Obituaries

Barbara (Sunde) Balster Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:46am

BARBARA (SUNDE) BALSTER, 61, of Brainerd, passed away on March 15, 2026 at her home. She was born on April 29, 1964, in Crosby to William and Charlotte (Lange) Sunde. Barb was united in marriage to Dean Balster on June 11, 1994 in Nisswa.   Barb was a retired Radiological Technician with Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd and Tri County Community Hospital in Wadena.  She happily started a second career at Super One in Baxter and was recently promoted to Deli Manager at Super One in Pequot Lakes.

Rita Ky Verdon Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:44am

RITA KAY VERDON, 70, of Dayton, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at her home on March 4, 2026. Rita was born on Aug.19, 1955, in Crosby. She graduated from Crosby High School in 1973. Rita worked for North Memorial Medical Center for 40 years. On Nov. 24, 1974, Rita married the love of her life, Michael Verdon. Rita lived a life in Christ, defined by kindness, generosity, and selflessness. She was loved by many and always put the needs of others before her own. Her warm heart, gentle spirit, and unwavering love touched the lives of everyone who knew her.

Bonnie (Maxfield) Mullin Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:43am

BONNIE (MAXFIELD) MULLIN, 75, died peacefully in her sleep after brief illness on March 6, 2026. She was born in Crosby, and lived in Crosby, Taconite Harbor, San Diego, CA, Missouri, Florida, and Tucson, AZ for the last 22 years. She graduated from Cook County High School and Duluth School of Business. She spent her career as a legal assistant.  In retirement she and her husband enjoyed traveling, bowling, watching movies and reading.  She also enjoyed playing solitaire, doing the jumble and putting puzzles together.

Douglas Harold Peterson Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:42am

DOUGLAS HAROLD PETERSON, 78, of Deerwood, passed away on Feb. 12, 2026 in St. Paul, Minnesota, after a short illness. Douglas was born on Oct. 23, 1947 in Crosby, MN. He met Louise Hendrickson in 1973. They married in 1975 and had two children, Ivy and Guy, to whom they were devoted and endlessly adoring parents. Doug owned and operated Peterson Shoe Repair (“The Shoe Shop") in Crosby for many years, before going to work in maintenance at Cuyuna Range Medical Center until he retired.

Carla Jean Barker Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:41am

CARLA JEAN BARKER, 91, of Crosby, passed away on March 7, 2026 at Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. She was born on Jan. 3, 1935 in Watertown, SD to Nels and Nina (Andersen) Enevoldsen.   She graduated from the Watertown, SD High School, class of 1953.  In 1956 she received her Register Nursing Degree at the Sioux Valley Hospital Nursing School in Sioux Falls, SD.  After working for several hospitals she retired in 1993.

James "Jim" Christopher Jones Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2026 - 11:40am

JAMES "JIM" CHRISTOPHER JONES,  79, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 19, 2026. Born on Dec. 2, 1946, in Racine, MN, to Paul John Jones and Eleanore Evelyn Jahns, Jim lived a life defined by a profound sense of duty to his country, his community, and his family. After graduating from Spring Valley High School, Jim proudly served his country in the United States Army from December 1965 to December 1968.

Brendan Brock Flower Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 9:36am

BRENDAN BROCK FLOWER, 64, passed away Oct. 22, 2025 at Wedum Hospice in Coon Rapids after years of complications from cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 4 at the Walter Scott Erickson American Legion Post #557 in Deerwood from 2 to 4 p.m.

Jeffrey Edward Leonard Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 9:35am

JEFFREY EDWARD LEONARD, 65, of Ironton, passed away on Feb. 21, 2026 at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was born Aug. 22, 1960 in Crosby to Franklin and Betty (Vaars) Leonard.   Jeff graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1978 and Brainerd Technical College with an auto mechanics degree. He had a career with Crosby Manufacturing and then Lindar Corporation, where he retired in August 2025 with 15 years of service. Jeff played hockey in his earlier years, and softball and bowling for many years. He enjoyed watching sports, especially his beloved Minnesota Vikings.

Tammy Rae Butler Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 9:35am

TAMMY RAE BUTLER, 65, of Aitkin, passed away at her home on Feb. 25, 2026.   She was born in Norfolk, VA on Oct. 24, 1960 to David and Judith (Ruschmeyer) DeCent.   She was united in marriage with Thomas Butler on Aug. 2, 1980 in Iron Hub. She retired from Anderson Brothers in Brainerd with 36 years of service. She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iron Hub. She is survived by her husband, Tom; her father, Dave DeCent of Tucson, AZ; one brother, David (Sally) DeCent of Oracle, AZ; two sisters, Kim DeCent and Lisa DeCent both of Tucson, AZ; and many nieces and nephews.

Dean Kurtis Sylvester Obit

Published by admin on Tue, 03/03/2026 - 9:33am

DEAN KURTIS SYLVESTER, 82, of Deerwood, passed away on Feb. 21, 2026, at the Heartwood Care Center in Crosby. A memorial service is being planned for April 11, 2026. A full obit will follow.   Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.