Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home

Franklin Anthony Zappa, Sr., 85, of Aitkin, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 in 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 November 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. Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; his parents; great grandchild, Frankie Laine; siblings, Norman Zappa, Violet Crooker, Elizabeth Seal,...

Loretta Gale Westerlund, 94, of Glen, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Rivers Edge Assisted Living, Aitkin. She was born September 11, 1931 in Glen Township to Magnus and Eva (Davis) Westling. Loretta Westerlund grew up in Glen Township. She attended the Clear Lake School for 8 years walking to school or by horse and sleigh. She then attended High School in Aitkin the "Class of 1949". During her High School years, she worked for a time at Carlsona Beach Resort, Malmo Bay Resort, and Ziske's Grocery. In 1951 she moved to MPLS and worked for 5 years mostly at Western Electric (her dream job) repairing telephones, switchboards and creating posters for the company with her...

Virginia Catherine Johnson, 77, of McGregor, passed away Monday, January 12, 2026 in United Hospital, St. Paul. She was born November 13, 1948 in Keewatin, MN to John and Catherine (Parker) Carroll. Virginia was united in marriage to Bruce Johnson in September of 1970 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Virginia was a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and had her own crafting room. She loved vacationing in Naples, Florida with her husband, Bruce. Virginia was a terrific wife, mother and grandmother. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John and James Carroll. Virginia is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; children, Bob (Melissa) Johnson of Palisade, Gary (Jennifer) Johnson of...

Virginia Catherine Johnson, 77, of McGregor, passed away Monday, January 12, 2026 in United Hospital, St. Paul. She was born November 13, 1948 in Hibbing to John and Catherine (Parker) Carroll. Virginia was united in marriage to Bruce Johnson in September of 1970 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Virginia was a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and had her own crafting room. She loved vacationing in Naples, Florida with her husband, Bruce. Virginia was a terrific wife, mother and grandmother. Virginia is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John and James Carroll. Virginia is survived by her loving husband, Bruce; children, Bob (Melissa) Johnson of Palisade, Gary (Jennifer) Johnson of St....

Marilyn Dolores Boucher, 88, passed away at Aitkin Health Services on January 9th, 2026. Marilyn was born on February 14th, 1937, to Harold and Evelyn (Aune) Johnson in Moose Lake, MN. She was raised on a farm SE of Aitkin, MN where she loved the outdoors, riding her horses, working with her dad on the farm and spending time with her cousins. She attended Aitkin schools and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1954. She married Don Schlagel in 1955 and they had four children. For many years, she and her husband operated a turkey farm West of Aitkin and in 1972 they opened a real estate business. Marilyn became a real estate broker and was one of the pioneers for women in business in the...

Russell A. Fahrendorff, Jr. 76, of Wright died Friday, January 9, 2026 at Essentia St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth. He was born July 8, 1949 in Minneapolis the son of Russell and Rodina (Compton) Fahrendorff, Sr. He grew up in Minneapolis and attended Edison High School and then Dunwoody Institute. He was a US Army Veteran serving in the Vietnam War. Russell was united in marriage to Omok "Tina" Chon on February 27, 1971 in Minneapolis. He worked as an autobody repair man for many years and was a life member of the McGregor VFW. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the outdoors, traveling, riding his Harley, tinkering in his garage and a little Capt. Morgan. Russell loved being with his...

Terry Lee Morgan, 83 of Aitkin died Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Rivers Edge Assisted Living in Aitkin. He was born May 24, 1942 in Aitkin the son of Leo and Florence (Leikaff) Morgan. He grew up in Aitkin and graduated from Aitkin High School. Terry was united in marriage to Nancy K. Franz on March 3, 1970. He was a Minnesota National Guard Veteran, serving over 36 year. He was an autobody repair man for 50 years, working for Aitkin Body Shop, retiring in 2015. He enjoyed tinkering with automobiles, hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a member of Aitkin American Legion Lee Post #86 and the Aitkin Color Guard. He supported the Wounded Warriors Project, the Persian Gulf Support...

Lawrence "Larry" Martin Fulton, 53, of McGregor, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 31, 2025 at his home. He was born March 25, 1972 in Aitkin to Lawrence "Pudge" and Joyce (Sanda) Fulton. Larry enjoyed drag racing, hunting, ice fishing and especially spending time with his son, Tyler. Larry is preceded in death by his son, Isaac and father, Lawrence. Larry is survived by his son, Tyler; mother, Joyce Fulton; sisters, Lynette Fulton and Lori (Randy) Akins; nephew, David (Nikki) Weiner; grand nieces, Harlow and Josie; other relatives and friends. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. To leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.srtfuneral.com. ...

