LONNY RAY "BUB" AXTELL
Lonny Ray "Bub" Axtell, 48, of Sawyer and Carlton, died suddenly on Jan. 11, 2006, in Cloquet.
He was born on June 16, 1957, in Cloquet to Lloyd and Mary (Beaupre) )Axtell.
Lonny loved his life as a logger. He enjoyed traveling, golf, basketball and driving his semi-truck. Lonny always had a smile for everyone, and he loved to joke around. He was very close with his family and loved his many pets, especially his Golden Retrievers.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Lonnie is survived by his fiance, Teresa Bartlett and her children, TJ and Chris; his children, Jessica Rae (Neil) Hakkila, Nicholas Ray Axtell and Naomi Rae Axtell; his mother; brothers and sisters, Allan (Debra) Axtell, Michelle Hermanson, and Kevin; nieces and nephews, John Ratzer, Zachary Hermanson, and Skylar Hermanson.
The family would like to thank the Cloquet Emergency Response Team, the Cromwell First Responders, Dave and Cindy Berthiaume and all those that helped at the time of Lonny's passing.
VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006, in Handevidt Funeral Home, 900 Washington Ave., Cloquet. The visitation will continue on Monday, Jan. 16, 2006 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Rite of Christian Burial in St Mary & Joseph's Church, 1225 Mission Road, Sawyer. Spring interment at Hillside Cemetery, Carlton. Arrangements with Handevidt Funeral & Cremation Service, Cloquet 218-879-4636.
JACK H. WALLI
Jack H. Walli passed away peacefully on January 4, 2006, at the beloved family cabin at Island Lake. He was born November 29, 1944. Jack graduated from Denfeld High School and attended 2 years of Architectural Drawing at VocTech in Duluth. He worked for Minn-tac and Glass Block stores.
Jack enjoyed the simple pleasures that life had to offer. He loved the outdoors and took long walks through the woods every day with loyal four-legged companion, Evan. He also took joy in searching for the best fishing spot in many of the beautiful lakes found in Minnesota. He developed his love for fishing from his grandfather who would fasten him into his boat to take him fishing from the time he was three years old. He would climb the hills to Twin Ponds in Duluth to fish, and cars would stop to look at the boy making a catch where no one thought there were fish. He was an avid deer hunter and loved to camp. One of his best memories was a motorcycle trip to Colorado with his childhood friends. He was very skillful with his hands and enjoyed many building projects around the family property which remain to remind us of Jack and his love for his own piece of heaven on Island Lake.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Helvi Niemi Walli and father, Henry J. Walli.
He is survived by his sister, Louise Walli Cruz and husband Frank, of Guam; sister, Gloria Jean Walli of San Francisco; nephew, Marc Cruz and wife, Michelle; grandnephew, Nicholas, of Guam; his niece, Kira Louise Cruz and husband, Eugene Macadagum, of Guam; his nephew, Francisco Cruz II (Kiko), of San Francisco; his aunts: Jenny Waisanen of Wright, MN, Elma Bordwell of Spokane, WA, Shirley Walli of Tamarack, MN, Dianne and Clifford Peet of Elk River, MN; uncles: Arnie Walli of Flushing, MI, Sulo and Delores Walli of Wright, MN, Reino and Donna Walli of NC, Carl and Norma Walli of Tamarack, MN; and many cousins; and by loyal friends, Dennis and Mike Gunsolus and Marvin Kangas.
MEMORIAL: A memorial service will be held at Island Lake this summer.
EVELYN M. WATTERS
Evelyn M. Watters, 84, of Willow River, died Saturday, December 31, 2005 in Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake, Minnesota. She was born October 19, 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Walter and Frances Nielsen. Evelyn graduated in 1939 from St. Paul Central and was a resident of St. Paul for 81 years retiring from the accounting department of the State of Minnesota Motor Vehicle Division. She moved to Willow River in 2002.
