Obituaries

Jan 16, 2020

Virginia “Ginny” M. Smith, 96 of Duluth, died Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 at Solvay Hospice House with her family by her side.  Ginny was born July 10, 1923 in Duluth to Clifford and Madeline Hagberg.  She was a graduate of Duluth Denfeld High School.  Ginny and Robert “Bob” Smith were married on Sept. 19, 1942.  While Bob was serving...

Jan 14, 2020

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...

Jan 13, 2020

Bonnie Mae (Udenberg) Gibson, 74, of Duluth, passed away, Monday, January 13, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital ICU with her husband and children by her side. Bonnie grew us in Silver Creek area and graduated from Two Harbors High School.

She worked in Duluth as a Secretary for a paper product company, Duluth School systems, and in...

Jan 13, 2020

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,...

Jan 12, 2020

Janell Lynn Ward, 57, 0f Duluth, died Sunday, January 12, 2020 at Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center.  She was born in Alexander, Minn. March 26, 1962 to Gilbert Edgar and Elaine Elizabeth (Geist) Ward.  Janell was a waitress at Jim’s Hamburger for many years and at The Chalet Lounge for 18 years.  She enjoyed pool, gardening, arts and...

Jan 9, 2020

William “Bill” Gitar, 69, of Duluth, passed away in Remer, MN, on Thursday, January 9th.  He received the best possible care there by the dedicated staff at Americare Lodge. He was born in Duluth on May 3, 1950 to Kenneth and Lorraine Gitar.  Bill worked at St. Mary’s Hospital as an emergency room doctor. He served twice as a live-in physician...

Jan 9, 2020

Thomas “Tommy” F. O’Neill, 69 of Duluth, passed away with family by his side on Thursday, Jan. 9th   under the care of St. Luke’s Hospice at Viewcrest Health Center.  Tommy was born May 21, 1950 in Duluth to John W. and Joan O’Neill.  He was a 1968 graduate of Cathedral High School.   After graduation, Tommy attended The Duluth Vocational...

Jan 9, 2020

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...

Jan 4, 2020

Joan Drannen Johnson was born in Duluth, Minnesota on April 26, 1930 to George and Mabel Drannen.  She passed away on January 4, 2020 at Primrose Retirement Community.  For the first five years of her life she lived in the Riverside neighborhood of Duluth.  In 1935 Mabel's parents needed help running their general store, Atkinson Mercantile, in Atkinson, MN,...

Jan 2, 2020

June M. Edwards, 92 formerly of Duluth Heights, died Thursday, Jan. 2nd at Diamond Willow, Lester Park, with her family by her side.  June was born May 6, 1927 in Duluth to James and Esther Nordland.  She was a 1945 graduate of Duluth Central. June met John Edwards and they were married on Oct. 26, 1946 in Duluth.  She...

Jan 2, 2020

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....

Jan 1, 2020

Maria Cecilia Mahl, 77, passed away surrounded by her family on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 at Essentia Health St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota.

Cecilia met and married Dick Mahl while she was completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and he was serving in the U.S. Navy in the Philippines.  She later earned her...

Dec 31, 2019

Khalil Winston Lamar Oliver, 2 months, passed away unexpectedly December 31, 2019.

Kahlil was born in Duluth to Dontez Oliver and Ashley Lamar on October 17, 2019.

He was preceded in death by papa Johnny Miles, uncle Winston McCrary, great grandpa Ronnie

Kahlil is survived by his parents, Ashley Lamar and Dontez Oliver;...

Dec 29, 2019

John "Jack" W. Kirkhus, 87, of Duluth, died peacefully on Sunday, December 29th, 2019 in Essentia Medical Center with his wife and constant companion of the past 56 years by his side holding his hand.  Our hearts are sad to see him leave us but we are comforted by the fact that he can rest peacefully.

John...

Dec 27, 2019

Joyce Goldberg (Miller) passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, December 27 th .  She was 84 years old.   Joyce was born on October 2, 1935 in Watseka, IL – the beloved only child of Essyl and Henry (Boney) Miller and was raised in Donovan, IL.  Joyce grew up on a farm and acquired the many skills...

Dec 27, 2019

Joe Ann Patricia Hernandez, 40, of Duluth, passed away on December 27, 2019.  Joeann was born in Duluth, on May 27, 1979.

She enjoyed shopping, getting her nails and hair done, volunteering for non-profits, and most importantly spending time with her daughter Tiarah.

She was preceded in death by mother, Victoria; and brother, James Kenneth...

Dec 27, 2019

Diane Marie (Mickolajak) 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...

Dec 22, 2019

Marcus Leroy Marjala “Mark”, 92, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, December 22, 2019.

Mark was a proud, life-long resident of Duluth. Born on November 23, 1927 to Matt and Hilda Marjala. Mark grew up in Gary New Duluth, graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1946, and enrolled in Dunwoody Institute. After Dunwoody, Mark...

Dec 22, 2019

Margaret “Marge” E. Borgen, 84, formerly of Hermantown, died Sunday, Dec, 22nd at her daughter Laurie’s house after a long illness, with her family by her side.  Marge was born Aug. 16, 1935 in Long Prairie to Edward and Susan so.  She was raised in Long Prairie, where she graduated from Long Prairie High School.  She met, Walter Borgen...

Dec 22, 2019

Elaine Marie (Johnson) Hanson, age 93, of Duluth, MN passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Solvay Hospice Home. Elaine was born on February 17th, 1926 to Axel E. and Lillian Johnson in Duluth, MN. She graduated from Duluth Central High School and the University of MN School of Nursing. She worked for the American Red Cross in...