George Benjamin Biron

George B. Biron, 96, of Duluth passed away peacefully on October 20, 2024 at Viewcrest Health Center in Duluth. George was born December 29th,1927 in the family home on Kent Road in Duluth.

After his father died in 1938, George raised rabbits and chickens, and held various odd jobs to help the family. He worked for the Department of Forestry as a teenager and planted many trees throughout the Duluth area. This work inspired a lifelong interest in botany, planting trees and gardening everywhere he lived. He was in the Army 1945-1948 stationed in Japan and ran a PX. Upon discharge he attended the University of Minnesota on the GI Bill while working several jobs. He majored in botany and geology and graduated in 1952.

The family lived in various towns in southern Minnesota and Wisconsin while George was a sales manager for Land O’Lakes. They enjoyed many years at their cabin on the north shore of Lake Superior. After he retired in 1989 he and wife Barbara moved back to Duluth and built a log house on Rice Lake. Throughout his life, George was an avid fisherman, hunter and conservationist. Upon his retirement, due to his extreme love of wood, he sold finished hardwood lumber to the public out of his pole shed. He proudly displayed the many gifts he received from the artisans who crafted beautiful items from his wood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; son, Mark; and two sisters, Jean Hustad and Beverly Wipson. He is also preceded in death by his 10 beloved Golden Retrievers. George is survived by his children, Patricia, Michael (Lois), and David; daughter-in-law, Ann; grandsons, Carey, Ian, Tyler, Odin; 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, October 29th at 12:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 11:00 am in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E Second Street, Duluth. Interment at the MN Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Animal Allies or American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to extend its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Essentia Hospice of Duluth and Viewcrest Health Center of Duluth for their loving attention and care. A special thank you to Dad’s Hospice Nurse Todd. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.