Obituaries

Jun 24, 2018

Gregg Michael Sjelin, 55, of Duluth, passed away on Sunday, June 24, 2018.

At Essentia Health, St. Mary's Hospital, in Duluth. He was born in Duluth on February 15, 1963, to Donald and Maxine (Nelson) Sjelin. He worked many years for his father as a mason.

He found great joy when he was racing his pigeons....

Jun 22, 2018

Kathy Miner passed away June 22, 2018, unexpectedly from heart failure. She was born on August 18, 1932, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in Minneapolis and Duluth, attending Central High School. Her father Robert Fitzgerald was a lineman and her mother Agnes (Moede) retired as a bank officer. She was a beloved wife, mother, aunt, and friend—open-hearted,...

Jun 22, 2018

Sister Mary E. Penrose, formerly Sister Romanus, 93, died June 22, 2018 in Benet Hall at St. Scholastica Monastery. She was born to George and Marjorie Penrose on September 2, 1924 in Crosby, MN.

Mary Eloise graduated from Carlton High School in 1942 and earned a BA in Sociology from The College of St. Scholastica in 1946....

Jun 19, 2018

Terence Virgil Churchill, 78, Duluth, passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at Solvay Hospice House surrounded by his family’s love.  Born June 30, 1939, in Virginia, MN, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Maria Grimm Churchill; his children Mary Kimberly Churchill and Richard Halligan, Timothy John and Leslie Quall Churchill, and Suzanne Churchill Hurin and...

Jun 17, 2018

Dorothy Jean Archer Gorny 88, passed away June 17, 2018.

Dorothy was born and raised in Duluth, Mn. She married her husband in 1951. She had many interests throughout her life. She loved camping, fishing and golfing. She enjoyed needlework and was a wonderful baker. During their retirement years they enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Their...

Jun 17, 2018

Sister Ramona (Mary Elizabeth) Ewing, OSB, died on June 17, 2018 in Benet Hall of St. Scholastica Monastery.  She entered the Duluth Benedictine Community on September 7, 1940 and made her Perpetual Monastic Profession on July 11, 1945. She celebrated her 75th Jubilee of Profession on August 21, 2017.  Mary Elizabeth was born in Nashwauk, Minnesota on October 11,...

Jun 15, 2018

Sister Agnes Alich (formerly Sr. Mary Andrew), 86, died at St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth on Friday, June 15, 2018.  Agnes Amelia Alich was born on a farm near Border, Minnesota on June 10, 1932, one of seven children of John Alich and Delvina (St. Lawrence) Alich.  After attending school in Border and graduating from Indus High School, Agnes...

Jun 15, 2018

Kevin Raymond Theobald, 14, of Hermantown, died Friday, June 15, 2018 at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Memorial Day.  He was born in Duluth on January 8, 2004 to Martin and Teresa (Foos) Theobald.  He had just completed the eighth grade at Hermantown Middle School. Kevin was a happy,...

Jun 13, 2018

James Edward “Jimmy” Peterson, 61, of Loman MN, passed away on Wednesday June 13, 2018 in Essentia Health, St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth.  He was born on November 27, 1956 to Clayton and Bette Peterson in International Falls, MN.  Jim graduated from Indus School.   He married Vicki Boquist on June 7, 1975 in International Falls, MN.  He was owner...

Jun 12, 2018

Mary Ellen Wilson, 77, of Duluth passed away peacefully with family by her side on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.  She was born in Duluth to Erwin and Ellen Wentzlaff on July 31, 1940.

Mary Ellen grew up in Deerwood, MN and graduated from Crosby- Ironton High School.  She attended St. Luke’s School of Nursing.  She then met...

Jun 7, 2018

Patricia Therese Grady "Pat", 89, of Duluth, passed away peacefully with twin daughters Patti and Paula by her side on Thursday, June 07, 2018.  She was born in Duluth to Peter and Anna Matchefts on October 20, 1928.

Pat was the mother everybody wishes they could have. The six children were her everything. She ruled the roost...

Jun 5, 2018

Edward “Eddy” Anthony Tezak, Jr., 71, of Duluth passed away suddenly in his home on Tuesday, June 5, 2018.  He was born January 25, 1947 in Duluth to Edward and Christine (Koprivnik) Tezak and was raised in Ely, MN.  He was drafted into the US Army and served in the Vietnam Era.  He married Linda Johnson July 26, 1967...

Jun 2, 2018

Paula Darlene Nelson-Guenther, 78, of Duluth, Minnesota, passed away on June 2, 2018.

Born in Novinger, Missouri, Paula attended Northeast Missouri State University (Truman State University), and graduated with a master’s degree in music history and piano.

She met James L. Nelson, in Kirksville, Missouri, and after living in Columbia, Missouri; Springfield, Missouri; and Normal, Illinois; Jim and Paula...

Jun 2, 2018

Michael Ray Marchand “Whitey”, 66, of Minneapolis, born March 4, 1952 in Duluth, MN, was called home peacefully to be with God on June 2, 2018 after a courageous battle with liver cancer.

Born and raised in the Northland, and proud of it, Mike spent his youth in Duluth and in the last few years lived in...

Jun 1, 2018

John Frank Steffl, a great artist and kind person, John Frank Steffl, died June 1 in his home with his wife at his bedside.  John was born December 29, 1948, in Mankato, Minn., to Ray and Betty Steffl. He received a BA in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing (cum laude) at Mankato State, before coming to the University of Minnesota...

May 30, 2018

Melvin Erling Bergman, 89, of Duluth died peacefully, May 30, 2018 at Ecumen Lakeshore Health & Rehabilitation Center.  He was born October 29, 1928 in Virginia, MN to Erick Anders and Alma Linnea (Kamb) Bergman.  Mel married Madonna M. Weber August 20, 1955 in Austin MN.

Mel dedicated his career to teaching business and accounting at Duluth Central...

May 28, 2018

Pat was born on June 14, 1938 and died on May 28, 2018. Pat spent seven years in the US Marine Reserves and was a self-employed businessman. He owned several cosme­tology schools in Duluth and the Iron Range and a hair salon. He was a very active member of St. John's Catholic Church and a member of the Fran­ciscans....

May 25, 2018

Robert Morris ("Morrie") Johnson, 90, of Duluth, MN, passed away on May 25, 2018.   Morrie was born March 22, 1928, the only child of J. Morry and Olive Johnson.   He grew up on Grandview Avenue in the Chester Park neighborhood and attended Chester Park Elementary School, Duluth East Junior High School, and Duluth Central High School, graduating in 1946. ...

May 22, 2018

Arlo Lavern Danielson, 88, of Duluth, passed away peacefully at Ecumen Lakeshore Assisted Living on May 22, 2018. Arlo was born January 19, 1930 to Andrew and Lillian Danielson on their family farm in Big Stone County, MN. Arlo graduated from Ortonville High School in 1947. Upon graduating from high school, he bought a farm in Big Stone County,...

May 22, 2018

Helen C. Davis, a 90-year Duluth resident, passed away in Ridgecrest, California at age 99.  She lived in her own home until age 97.  She was a 1937 Duluth Central High School graduate, graduate of the Duluth Business School, and long-time member of Adas Israel Congregation.  Always quick to express her opinions on the news of the day, she...