Obituaries

Dec 17, 2015

Gordon “Buster” Ellestad, 88, of Two Harbors has been called to heaven to be reunited with his wife, Lila, the love of his life for 56 plus years, who he has missed deeply since her passing in 2004.  He is now at peace beside her and the Lord.

He was born March 1, 1927 to Fred and...

Dec 12, 2015

Florence Johnson, 96, of Burnsville, formerly of Two Harbors, Superior, and Eagan, died peacefully on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at her home with her family at her side.

She was born on March 2, 1919 to Gilbert and Emma (West) Peterson in Two Harbors where she grew up and attended schools, graduating in 1937.  On April 9,...

Dec 12, 2015

Paul Richard Johnson passed away peacefully in Hospice care at Barross Manor on December 12, 2015.

Paul was born on November 8, 1944, to Harry and Eva (Holmgren) Johnson of Two Harbors.  He graduated from Two Harbors High School in 1962 after which he completed studies at the Minnesota School of Business.  Following a few years in...

Dec 10, 2015

Marion Sellman, 87, of Two Harbors passed away peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 10, 2015 with her daughters by her side.

She was born on June 21, 1928 to John and Mary Wikholm, and grew up on a farm in Wales raising sheep. After attending a one room schoolhouse in Wales, MN she graduated from...

Dec 7, 2015

Clifford Bergman, 77, Two Harbors, died peacefully on Monday, December 7, 2015 at his home.

Cliff was born on December 2, 1938 to Edward and Esther (Midtlyng) Bergman in Two Harbors, where he was a life-long resident. He was employed at various jobs through the years including many years as a baker at Lex’s Bakery, and later...

Dec 6, 2015

Thomas E. Backman, 92, of Two Harbors, MN died on Dec. 5, 2015 at the Minnesota State Veterans Home in Silver Bay, MN.

He was born on April 22, 1923 in Chisholm, MN, the 9th child of 12 children born to Axel and Elin Backman.  Tom graduated from Chisholm High School in 1941, and enlisted in the...

Dec 2, 2015

Alice Jane (Craig) Bursch passed away peacefully in Hospice Care at St. Luke’s Hospital on December 2, 2015.

Alice Jane Craig Bursch was born on May 16, 1937 to Hedin and Esther (Anderson) Kragh in Two Harbors, MN. She graduated from U.M.D. in 1959 with degrees in piano and vocal performance. She married James Bursch in 1959...

Nov 29, 2015

Annemarie Meissner, 89, of Grand Marais died peacefully on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at home with her eldest daughter.

She was born on June 1, 1926 to Hermann and Elsa (Hannemann) Lipek in Stettin, Germany.  Annemarie, along with 3 brothers and 2 sisters, lived on an island located in a branch of the Oder River close to...

Nov 26, 2015

Fred Hall, 100, of Brimson, died Thursday, November 26, 2015 in Two Harbors.

He was born April 6, 1915 to Arvid and Anna (Talvitie) in Brimson where he was a lifelong resident.  He attended Bassett School and Petrell School #55.  Fred was a self-employed logger and dirt contractor, and he worked on the construction of Reserve Mining...

Nov 26, 2015

Whitey Dockan, 93, of Grand Marais, passed away at the North ShoreCare Center at 6:45 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015.

He was born July 20, 1922 to Andrew and Annette (Anderson) Dockanin St. Paul.  In 1929 his family traded their home for a farm and relocated to Willow River, MN where he attended school.  After leaving...

Nov 22, 2015

Aidan Mueller, age 3 months, of Two Harbors, died unexpectedly on Sunday at Lake View Memorial Hospital in Two Harbors.

He was born in Duluth on August 13, 2015 to Amanda Mueller and Dustin Henschel.

He will also be lovingly remembered by his sister and brothers, Allison, Logan and Brandon Henschel; grandparents, Terry and Jan...

Nov 19, 2015

Hannah Marie Minson Irvin, 36, of Hovland, Minnesota, passed away at North Shore Hospital on November 19, 2015, surrounded by beloved family and friends.

Hannah was born in Independence, Missouri on July 12, 1979 to Gary and Joyce (Montgomery) Minson of Abilene, Kansas, their second child and first daughter.

Hannah was married to Charles Jason...

Nov 13, 2015

Phyllis Erholtz, 89, of Two Harbors, died Friday, November 13, 2015 at Ecumen Scenic Shores in Two Harbors.

She was born on August 14, 1926 to Samuel and Sophie (Swenson) Hastings in Two Harbors, where she grew up and attended schools.  After high school she was employed as telephone operator for the D M & I R...

Nov 9, 2015

Harold M. Koepp, 87, Silver Bay, died Monday November 9, 2015 at Carefree Living.

He was born January 15, 1928 to William and Emma (Severt) Koepp in Barron, Wisconsin, where he grew up and attended school. After moving to Silver Bay, he was employed by Reserve Mining for about 30 years until the...

Nov 1, 2015

James "Jim" Bradley Corwin, 65, of Silver Bay, MN died November 1, 2015. He majored in finance at Moorhead State University, where he was a charter member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

Jim met the love of his life, Deborah Forsythe, at MSU, and the two married on July 17, 1971.

The...

Oct 26, 2015

Herb Pierson, 86, of Duluth Township, died peacefully Monday, October 26, 2015 at his home.

He was born on November 20, 1928 to Oliver and Mary (Lombardy) Pierson in Duluth, where he grew up and attended schools.  After high school Herb served in the Marine Reserves for two years, until being drafted into the U. S. Army. ...

Oct 22, 2015

Drew Johnson, 31, of Silver Bay died Thursday, October 22, 2015 due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

He was born January 10, 1984 to Scott and Roxanne (Harris) Johnson in Duluth, and grew up in Silver Bay.  After graduating from Kelly High School in 2002 he played two years of Junior Hockey, then attended the...

Oct 21, 2015

Tim Carroll, 54, died suddenly Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at his home in New Brighton. He was born on November 16, 1960 to Donald and Harriet (Larson) Carroll in Duluth.

Tim grew up and attended school in Two Harbors and later lived in the Duluth area.  Nancy (Freeberg) Kluznik (sister and guardian) had a special...

Oct 17, 2015

Darrell Lee Carter, 79, of Silver Bay died Saturday, October 17, 2015 at Ecumen Scenic Shores in Two Harbors.

He was born on December 14, 1935 to Fay B. and Thelma (Heding) Carter in Sumner, IA.  At age 2, he moved to the Carter farm in Becida, MN and later graduated from Bemidji High School in 1953. ...

Oct 16, 2015

Gary Aleff, 69, of Two Harbors died peacefully at his home on Friday, October 16, 2015 after a long battle with cancer.

He was born on May 26, 1946 to Bernard and Margaret (Worden) Aleff in Milwaukee, WI.  Shortly after high school he met Nancy Hulburt and they married in 1967.  Gary served in the Marine Corps....