Gary Richard Mandelin
Feb 1, 2026
Gary Richard Mandelin passed away on February 1, 2026, at the age of 79. He was a man with a big presence and even bigger opinions—the kind of guy who lived life exactly how he wanted to.
Born in 1946 to Ella and Elmer Mandelin, Gary spent four years in the United States Coast Guard (1965–1969). That time at sea stayed...
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
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
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
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....
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...
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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...
Dorothy 'Saya' Kovich
Jan 13, 2026
With quiet grace and a spirit that never dimmed, Saya Kovich passed away peacefully at the age of 96, leaving behind the warmth she shared with all who knew her.
Born in 1929, Saya lived a life defined by timeless grace, quick wit, and boundless generosity. A devoted member of St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, she was baptized, married, and remained...
Robert "Bob" A. Unzen
Jan 11, 2026
Age 94, passed away on January 11, 2026. He was born in Duluth on July 16, 1931, to Anthony and Dorothy (Coan) Unzen and was a lifelong Duluth resident.
Bob attended the College of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in Accounting. As a CPA, he became a partner at Rauschenfel and Company which became Robert...
Olive Musolf Kirkland
Jan 6, 2026
Olive Musolf Kirkland age 100 of Duluth, passed away surrounded by her family on January 6, 2026. She was born at her grandmother's home in Duluth on December 24, 1925 to parents, Michael and Stella (Mosiniak) Musolf. On February 5, 1955 she married the love of her life, William Kirkland. Together, they raised 6 children as his military career took...
Sandra Carolyn Stowers
Jan 3, 2026
Sandra Carolyn Stowers, age 78 of Duluth passed away on January 3, 2026. She was born in Duluth to parents, Harvey Bourdages and Patricia Falbo.
Sandra is survived by her children, Bobbie Lou Shelton, Andy Jo Shelton, Susane Marie Bright, and Heather Carolyn Grace Leo; many grandchildren and great grand children; siblings, Judy Maynard, Connie Ankarlo, Mary Atwood, Louis Bourdages, and...
Phyllis Ann Sutula
Jan 3, 2026
Garrison Keillor in The Keillor Reader suggests that travel is a liberating art form where you shed your past, finding freedom in anonymity, but also notes the pull of roots, contrasting the "living wander away" with the "dead move in with us to stay".
Phyllis Ann Baker Sutula was born in Little Rock Arkansas on October 30, 1948, and died January...
Quinlan Michael “Mike” Hampston
Jan 3, 2026
Quinlan Michael Hampston, “Mike,” died in the early morning of January 3, 2026. He celebrated his final birthday on December 25, 2025. He was born prematurely to Marguerite Hampston, a homemaker and John Hampston, a WW2 ship builder, on Christmas Day, 1943 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth MN. He was always called Mike.
He is survived by his beloved wife...
David Jon Backman
Jan 2, 2026
David Jon Backman, 79, of Duluth, died Friday, January 2, 2026 in his home with family by his side. David was born in Fergus Falls, MN on April 20, 1946 to Harold and June Backman. David served in the U S Army during Vietnam. He married Cynthia Scott on September 9, 1967 in Babbitt, MN. David owned a wholesale meat...
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