Obituaries

Feb 28, 2025

Patricia Jean “Patty” Pachel, age 61, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by family. Patty was born on June 6, 1963, number 6 of 8 kids to John and Bette (Stephens) Pachel of Ponsford at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids, MN. 

She attended grades one through four at...

Feb 24, 2025

Ruth Ann Rolfzen (Salonek) formerly Berthiaume, age 77, of Menahga, MN, passed away unexpectedly Feb. 24, 2025, at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. 

Ruth Ann was born in Watertown, MN, to Harold and Caroline (Otten) Salonek on Dec. 1, 1947, and was a devoted Catholic. She married Raymond F. Berthiaume, Jr., on Dec. 21,1964, in Wright County and they...

Feb 14, 2025

John Zentz

The Man, The Legend,

The Legacy

The Man

John Zentz, 92, of Park Rapids, MN, went home to the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on February 14th, 2025. He is now walking on streets of gold with his loving wife, Patricia Zentz of Park Rapids, by his side. He was born Harry John, third son to Joe and...

Feb 13, 2025

Philip Lee Kaley, age 88, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at Heritage Living Center in Park Rapids, MN, with his family by his side.

Phil was born on March 30, 1936, out in the country near DeLong, IN, the son of the late John and Bodie (Lang) Kaley. He attended country school in DeLong and...

Feb 12, 2025

Sharon Ruth Carlson, age 85, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in her home in Park Rapids, MN, following a lengthy illness. Her family was by her side. 

Sharon was born on September 10, 1939, to Einar and Claire (Hanson) Carlson in St. Paul, MN. She worked for many years as a receptionist at Regions, United...

Feb 3, 2025

Linda Aline Franich, age 75, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Diamond Willow Nursing Home in Park Rapids, MN, with her family by her side.

Linda was born on July 18, 1949, in Seattle, WA, to the late Milton and Lorraine (Ayers) Smotherman. She grew up in Seattle, WA, where she graduated from Highline High...

Jan 23, 2025

Ida Aileena (Niemela) Maninga, age 82, of Menahga, MN, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Green Pines Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Spruce Grove Lutheran Church in Wolf Lake, MN, with a visitation at 10:00 a.m.. 

Ida was born on May 2, 1942, to Onni...

Jan 19, 2025

   Mark Carven Ristinen, age 65 of Menahga, Minn., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 at his home in Wolf Lake, Minn. Mark was born April 26, 1959 in Minneapolis, Minn., to Lester and Carol Ristinen.

Mark grew up in Fergus Falls, Minn., where he graduated from high school in 1977. He was active in Boy Scouts where he became...

Jan 11, 2025

Loraine S. Stone, age 81, of Park Rapids MN, passed into eternal life on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Perham Health in Perham, MN. Memorial Services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, May 12, 2025 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Two Inlets, MN. with a visitation one hour prior to service. To leave online condolences please visit...

Jan 9, 2025

Judith (Judy) Clare Fieldsend, age 84, a lifelong Park Rapids, MN area resident, unexpectedly departed this world the morning of Thursday January 9, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN. She spent her last moments with family by her side. Judy was born on December 21, 1940, to Clifford and Clara (Beck) Harsha and was one of ten children. Judy attended Park Rapids...

Jan 6, 2025

Jan 5, 2025

Donald William Wiese, age 96, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of St. Louis Park, MN, peacefully joined his wife Victoria in heaven on January 5, 2025 at Crystal Brook Senior Living.

 Donald was born in Pipestone, MN, to William and Margaret (Carrigan) Wiese on October 27, 1928. His family moved to the Park Rapids area in 1945 with the purchase of...

Dec 26, 2024

Debra Kay Pierce, age 66, of Park Rapids, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Park Rapids. A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 2, 2024, at Cavalry Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, with a visitation an hour prior.

Debra was born on August 31, 1958, to Kenneth and Ellen Braman...

Dec 23, 2024

Jennie Mae Hanson, 92, went to her Eternal Home on December 23rd, 2024. We rejoice with her that her greatest Hope has been made sight.

Jennie was born on February 16th, 1932 to Hugh and Agnes Tifft in Watertown, South Dakota. She attended school in Watertown until she married Donald Hanson on November 25th, 1948. Her and Donald both came to...

Dec 22, 2024

Augustina Guzman Hilden August 28, 1947- December 22, 2024 Augustina Guzman Hilden (Tina) was born to Narciso and Purificación Guzmán on August 28,1947 in Austin, TX. She was raised in Erie, MI and graduated from Mason High School in 1967. Tina later moved to Lansing, MI where she married her beloved Ernie on October 6, 2001. She worked for Blue...

Dec 17, 2024

Frank Edwin Kruft, age 72, a lifelong resident of the Park Rapids community, passed away December 17, 2024, at Crystal Brook Hospice Care with family by his side. He died from cardiac illness exacerbated by lung cancer.

Frank was born on October 31, 1952, He was the son of Edwin and Colleen Kruft. He was raised on the family farm East...

Dec 14, 2024

Priscilla Ida (Sheldon) Johanning, age 92, of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Hubbard, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Crystal Brook Senior Living with her family by her side. 

Priscilla Sheldon was born on April 28, 1932, in Park Rapids, MN, the only daughter of the late Ellis and Ida (Kruse) Sheldon. Her mother died when she was...

Dec 4, 2024

Clifford Eugene “Kip” Lof, age 94, a lifelong resident of the Nevis-Park Rapids community, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at the Ecumen Cottages in Detroit Lakes, MN. 

Kip was born on December 8, 1929, at a logging camp near Emmaville, MN, on Mantrap Lake, the son of the late of Edwin and Eva (Sisco) Lof. He was raised on...

Dec 3, 2024

Louis M. Meeks, Jr., age 74, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Louis was born on February 4, 1950, in Parkersburg, WV, to Louis, Sr., and Lillian (Lonfors) Meeks. In 1951 Louis moved with his family to Snellman, MN. 

Louis met Elaine Gillette at Toad Lake, MN. They were...

Dec 1, 2024

Charlene Gail Roderick, age 69 of Menahga, MN, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at the Green Pine Acres Nursing Home  in Menahga, MN. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.