Obituaries

Feb 20, 2019

Alice “Sally” LaFrance, 89, with family at her side, passed from this life into the loving arms of God and all who awaited her arrival on February 20, 2019.

Sally was born May 21, 1929 in Duluth, MN to Stanley and Genevieve Chapinski, and graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School.  She met William “Bill” LaFrance, and they...

Feb 20, 2019

Isabella Strugala, 36, of Duluth, passed away on Wednesday February 20, 2019 unexpectedly at home.  She was born in Leoben, Austria on March 27, 1982 to Adam and Halina Strugala.  Isabella graduated from Duluth Central High School in 2000, and from the College of St. Scholastica in 2005 with her Teaching Degree.  She taught 2nd Grade at North Star...

Feb 19, 2019

Dale “Moe” F Nelson 70, passed away on Feb 19, 2019 at Essentia St Mary’s Hospice, with family members at his side. Dale was born in Duluth May 19, 1948 and grew up in Grand Marais, MN. He attended the University of MN Duluth and later enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War.  He served 4 years on...

Feb 14, 2019

Julie Lynn Bassett, 57, of Duluth, died Thursday, February 14, 2019 in Duluth.  She was born November 23, 1961 in Saint Paul, MN. to Leonard M. and Mary Louise (Nimis) Noack.  Julie was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Brenda Noack.  She is survived by her four children:  Brandon (Kathy) Bassett of Wright, MN, Donovan Bassett...

Feb 12, 2019

An obituary is not available at this time for George Neal Birdsong, Jr. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall.

Feb 12, 2019

Pearl Elizabeth Byrns,6-year-old miracle daughter of Sara and Tim Byrns of Duluth, died Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at Essentia St. Mary’s with her family by her side. Pearl was born in Duluth on March 23, 2012 with Patau Syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder.

Given Pearl’s prenatal diagnosis she was not expected to survive her birth, but she...

Feb 9, 2019

Susan (Grady) Mills-Moriarity passed away February 9, 2019 at 99 1/2 years old. Sue was born August 3, 1919 in Duluth, MN to Lela (Farrell) and R. Armistead Grady. She graduated from Stanbrook Hall in 1937, the College of St. Scholastica earning a Bachelor of Science degree, and a Master of Education degree. She taught at Hermantown High School for...

Feb 8, 2019

Gerald Stanley Buchanan, 72, of Duluth passed away Friday, February 8, 2019, at home with his family by his side. He was born October 25, 1946, in Brainerd, MN to Donald and Helen Buchanan. He graduated from Proctor High School before serving in the Army as a chaplain’s assistant. He was the administrator of Viewcrest Nursing Home before owning...

Feb 8, 2019

Lawrence A. Bushey, 85, lifelong resident of Duluth, died Friday February 8, 2019 in St. Luke’s Hospital.  He was born in Duluth on December 4, 1933 to Arthur and Borgil Bushey.  Larry attended UMD and was a Korean War Marine Corps Veteran.  He worked for the Duluth Fire Department retiring as Fire Chief in 1993.  Larry married Roberta “Bobbie”...

Feb 7, 2019

Donna Marjory Spehar passed into the care of our Lord on February 7, 2019. She was born January 22, 1930 in Duluth, Minnesota to Harold and Irene Stenberg. Donna came from a large Irish/Swedish family who nurtured & loved her. She graduated from Denfeld High School in 1949 then continued her higher education at St. Scholastica.

On...

Feb 4, 2019

Marcia H. Tsufis, 88, of Duluth, formerly of Hobe Sound, FL, passed quietly Monday February 4, 2019 at Marywood Assisted Living.  She was born on April 21, 1930 to Ross and Doris Burgess on Clayton, NY.  She is survived by her sister, Patricia George, her son, Marc (Paula) Tsufis, and granddaughters, Pamela (Matthew) Krueger and Catherine (Sam) Lounsbury.

Feb 4, 2019

Lillian G Petrovic, 91 passed away on February 4, 2019 in Cheyenne,WY. She was born November 26, 1927, in Hutter, MN to Elmer and Signe (Pudas) Nelson. She grew up in the Oslo, MN area, but like many of those who grew up in the Depression Era, her family moved many times. After the war, she lived in Eveleth,...

Feb 3, 2019

Doris Lillian Erickson, 92, of Duluth died Sunday, February 3, 2019 at Chris Jensen Health & Rehabilitation Center.  Private family memorial services will be held at a later date.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth, 218-727-3555.

Feb 2, 2019

Cathryn Jean Gardner, 61, of Duluth died Saturday, February 2, 2019 of heart disease complications.  She was a kind and gentle loving soul who loved life and doing her own thing-no stress-no regrets.  She was a 1975 graduate of Moose Lake High School, and had studied at Minot State University in the  Criminal Justice program.  Her best job was as...

Jan 29, 2019

Ronald Earl North, age 82, of Duluth, died Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at St. Luke’s Hospital with his family at his side from complications with cancer.  He was born in Holyoke, MN on June 26, 1936 to Robert A. and Helen R. (Zinter) North.  At age 12 they moved to Superior, WI.  Ron was a graduate of Superior Central. ...

Jan 26, 2019

Lorraine M. Landwehr, 94, formerly of Piedmont Heights, died Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Golden Oaks with her family by her side.

Lorraine was born April 23, 1924 in St. Wendel Township, Minnesota to Albert and Agnes Lodermeier.

Lorraine met Ralph Landwehr and they were married May 21, 1947 in St. Joseph, MN.  They moved...

Jan 20, 2019

Col. James Earl Frazier, 90, of Duluth, died Sunday January 20, 2019 in the Silver Bay Veteran’s Home.  He was born at Fort Snelling on August 30, 1928 to Frederick and Violet Frazier.  Jim joined the Marine Corps at the age of 16 during WWII, serving 5 years active duty and 35 years active reserves, including working at the...

Jan 16, 2019

Joseph D. Robbins, 32 of Duluth died tragically on Wednesday, January 16, 2019 in Duluth.  Joe was born January 8, 1987 in Minneapolis to Joseph D. and Kathleen Robbins.  Joe enjoyed playing basketball, video games, music and hanging out.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Kathleen.

Joe is survived by his...

Jan 13, 2019

Dorothy Piering Lanctot, 91, of Duluth died Jan 13, 2019. She was born March 15, 1927 in Duluth and lived a life filled with music, family, friends and church.  She liked to brag that she sang on the radio when she was 3 years old. She took dance lessons and learned to play the piano at a very young...

Jan 13, 2019

Jerry Leonard died on Sunday, January 13, 2019 of complications brought on by Alzheimer's disease. He was born in Duluth Minnesota on February 15, 1937, the oldest of seven children born to Dell and Kathryn Leonard.  Jerry attended St. Anthony's School, Duluth Cathedral High School and received his B.S. degree from St. John's University in 1959.   Following graduation, he...