Obituaries

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. 

Nov 30, 2024

Carol Eileen (Thelen) Schwartz, age 73, of Menahga, MN, took God’s hand and followed him to heaven and is finally comfortable after fighting failing health. She passed away in the early hours of Saturday, November 30, 2024, with her loving family by her side, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN, where she has resided for the past...

Nov 25, 2024

Nancy Jean Reynolds, age 72, of Woodbury, MN, passed into eternal life on Monday, November 27, 2024, at the ACR Homes on Woodbury in Woodbury, MN. Inurnment will be held in the spring 2025 at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN.

Nov 14, 2024

Helmi Irene Becker, age 92, of Park Rapids, MN, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Crystal Brook Senior Living in Park Rapids, MN, with her family by her side.

Helmi Lehtinen was born on April 6, 1932, in Brocket, ND, the daughter of the late Jalmer and Hilda (Rekola) Lehtinen. She was raised in Brocket ND and graduated from...

Oct 27, 2024

Clifford Elmer Sawyer graduated to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on October 27, 2024. He lived here on earth just shy of 99 years. Clifford, born on November 8, 1925, was the youngest son of Clifford and Blanche(Levitt) Sawyer His dad died when Cliff was 4 and he was raised by mom. He graduated from Pillsbury Military Academy in...

Oct 26, 2024

Donovan F. Larson

July 23, 1935~October 26, 2024

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Donovan Francis Larson, age 89, passed away peacefully at the Veterans Administration Home on October 26, in Bemidji, Minnesota. Donovan (Don, aka “Swede”) was born July 23, 1935, in White Earth, Minnesota, to Edward and Lucille Larson Crowell (nee Brunette).

Don was a veteran of the United States Air...