Obituaries

Gwendolyn M. Hillerud Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 11:02am

GWENDOLYN M. HILLERUD died July 9, 2021. She was born in Artesian, SD on Aug. 25, 1930 to Jack and Margaret Mork. After high school she earned her teaching degree and her pilot’s license. She married Robert Hillerud in 1953. They went on to have three children. They traveled the world while he served in the Air Force. They retired in Fort Walton Beach, FL but always returned to Crosby in the summer. Her passions included cooking, cleaning, entertaining, taking care of her family and whistling many different tunes. She was strong, inspirational and had the “patience of a saint”.

Perry Weaver Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 11:01am

PERRY WEAVER, 56, died at home in Tucson, AZ., on June 7, 2021, after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was born Aug. 5, 1964 in Crosby to David “Red” Weaver  and Jeannette (LaQuea) Weaver. Perry graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School and several years later relocated to the Tucson, AZ area. He lived for many years in the Three Points area of Pima County enjoying his home and swimming pool. He was gifted at car restoration and and painting. He was loved at his place of work, the Prairie Schooner in Tucson, where he managed the warehouse.

Kenneth R. Nystrom Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 11:00am

KENNETH R. NYSTROM, 84, of Prior Lake, died on Jan. 14, 2021 in Belle Plaine.   A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 24 at the Salem Lutheran Church in Deerwood. His ashes will be placed in the Columbarium  at Salem Lutheran Church with full military honors presented by the Walter Scott Erickson American Legion Post #557 of Deerwood. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Salem Lutheran Church or the Deerwood American Legion.

Juneal Pecarich Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:59am

JUNEAL PECARICH, 93, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. She was born to Victor and Suzanne Dahl on Feb. 12, 1928.  She was raised solely by her mother Suzanne, as her father abandoned them and three sisters during the Great Depression.  She lived in Staples as a young girl and later moved to Brainerd as a teenager.  She married Matt Pecarich on May 18, 1946.  They lived in Crosby-Ironton and were married for 59 years until his passing. She was a wonderful cook.

Raymond F. Sellers Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:58am

RAYMOND F. SELLERS, 88, of Crosby, died on July 5, 2021 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.   No services are being held.   Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.

Keith M. Fischer Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:55am

Keith M. Fischer, 74,  of Walker, died June 29, 2021 at his home.  He was born on May 15, 1947 to Clarence and Dorothy (Doyle) Fischer.  Keith graduated from Farmington High School and then served in the Army Reserve for six years.  Keith entered into marriage with Cindy Rood on Nov. 18, 1972.  Their only son, Andy was born on May 7, 1990. Keith wore many hats in his life and owned several businesses, including the Deerwood Sports Shop and Outdoorsman Restaurant, Meinecke Discount Muffler of Maplewood, Cuyuna Country Auto Center in Crosby and Mr. Tire in Brainerd.

Audrey Jane Olander Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:42am

AUDREY JANE OLANDER, 91, of Crosby, died on June 30, 2021 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.  She was born in Duluth on Jan. 7, 1930 to Earl Jesse and Phyllis Rosella (Sutton) Herrick, the youngest of five children.  Audrey married Merle Edward Olander on July 26, 1947. Together with her husband Merle, they became owners and operators of the Crystal Café in Crosby for many years.  Audrey also worked as a secretary in Duluth, a clerk for Mr.

Dolores "Dee" J. Gragert Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:41am

Dolores “Dee” J.  Gragert, 88, of Emily, died on Jan. 8, 2021 at the St. Cloud Hospital. She was born in Minneapolis on Jan. 6, 1933 to George and  Caroline (LaCount) Sandhoff. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Outing. Preceding her in death are her parents; her husband, Lloyd in 2013; a grandson, and a sister, Sharon Anderson. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Carol Gragert of Elk River and Mike Gragert of Apple Valley; one granddaughter and two great-grandchildren. Celebration of Life will be 1 p.m.

Avis p. Johnson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:40am

AVIS P. JOHNSON, 88, Prior Lake, passed June 30, 2021. Preceded by husband, LaVern; son, Mike; siblings, Duane, Connie, and Leonard. Survived by children and spouses: Bruce and Lisa Johnson; Lori and Steve Goodwin; Tim  and Sandy Johnson; Darcy Arone; 11 grandchildren; seven  great-grandchildren; sister, Vivian Luciana; other loving family and friends. Service 11 a.m. July 8,  at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Visitation 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Paul W. Chase Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 07/27/2021 - 10:40am

PAUL W. CHASE, 90, of Crosby, died July 3, 2021 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Care Center. He was born Jan. 10, 1931 in  Crosby to Esther (Snobeck) and Francis Chase. Paul was born and raised in Crosby-Ironton. He graduated from the U of M as an engineer. He was absolutely brilliant. He was known well for his dry sense of humor. He served in the military. He led a lot of people to the Lord. He changed the lives of many people around him. He loved to play music, specifically the trombone. And was especially loved family, friends, and everyone he came in contact with.