Obituaries

Gary Richard Mandelin

Gary Richard Mandelin

Feb 1, 2026

Gary Mandelin passed away on February 1, 2026, at the age of 79. He was a man with a big presence and a wealth of stories—the kind of guy who lived life on his own terms, but whose greatest purpose and pride was always his family.

Born in 1946 to Ella and Elmer Mandelin, Gary spent four years in the United...

Jeris Jeffrey Alan Cozzi

Jeris Jeffrey Alan Cozzi

Jan 18, 2026

Jeris Jeffrey Alan Cozzi, age 42 of Duluth died unexpectedly while on vacation in the Caribbean, on January 18, 2026. He was born in Duluth on September 13, 1983 to parents, Jeffrey “Flash” and Cindy (Olson) Cozzi. He lived life with an unmistakable spark that drew people in and stayed with them long after. His early years shaped him, but...

Paul V Merritt

Paul V Merritt

Jan 29, 2026

Passed peacefully in the night on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the age of 91. Loving husband, father, friend and uncle. He was the youngest son of Donald and Neva (Griner) Merritt born on May 5, 1934. Paul grew up in Clover Valley and attended Clover Valley High School. At age 17 he started working in Silver Bay as a...

Marie Garofalo

Marie Garofalo

Dec 14, 2025

Marie Garofalo, 100, passed peacefully in her home. She was born February 17, 1925 in Duluth to Anthony(Tony) and Helen Garofalo. Marie grew up in Gary-New Duluth and was a life-long member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. Marie attended Stowe School and was a 1943 graduate of Morgan Park High School. Marie worked for her father’s business, Hamm’s Beer Distributive...

Donald James Behling

Donald James Behling

Jan 20, 2026

Donald James Behling passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 20, 2026. Don was born to Edward and Helen Behling on August 8, 1943. He graduated from Central High School in 1961 and UMD in 1966 with a degree in industrial arts education, as well as a master’s degree in education. He taught at Ordean Jr....

Kayla Marie Roettger

Kayla Marie Roettger

Feb 1, 2026

Kayla Marie Roettger, age 36 of Duluth, passed away unexpectedly on February 1, 2026. She was born in Brainerd, MN on May 24, 1989 to parents Matt Lee and Shelly Roettger. She lived in Duluth for most of her life, graduating from Denfeld in 2007. Kayla experienced challenges early in life that shaped her with empathy and understanding. Through strength...

Diane Mary Drexler

Diane Mary Drexler

Jan 28, 2026

God called Diane Mary Drexler (Stadther) home on January 28, 2026 at the age of 89.

She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Diane was born to Dolores and Norbert Stadther on Aug 31,1936. She was raised in St. Cloud, MN with her younger siblings Judy and Tom.

Diane met her beloved husband Charlie on a blind date at the Bloody Bucket...

Gayle A Nelsen

Gayle A Nelsen

Jan 31, 2026

Gayle Dahlgren Nelsen, Hermantown, MN, age 89 entered into eternal rest on January 31, 2026. Born August 9,1936, in Grand Rapids, MN to Elmer and Cordelia (Jewett) Dahlgren.

Gayle was best known for her welcoming, selfless and generous heart. She enjoyed gardening, all of her beloved dogs, entertaining and playing cribbage. Most of all, she cherished spending time with her family...

Judy Allyce Seppo

Judy Allyce Seppo

Jan 22, 2026

Judy Allyce Seppo, age 78 of Duluth died on January 22, 2026. She was born in Duluth on May 20, 1947 to parents, Richard and Denise (Olson) Powell. She attended Central High School, where she met and fell in love with Steven. They were married on June 17, 1967 and had three beautiful children together. Judy was a talented musician...

Dr. William "Bill" George Merrick

Dr. William "Bill" George Merrick

Jan 26, 2026

Dr. William G. “Bill” Merrick, 93, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 26, 2026, at Mount Royal Pines III Assisted Living. He was born on March 26, 1932, to Fred and Jessie Merrick in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

After earning his Bachelor of Science and M.D. degrees from the University of Manitoba, Bill married Joyce Farmer on June 14, 1958, while...

