January 2026

Ruby Elaine Nelson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 9:04am

RUBY ELAINE NELSON, 94, of Henning, formerly of Crosby, passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2026 at her home. Services will be held at a later date.

Helen Constance Petersen Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 9:03am

HELEN CONSTANCE PETERSEN, 80, passed away Saturday, Jan. 17 at Edgewood Vista Memory Care. She is remembered by many friends and family members in the Brainerd and Crosby area. Born in Brainerd, she was one of 10 children born to Florence (O’Toole) and Harold Cecil Chamberlin and later stepdaughter to Madeline (LaSart) Chamberlin. She attended high school in Crosby, but ended up graduating from Mount Rainier High School, in Seattle, WA. She intended on becoming a nurse and worked as a Ward Clerk at St.

Gertrude "Gert" "Gertie" (Smilich) Dugan Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 9:02am

GERTRUDE "GERT," "GERTIE" (SMILICH) DUGAN passed away on Jan. 7, 2026, in The Villages, Florida. She was born in Eccles, WV, to Louis and Anna Smilich. The family moved to Minnesota when she was a young child. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where she earned a degree in education. She taught in elementary schools in Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. In 1966, she married Patrick Dugan. They moved to California, where she taught in schools in the San Jose area.

Janet J. Chambers obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 9:00am

JANET J. CHAMBERS, 94, of Pequot Lakes formerly of Trommald, passed away at the Caring Hearts Senior Community in Pequot Lakes on Jan. 4, 2026. She was born on March 18, 1931 in Staples to Louis and Ann (Mudek) Johnson. She loved to cook, shopping for beaded necklaces, dancing, singing and spending time with her pets. She is survived by one brother Ray (Mary) Johnson of Crosby and one sister, Paulette (Donald) Winberg of Duluth and nieces and nephews.

Karen A. Archibald Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 8:59am

KAREN A. ARCHIBALD, 83, passed away Jan. 7, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids following a courageous battle with breast cancer and the complications of chemotherapy-related neuropathy. She was born Jan. 4, 1943, in Bay Lake Township to Earl and Mina (Doty) Archibald the youngest of five children born to Earl and Mina where the family lived on acreage along the shores of Knieff Lake in a home built by her father with the help of friends.

Theresa mary Reardon Offerman Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 8:58am

THERESA MARY REARDON OFFERMAN, 71, of Emily passed away peacefully, on Dec. 28, 2025. She was born on June 26, 1954, in Minneapolis to Henry and Mary Reardon. She was a life-long learner and educator. She earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Mathematics Education from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She began her teaching career at Holy Angels Academy. She also taught at the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College. She ended her teaching career at Mounds Park Academy after 30 years of service to the school.

Franklin Anthony Zappa, Sr. Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 8:51am

FRANKLIN ANTHONY ZAPPA, SR., 85, of Aitkin, passed away Friday, Jan. 16, 2026 at Heartwood Assisted Living, Crosby. He was born April 9, 1940 in Cumberland, Wisconsin to Frank John and Elease Andrea (DeAngelo) Zappa.   Frank was united in marriage to Elaine Spartz on Nov. 5, 1960 in St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Minneapolis. He was a member of Knights of Columbus for 47 years and St. James Catholic Church of Aitkin. Frank enjoyed hunting, golfing, boating, traveling, dancing, woodworking and especially spending time with his family.