All Obituaries

Diane Marie Kubiak, age 78, of Duluth, Minnesota died December 27, 2019. She was born to Marian and Ray Mickolajak in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School in the class of 1959. She spent many years working as an administrative assistant and at the Glass Block department store in the Miller Hill Mall. She was a very loving mother who enjoyed spending time with her family in Duluth, Minneapolis, and the Gunflint Trail. Diane spent the last few years living in Edina,...

Elizabeth A. “Lisa” Maki, 62, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Saturday January 18, 2020 surrounded by her family at Essentia Health/St. Mary’s Hospital.  She was born in Duluth on October 26, 1957 to Ray and Marian Johnston.  Lisa graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1976.  She was employed as a nursing assistant for 24 years.  Lisa married Thomas Maki on April 29, 1989 in Duluth.  She loved her grandchildren and played a big role in...

Helen (Bailey) Hanten, 92, of Duluth, former UMD Professor and Deacon at St. Andrews by the Lake, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 2, 2020 at Lakeshore Ecumen, with family by her side. She was ready to meet God. She was born March 19, 1927 in Caspian MI to Carlton and Katherine Bailey. She had 3 siblings, Thelma, Carlton Jr. (Bill) and John (Nick). Helen grew up in the Upper Peninsula and graduated Salutatorian from Stambaugh High School in 1945. She attended college at UW Madison,...

Ben Levine, 94, died at home on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020. Ben was born in Duluth on Sept. 6th, 1925 to Israel and Molly Levine. He graduated from Duluth Central High School where he was a handsome football star. After high school he attended the Guthrie Art School before leaving school to fight in WWII. He was severely wounded and received a purple heart. He survived to come home and marry his sweetheart, Shirley Keil. He went to work for his father-in-law who owned the Duluth Furniture...

Dorothy Marie Thomas Gunderson Jaret, 96, of Duluth, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Proctor.  She was born in Duluth on December 19, 1923 to the late Louis and Anna (Prybelski) Thomas.  She lived in Duluth most of her life, attending St. James Catholic School and Denfeld High School.  She married Wayne E. Gunderson on May 8, 1944 and they had 26 years...

Ilene Frances Anderson, 92 of Duluth, passed Ilene passed away peacefully at Edgewood Vista on January 16th, 2020. She was born in Duluth on December 21, 1927, to William and Alma Grondahl. Ilene accepted the lord Jesus at a young age while attending Bethel. While working as a phone operator for Ma Bell, she met her future husband, Vern, never dreaming of the vibrant, loving, and long marriage of over 70 years. Back in their early days together Ilene enjoyed lots of outdoor time with Vern,...

Vernice Cecelia (Karlinski) Brophy, 92, passed away peacefully, after a long and richly lived life, on Friday, January 17, 2020 while living at Bayshore Health Center. Vernice was born on June 22, 1927 to Nick and Frances (Bartylla) Karlinski in Duluth. She grew up in Gary/New Duluth, graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1945. She married her high school sweet heart, Bob Brophy, on October 28, 1950. Bob and Vernice shared a good life, raising their three children in the home they had...

Wayne A. “Buck” Hirdler, 53, of Esko, passed away on Tuesday January 14, 2020 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, MN, from complications of Pancreatic Cancer.  He was born in Bemidji, MN on January 27, 1966 to Arthur and Carol Hirdler.  Buck graduated from Cloquet High School.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching football, working on cars, time spent with his family and especially his grandchildren.  Buck was very handy and could accomplish anything he...

Russell A. Schramm, 81, of Duluth, passed away with family by his side Monday, January 13, 2020. Russ was born in Duluth to Albert and Olga on August 13, 1938. Russ worked 20 plus years at Cub Foods and was a proud Veteran of the Marines. He enjoyed spending time at the lake, hunting, fishing, coaching, watching sports, and most importantly spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Evelyn, Margaret, Lois, Donald, Richard. Russ is survived by...

George Clement Radzak, 87, of Duluth, died Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center.  He was born March 11, 1932 in Harvey, Illinois to Clement and Polly Radzak.  George moved to Duluth where he attended Duluth Denfeld High School and attended UMD.  George worked for the City of Duluth in the Engineering Department as the Office Engineer. George was an Lt. Col Air Fighter Pilot in the 148th Duluth Air Guard for 25 years and also was a...