Obituaries

John Smuk passed away April 2nd at the age of 89. He led a very full and adventurous life and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

John graduated from high school in Aurora, MN in 1950. He attended St. Thomas College in St. Paul for two years prior to transferring to Michigan College of Mining...

Brandon Scott Gooley was born on March 8, 1984, to the proud parents of George L. Gooley and Lynette Gooley.  Brandon weighed 10 lbs, 3.5 ounces at birth and the doctor, jokingly, in the delivery room asked if what are you going to name him, "Bruiser."

Brandon began playing sports at 5 years old on the basketball...

William “Billy” Robert Saker, 50 of Duluth, died in September in Duluth.

Bill was born November 5, 1966 in Duluth to Laurel and Marie Saker.  He graduated from Duluth East and received degree in Geography from University of Wisconsin, River Falls.

Billy wore many hats; working as a cook, maintenance man, online gamer, ski bum...

Fredrick James Curtis Jr, age 88 of Hermantown, MN passed away January 8,2018 with his family by his side.   Born September 22, 1929 in Duluth, MN to Fred and Mabel Curtis.  The love of his life was his wife of 65 years, Joan, who preceded him in death May 2015.

Fred’s big heart touched many lives. He...

He was born February 10, 1955 in Long Beach, California. Not long thereafter, his parents wisely got the hell out of California and moved to Duluth, Minnesota, his mother’s hometown.

Gary attended Sacred Heart Junior High and Duluth Cathedral High School, graduating in 1973. He always kept a warm spot in his heart for the nuns who...

Iola Jean (Wahli) Vanstrom passed away peacefully in her Duluth home, at the age of 84, following a six-year struggle with mixed Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Neal; her children, Karen (Tokin), Peter, Laura (McCormick), and Janice; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; her sisters, Lorna and Lorraine; and many nieces...

Susan “Sue” M. Running, 73 of Duluth died Monday, Nov. 4 th at Essentia, St. Mary’s after a long battle with cancer with her family by her side.  Sue was born Dec. 18, 1945 in Duluth to Don and Eda Dahl.  She was a Denfeld graduate, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from UMD and her Masters of Education...

Robin L. Anderson, went to be with the Lord on December 29, 2021, under the care of Beehive Homes in Duluth at age 74. Robin was born July 25, 1947 to Herb and Gayle Gerber and grew up in the Lakeside neighborhood. When she was 9, her parents blessed her with a sister and best friend, Sandy Uttley.  As...