Evelyn was preceded in death by husband: Raymond J. Watters; one brother and four sisters.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Barbara (Maynard) Holcomb of Willow River; two sons: Thomas (Susan) Watters of Woodbury and Douglas Watters of Stillwater, one sister: Gen (Ken) Smith of Wausau, Wisconsin, 9 Grandchildren: Dorine (Dick) Groat, Michael (Linda) Holcomb, Jessica (Jason) Hensel, Katie (Ben) Hansen, Matt Watters, Josh (Jennifer) Watters, Dain Watter, Ben Watters & Colton Watters; 5Great Grandchildren: Daniel Groat, Randy Groat, James Holcomb, Alan Jenson, & Alyssa Jenson, 4 Step Grandchildren: Tiana Hensel, Tyler Hensel, Scott Wade, and Chris Hogboom.
Inurnment will be May 25, 2006 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Arrangements are with Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake, Minnesota.
LESTER BAKKA
Lester Lawrence Bakka, 77, of Cloquet, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family, Saturday, January 28, 2006 in Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital. He was born July 18, 1928 in Kettle River, MN to Edward and Alma (Layon) Bakka. Lester married Viena Hill in Minneapolis on June 2, 1947 and they have lived in their present home in Cloquet for 31 years.
He worked as a plumber for London Plumbing for several years and then had his own plumbing and heating contracting business in Cloquet for more than 40 years. Lester and Viena also built the Northwoods Inn Motel in Barnum in 1973. Lester was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the great outdoors.
Lester was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Raymond and Robert Bakka and a grandson, Antony Lopez.
Lester is survived by his wife, Viena, of Cloquet; his three children, Larry (Sharon) Bakka of Carlton; Debra (Gerald) Lopez of Lower Gwynedd, PA and Jerry Bakka (David Vipond) of Los Angeles, CA; four grandchildren, Lindsey Hanson, Kimberly Bakka, Amanda Lopez and Alexander Lopez; one great granddaughter, Emily Hanson; several nieces, nephews and many friends.
Visitation was Wednesday, February 1, 2006 from 2:00 until the 3:00 p.m. funeral service in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet. Private family burial will be in the spring in Leonard Cemetery, Kalevala Township, MN.
DOROTHY M. KOSLOSKI
Dorothy M. Kosloski, 82, Willow River, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 26, 2006 in Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake with her family by her side. She was born on March 8, 1923 in Minneapolis to Carl and Marie (Badger) Larson. At the age of six months, Dorothy moved with her parents to Birch Creek Township where her family farmed and she attended country school through the 8th grade.
In 1939, Dorothy moved with her parents back to Minneapolis where she worked as a domestic. On June 29, 1940, Dorothy married Toful Kosloski in Moose Lake. They lived on the Kosloski Homestead which they farmed for many years. In 1955, they purchased the Denham Bar which they operated until 1957. Dorothy attended school to become a Psychiatric Technician and later worked at Moose Lake State Hospital from 1961 until 1973 when she made a choice to leave her work and help raise her grandchildren. Dorothy later worked for Willow River Poultry. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Lake. Dorothy loved her family, reading, embroidery, crocheting, flowers, gardening, card playing, dancing, and the Minnesota Twins.. She was known to many as "Cookie Grandma" and will never be forgotten because of her generous and giving nature that provided hospitality to many and bags of treats and cookies for the kids.
She was preceded in death by her husband Toful of 59 years; an infant brother; and her parents: Carl and Marie Larson.
Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her son: Ted (Ann) Kosloski of Willow River; 4 Grandchildren: James (Sylvia) Kosloski of Milaca; Richard (Shelly) Kosloski of Clarkfield; Michelle (Ed) Daoust of Barnum; and Michael (Stephanie) Kosloski of Moose Lake; 17 Great Grandchildren; her very special friend: Mardy Youngberg of Sturgeon Lake; her special kids: Laura (Steve) Bennett, Sarah Nikko, Andrea Nikko, Jonathan Nikko, Jacob Nikko, Sarah Chasson, and her dog: Spotty.
Funeral services were held at 11 AM Monday, January 30, 2006 in Faith Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Lake. Reverend Paul Reiff officiated. Music was provided by Diane Jacobson and Ken Halverson. Casket Bearers were James Kosloski, Richard Kosloski, Michael Kosloski, Ed Daoust, John Ritter, Jim Ritter, and David Nikko. Burial was in Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Birch Creek Township. Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.
