Obituaries

Jul 3, 2024

Raymond Joseph Blesener passed away at 2:30pm on Wednesday 3 July 2024. Raymond served in the US Navy and was a Navigator on the A3D flying from USS Forrestal CVA59 naval aircraft carrier. Raymond was a self-taught registered Architect and over the years had several architectural firms. Raymond was president of SARA (Society of American registered Architects) and won multiple...

Jul 2, 2024

Vernon Amundson, 87 years old, of Tower, Minnesota and Sarasota, Florida, passed away peacefully at his lake home in Tower on July 2, 2024, with family at his side holding his hands. He was a Duluthian by birth, son of Benjamin and Esther Amundson, and lived and worked there until his retirement. Vernon married his Duluth East High School sweetheart,...

Jun 30, 2024

Judith A. Kelley, 74, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at home on June 30th, 2024.

Born to Lawrence and Lorraine (Hagen) Estness on October 11th, 1949, Judy graduated from Hermantown High School. She will be remembered for being an amazingly loving and caring person, not only for her family, but for everyone she knew. Judy was...

Jun 27, 2024

Shirley Ann (Stretar) Balach, 100, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27. Loved by many, “Shirley Girly” above all treasured her family, godchildren, and friends at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church. Shirley went above and beyond with her generosity, always remembering loved ones on special occasions and freely giving her time at church. She welcomed everyone into her home with...

Jun 27, 2024

Harriet Ann Miller, 90 of Duluth, passed away peacefully with family by her side, Thursday, June 27, 2024. Harriet was born in Hatton, ND, on July 16, 1933, to Hans and Anna Gilberts Grimson.

 Harriet was a farm girl from North Dakota who graduated from Hatton High School in 1951. After graduating she attended Wahpeton North Dakota State College of Science....

Jun 26, 2024

Mary Kay Finnegan, 66, peacefully passed on Wednesday, June 26, in the compassionate care of her family. 

She was born on November 28, 1957, in Virginia, Minnesota. She attended Virginia schools and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism. As a devout Catholic who loved God with all her heart, Mary donated...

Jun 25, 2024

Jun 25, 2024

Brian “Chino” Thomas Allen, 44, of Duluth, Minnesota passed away on June 25, 2024 from a broken heart. He was born in Richland, WA to Thomas and Francis Allen. He grew up and lived in AZ, OR, WA and when he was in the 6th grade he made Duluth, MN his home where he graduated from Denfeld High School 1998.

Brian...

Jun 24, 2024

Sister Arlene Kleemann, 80, died peacefully at the Monastery on June 24, 2024 in her 61st year of monastic profession. Born January 2, 1944 to George and Evelyn (Heyden) Kleemann, she and her brother George grew up in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Invited by her 7th grade Benedictine teacher to visit the Benedictine motherhouse in Duluth, she began considering...

Jun 23, 2024

Sherald Eugene Kimball, 88, passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 23, 2024 at St Luke’s hospital. He was born near Backus, MN on August 7, 1935 the son of Edwin and Zelma Kimball.

Sherald was drafted in the U.S. Army in 1958 stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. He was a truck driver at an early age, driving...

Jun 22, 2024

We heartbreakingly announce the unexpected passing of Matthew Joseph Maurer, age 44, of Duluth, MN after suffering sudden heart failure. He was born in St. Cloud, MN to Kevin and Linda Maurer. When Matt was six years old the family moved to a small farm in Hibbing, MN. Matt often talked about playing in the barn with his sisters and...

Jun 19, 2024

Thomas M. Grier passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday June 19, 2024, in his residence. Tom was born in Minneapolis to Rodney Fellows Grier and Anne Bugocki Grier on November 6, 1954. He graduated from Hopkins High School and earned a BS in biology and chemistry and a Master of Science degree from the U of M Duluth. He worked for...

Jun 13, 2024

Drexel Harold Bodin, 85, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully on June 13th, 2024.

Born November 5th, 1938, to Harold and Grace (Melstrand) Bodin in Duluth, Drexel graduated from Duluth Denfeld. After high school, Drexel enlisted in the Army National Guard while going to school at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he graduated with his degree in chemistry. 

Drexel spent much of...

Jun 12, 2024

Kevin Mark Johnson, 54, entered into eternal life at Oak Grove, MN on June 12, 2024.

He was born to Harlan and Jean Johnson in Duluth MN on May 18, 1970 on his mother's birthday.

As a youngster he participated in youth soccer and his church's Cub Scout Pack. He was a graduate of Duluth East High School where he sang with...

Jun 11, 2024

Jane Marie Danielson Carr, 76, of Duluth, Minnesota passed away on June 11, 2024 after a struggle with lung disease.  Jane was the oldest of five children born to Ernie and Crick Danielson.  She is preceded in death by her daughter Clarice Petersen and her parents.  She is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Madeline Petersen, stepchildren Will (Kim) Carr,...

Jun 7, 2024

Mary Stoyanoff Petrich, a cherished matriarch, community pillar, and beacon of kindness, passed away Friday, June 7, surrounded by love and comfort. Born on July 12, 1928, to Chris and Bozana Stoyanoff, Mary's journey began above the family-run Home Restaurant in Gary New Duluth, a place that would shape her strong sense of community and family values. Mary's educational pursuits...

Jun 7, 2024

Duluth attorney Robert Kaner, 76, passed away on June 7, 2024. He was a graduate of UMD and the University of Minnesota law school and practiced law for over 50 years in Duluth.  Bob served in the 148th Air Squadron Duluth MN Air National Guard from 1968-1974. He was predeceased by his parents, Sidney and Sophie Kaner and is survived...

May 28, 2024

Melody Lynn Miller, 61, of Duluth, MN passed away peacefully at her home on May 28th, 2024. 

She was born on July 15th, 1962, to Edward and Juanita (Wilcox) Miller in Des Moines, IA. At a young age she was known as the class clown and would stand up to anyone who was bullying. 

At the age of 27, she gave birth...

May 28, 2024

Baby Jahseh Michael Wall passed away on May 28, 2024. Preceded in death by great-grandmother, Jill Wall. He is survived by his mother, Makayla Wall; brother, Armani Rivera; grandparents, Jennifer McCalister, Jessi Melton, Mike Winter, Andrew McCalister and Terry Garramone; along with many loving great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and extended family members. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00pm on...

May 27, 2024

Catherine “Dolly” Alice Laughlin, of Duluth, was taken to heaven on Monday May 27, 2024, from Ecumen Rehab in Duluth, MN following a brief struggle with metastatic cancer.  Dolly was born at home on May 29, 1936, in Buffalo, NY to John J Fahey and Catherine (Leahy) Fahey.  

Dolly graduated from Sisters of Charity Hospital nursing program in 1957 and...