1987. Following graduation, Kim attended Brainerd Vocational School while beginning her 28...

Sharon Rother

Dec 29, 2021

Sharon (Schouveller) Rother, age 81, of Nisswa, MN passed away surrounded by her loving family at home on December 29, 2021. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday January 4, 2022 at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, MN. There will be a Visitation at 10:00 AM, and Mass will begin at 11:00 AM. Lunch and...

Carla Nelson

Dec 29, 2021

Carla Bouchier Nelson, age 70, of Browerville, MN died in the loving presence of family at home on December 29, 2021.

She is survived by her devoted husband Robert Nelson; two children, Charlotte and Derek; three stepchildren: Jamie, Jody, and Alicia; a brother and sister in-law, Mark and Linda; eight grandchildren: Anna, Claire, Emmie, Nolan, Braden, Sophia,...

Rudy A. Bjerga

Dec 26, 2021

Rudy A Bjerga, 79, of Staples, passed away unexpectedly at Lakewood Hospital on December 26, 2021.  Services will take place at 11am on Monday, January 3, 2022, at the Motley Free Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Motley Public Cemetery.

Rudy was born on July 22, 1942, to Mikkel and Leona...

Judith Foy

Dec 26, 2021

Judy Foy, 84, passed away on December 26, 2021 with her husband and daughters by her side at home.

Judy was born on August 16, 1937 in Brainerd, MN to Thomas and Margaret Christopherson. She married Leland Foy in 1955, and they shared 66 wonderful years together.

She is survived by her husband, Leland, her...

Penney Craig

Dec 26, 2021

Penney Craig, 57, of Bemidji, passed away on December 26, 2021. Services will be 1pm on Friday January 14, 2022 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. Visitation will take place one hour prior. Full obituary to follow.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.

Janis Goff

Dec 25, 2021

Janis Mary Goff, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Christmas Day, December 25th, 2021 at Lakewood Care Center in Staples, Minnesota.

Janis was born on February 16th, 1934 in Gwinner, North Dakota to Mabel (Lund) and Gilbert Simon. She graduated from Staples High School where she was a talented member of the school band, choir...

Leonard "Pat" Miller

Dec 25, 2021

L.J.  “Pat” Miller went to be with the Lord on Saturday, December 25th, 2021. He was at the Care Center in Staples, Minnesota.  Pat was 92 years old. Pat was born in Crookston, MN on June 17, 1929. He was the son of N.A. “Sam” Miller and Pearl Miller. The family moved to Staples in the summer of 1939,...

William "Bill" Bush

Dec 25, 2021

William “Bill” Bush, 80, passed away on December 25, 2021. Services will take place at Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd on January 7, 2022. Visitation will take place from 10:00 – 11:00 AM on Friday January 7, 2022, at the church, with the service to follow. A lunch will be at the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel in Baxter following...

Joseph Schumer

Dec 25, 2021

Joseph “Joe” Schumer passed away on Saturday, December 25, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, December 30, 2021, at 11 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Upsala, MN. Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, from 4-8 PM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with parish prayers at 4PM with a Rosary starting at 7:30pm,...

Ruthann Lindstrom

Dec 24, 2021

RuthAnn Lindstrom passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 24, 2021, at her home in Breezy Point, MN, at the age of 65. She was born to Allan and Beverly Mattson on December 16, 1956, in Minneapolis, MN. RuthAnn was a realtor in the area for 28 years. She was a very hard worker, was full of energy and spunk...