REBECCA L. ARMSTRONG
Rebecca L. Armstrong, 35, of Bennett, died Fri., Jan. 27, 2006 in St. Luke's Hospital. She was born July 28, 1970 in Superior. She served with the Army from 1988-1991. She was employed as a secretary for Hawthorne Assembly of God. She was a member of the Hawthorne Assembly of God, where she served as Missioettes teacher. She was a former President of the Solon Springs P.T.A. She graduated from Fond du Lac Community College with an Associate's Degree, and attended the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Rebecca is survived by her husband, Keith; her five children: Andrew, Amanda, Brittney, Caitlin and Brandon; her father, Eugene (Jeanine) Ryan of Duluth; her mother, LeAnn Ryan of Duluth; a brother, Michael (Veronica) Ryan of Menifee, CA; grandmother, Elizabeth Noyes, of Superior; a niece, Reilly Ryan, of Menifee, CA; and many aunts and uncles.
Funeral services will be held at Hawthorne Assembly of God at 11:00 a.m. on Wed., Feb. 1, 2006. Visitation was held after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, in the Downs Funeral Home, and from 10:00 until the service on Wednesday in the Church. Burial will be in Bennett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke's Oncology Department.
DOROTHY UDSTUEN
Dorothy Marie Marks Udstuen "Sally", 91, of Esko, passed away on Sunday, January 29, 2006 in the Sunnyside Health Care Center, Cloquet. She was born August 21, 1914 in Griswold, Iowa to D.J. and Josie Wohlenhaus and was known to her family and friends by her nickname, "Sally".
She was married to her first husband, Kenneth Marks and her second husband, Aldin Udstuen.
Preceding her in death are her husbands, Kenneth and Aldin; her parents; two sisters, Leola Ekstrand and Charlotte Brown and two brothers, Joe and Dave Wohlenhaus.
Sally is survived by her daughter, Sandra (James) Anderson, Esko; one granddaughter, Laurie Taft of Canyon, MN; three grandsons, Gordon (Cindy) Westendorf, Jr. of Duluth, Todd Anderson of Menomonie Falls, WI and Mark Anderson of Germantown, WI; six great grandchildren, Micayla, Brianna, Kiara and Garrett Westendorf and Natalie and Nathan Anderson; a sister, Evelyn Wohlers of Fairmont, MN; a brother, Aaron Wohlenhaus of Butterfield, MN and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 until the 2:00 p.m. funeral service Saturday, February 4, 2006 in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th Street, Cloquet, MN, followed by a luncheon in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. Burial will take place in the spring in Riverside Cemetery, Barnum.
MELVIN "GUS" LINDQUIST
Melvin "Gus" Henry Lind-quist, 67 of Moose Lake, formerly of Esko, died Friday, January 27, 2006 in his home. He was born December 3, 1938 in Cloquet to Henry and Ellen (Johnson) Lindquist. Mel graduated from Proctor High School in 1957. He was a Navy Veteran serving during the Vietnam War.
On May 4, 1967, he married Nannette Sass. Mel worked as a boiler man at St. Mary's from 1969 until 1979. He then went to work as a data control processor for WLSSD until retiring in 2000. He was a member of HOG (Harley Owners Group), a life member of the Cloquet VFW #3979, and a life member of the DAV. He was also a member of the USS Radford DD 446 Association and a charter member of the USS Carpenter DD825 Association.
Mel enjoyed taking walks on his tree farm, spending time with his grandchildren, and traveling the world. He was to leave on January 28th for Antarctica which would have accomplished his goal of traveling to all seven continents.
Mel is survived by his son, David Lindquist of Spring, Texas; grandchildren Keegan and Kaitlan Lindquist; his former wife, Nannette "Nan" Lindquist of Esko; sisters, Annie (Rodney) Weiler of Esko, Janet (Edward) Bressler of Carlton, and Carolyn (Gary) Olson of Chisholm; brother, Leslie (Marilyn Radakovich) Lindquist of Proctor; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2006 in the Fireside Room of Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Cloquet VFW Post 3979 or the American Heart Association.
