October 2026

Louis Edward Valiquet Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/20/2026 - 11:08am

LOUIS EDWARD VALIQUET, 86, of Crosby, passed away on Sept. 27, 2026. He was born in Crosby on June 14, 1940 to Napoleon “Bones” and Wanda (Evans) Valiquet.  Louie married Penny Abbott on Aug. 1, 1964 in Crosby. Louie and Penny bought the Crosby Dairy Queen on Jan.20, 1975.  They owned and operated at this location for over 30 years.

Betty Lou Brager Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/20/2026 - 11:07am

BETTY LOU BRAGER, 96 of Crosby, passed away on Aug. 31, 2026 at Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. She was born on June 12, 1930 in Brainerd to Elmer and Mabel (Peterson) Anderson.  She was united in marriage to Albert “Bud” Brager on July 31, 1949, in Crosby.  She was a member of the Cuyuna Lakes Community Church (Assembly of God) in Crosby.

Judith Ann Karnowski Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/20/2026 - 11:06am

JUDITH "JUDY" ANN (ORESKOVICH) KARNOWSKI, born Nov. 23, 1938, passed away on Sept. 17, 2026, surrounded by her family in their New Brighton home where she and her husband David Herman Karnowski raised their six children for the last 58 years. Judy was born in Crosby on Nov. 23, 1938, to Victor and Charline Oreskovich. She was the eldest of her six siblings: Marlys, Mardell, Sandy, Chuck, Kim and Victor. On Feb. 16, 1957, she married the love of her life, David, from Deerwood,  and they started their family.

John Thomas Rathman Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2026 - 10:44am

JOHN THOMAS RATHMAN passed away on Oct. 6, 2026. Born to Jerome and Dora Rathman in Springfield, MN. He graduated from Comfrey High School. Married Sharon Schaal in 1970, they moved to the Brainerd Lakes area in 1975, where he was a realtor and appraiser. He enjoyed golfing and spending time with family, and wintering in Mission, TX. He is survived by his wife Sharon of 56 years, step-daughter Tari, and son-in-law Roger Avery.

Jerome 'Jerry' E. Hanson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2026 - 10:43am

JEROME 'JERRY' E. HANSON, 92, of Brainerd, passed away on Sept. 28, 2026 at the Good Samaritan Society-Woodland in Brainerd. He was born in Minneapolis on May 31, 1934 to Otis and Doris (Mitchell) Hanson. He married Donna Skillings on July 18, 1954.   He proudly served for four years in the U.S. Air Force as a radio operator.  He worked at Paul’s Shoe Store in downtown Brainerd for 32 years.  He continued to go out for drinks and coffee with his friends for coffee long after the store closed. Once the shoe store closed, he worked at various health clubs in Brainerd for another 30 years.

Michael Francis Aulie Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2026 - 10:42am

MICHAEL FRANCIS AULIE, 76, of Deerwood, passed away Oct. 8, 2026. He was born  to Maryon Frances Cizek and Berger Ralph Aulie on Jan. 29, 1950. He and his beloved wife of 47 years, Roxanne, raised six children. He believed a meaningful life was one spent helping others and leaving the world a little better. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, camping, and exploring family history. He owned Sother’s Studio throughout his award-winning 50-year photography career.

James A. Johnson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 10/13/2026 - 10:41am

JAMES A. JOHNSON, 91, of Crosby, passed away on Sept. 10, 2026. He was born in Chisholm and moved to Crosby at an early age. He graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School, where he played football. He later attended Brainerd Junior College and continued his football career there. While in college, he met Sally Aker, the love of his life. They were married in October 1956 and were blessed with three sons: Mark, Scott, and Keith. He attended Dunwoody Institute and went on to work for Ellerbe Architects and Engineers in the Structural Engineering Division.