Rita Marie Herald

Rita Marie Herald

Jan 10, 2026

Rita Marie Herald, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on January 10, 2026, in Duluth, Minnesota. She was born June 3, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, and moved at a young age with her parents to Duluth, where she was raised and made her lifelong home.

Rita attended Sacred Heart School and later Cathedral High School. She...

Marianne L. H. Rheinberger

Marianne L. H. Rheinberger

Jan 31, 2026

Marianne L. H. Rheinberger passed away on January 31, 2026 at the age of 93. She was born in Duluth, MN to parents, Alvin and Edna Hoiem on February 12, 1932. She married Max Charles Rheinberger, Jr. on August 22, 1964. She graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a degree in speech correction. She was a loyal member...

Stephen Boone Wallace

Stephen Boone Wallace

Jan 30, 2026

Stephen Boone Wallace, born March 16, 1949, in Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on January 30, 2026.Stephen was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Bette Combs, and the love of his life, his wife, Barbara Lenore Wallace. Their reunion brings comfort to those who loved him deeply.He is survived by his three sons, David, Patrick, and Chris Wallace, and his...

Patricia Louise Wotruba

Patricia Louise Wotruba

Jan 28, 2026

Patricia Louise Wotruba, age 72 of Knife River, passed away peacefully in her home on January 28, 2026. She was born in Duluth, MN on May 21, 1953 to parents, George & Bernadine (Nesgoda) Balmer. Pat was a 1971 graduate of Proctor High School. She married the love of her life, Joseph Wotruba, outside, on a beautiful, sunny day in...

Christy "Chris" Jo Conlan

Christy "Chris" Jo Conlan

2026

Passed away on January 27, 2026, at the age of 75. Chris loved her family, friends, and the outdoors—especially fishing and camping. She was an amazing wife, mom, sister, grandma, and friend. She is survived by her spouse of 53 years, Mike; two children; sister, Becky (Joe) of AZ; brother, Alton (Alex) of MN; and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and...

Carol Nicholson Fryberger

Carol Nicholson Fryberger

Jan 24, 2026

Carol Nicholson Fryberger lived her life with generosity, humility, empathy, selflessness, clarity of thought, courage, and a strong sense of purpose. Her 86 years were centered around caring for others, championing their achievements and guiding them through their challenges. She rarely spoke of herself and generally shunned recognition. Granted, she could be a tough and astute critic, but always did...

Douglas Michael Johnson, Sr.

Douglas Michael Johnson, Sr.

Jan 22, 2026



Douglas Michael Johnson Sr., 59, of Hillman, MN, passed away after a long illness on Thursday January 22, 2026, in Aspirus Health, St. Luke’s Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on August 21, 1966, to Lyle Johnson and Carol Driscoll in Duluth, MN.

During his childhood, Doug attended Northwestern School District, in Maple WI as well as Two Harbors...

Mary Lou Sabroski

Mary Lou Sabroski

Jan 21, 2026

Mary Lou Sabroski, 93, of Duluth, passed away on January 21, 2026, at Mount Royal Pines Assisted Living in Duluth, Minnesota.

She was born in Duluth to Byron and Addie (Bills) Armstrong on February 13, 1932. She attended Stanbrook Hall High School. Upon graduation in 1949, she joined the St. Scholastica Monastery and was given the name Sister Sarah. In 1952,...

JoAnn Carolyn Chesser

JoAnn Carolyn Chesser

Jan 16, 2026

JoAnn Chesser, 89, passed away peacefully with family by her side at Diamond Willow, Proctor on January 16, 2026, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

JoAnn lived a life grounded in kindness, service, and a deep commitment to her family and community. Guided by her faith and a lifelong dedication to helping others, JoAnn was deeply involved at St. Paul’s Episcopalian...

Barbara Jeanne Kennedy

Barbara Jeanne Kennedy

Jan 16, 2026

Barbara Jeanne Kennedy age 91 of Mahtowa, died on January 16, 2026 at the Cloquet Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. She was born in Minneapolis on May 6, 1934 to parents, Harry and Mabel Pearson. She was raised in Northeast Minneapolis where she graduated from Edison High School in 1952. This is where she met the love...