Gerald "Jerry" James Kowalsky, Jr., 64, of Aitkin, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at his home. He was born January 20, 1961 in Onamia to Gerald and Hope (Lind) Sr. Jerry graduated from Princeton High School. He was united in marriage to Kelly Hayes on April 1, 1995. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Kowalsky and Hope Braaten; step-father, Curtis Braaten; step-brother, Scott Braaten; nephews, Timothy Morrison and Joshua Glanz. Jerry is survived by wife, Kelly Kowalsky of Aitkin; children, Ryan (Christina) Strike of Isanti, Angela (Jeremy) Olson of Zimmerman and Keith (Bethany) Larson of Princeton; grandchildren, Blake, Drayton, Aria, Landon, Hayley, Riley, Abby,...

Gerald "Jerry" James Kowalsky, Jr., 64, of Aitkin, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at his home. He was born January 20, 1961 in Onamia to Gerald and Hope (Lind) Sr. Jerry graduated from Princeton High School. He was united in marriage to Kelly Hayes on April 1, 1995. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald Kowalsky and Hope Braaten; step-father, Curtis Braaten; step-brother, Scott Braaten; nephews, Timothy Morrison and Joshua Glanz. Jerry is survived by wife, Kelly Kowalsky of Aitkin; children, Ryan (Christina) Strike of Isanti, Angela (Jeremy) Olson of Zimmerman and Keith (Bethany) Larson of Princeton; grandchildren, Blake, Drayton, Aria, Landon, Hayley, Riley, Abby,...

Carol A. Hill, 87 0f Aitkin passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. She was born October 16, 1938 in Cass Lake the daughter of Harvey and Alice (Morton) Brown. She graduated from Vocational School in Minneapolis and worked many years as a secretary in Minneapolis. Carol was united in marriage to Dennis H. Hill on October 16, 2007 in Reno, Nevada. She worked locally in retail stores and was proud to be a para-professional for special education at Aitkin Schools. She enjoyed camping, the Black Hills, and visiting the casino. She was preceded in death by her parents and her 8 brothers and sisters. Carol is survived by her husband Dennis...

Jon Berglund Charlsen, 90, McGregor, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Aitkin Health Services. He was born on October 2, 1935 in Stillwater the son of Monty and Eva (Berglund) Charlsen. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1953 and the University of Minnesota in 1957. He married Daina Minkevics on March 27, 1958. They had two sons. In November of 1977 Daina died of cancer. On January 20, 1979 in Saint Paul, Jon Married Terri (Heft) Gott. They both have been Jehovah's Witnesses for many years. Jon was in sales and marketing his whole working life. He enjoyed skiing, golfing, fishing, watching the birds, sun bathing and dogs of all kinds. He was preceded in death by...

Carla Lou Emons, 78, of Aitkin, passed away Sunday, December 7, 2025 at her home. She was born November 9, 1947 in Minneapolis to Carl and Virginia (Porter) Manske. Carla was united in marriage to Donald Emons on May 20, 1967 in Minneapolis. Carla worked at Northwestern Bell for 17 years. She and Donald moved to Aitkin in 2000 and farmed for more than 20 years. Carla was a member of Knitwits and enjoyed crafting, gardening, knitting, making homemade soap (Carla owned and operated her own soap company), baking bread and especially spending time with her family. Carla is preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Wendell and Doug Manske. Carla is survived by her husband, Don;...

Karen Moriarty Born, 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 5, 2025. She was born in Kasson, MN, raised in Houston, Caledonia, and Anoka, landing in Aitkin for her high school years, her journey through Minnesota towns shaping the person she became. Aitkin would prove to be Karen's place, she returned there for her retirement years, happily surrounded by family and lifelong friends. Karen married John Born in 1967 (and 1998 . . . if you know, you know). They settled in Wayzata, where they raised their three children: Katy, Stephen, and David. Karen spent her career as a legal secretary and paralegal, primarily at Hauer, Lewis & Fargione where they balanced work with a healthy...

Charlene F. Fliss 75, of Aitkin died Thursday, November 27, 2025 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin with family by her side. She was born January 24, 1950 in Canby the daughter of Clifford and Ethelyn (Lorenzen) Fliss. She graduated from Aitkin High School in 1968. She was known as the family historian. She loved corresponding with friends and family and keeping everyone updated on life's milestones. Her hobbies included reading, doing crossword puzzles, watching tv and knitting items for friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Dallas Fliss, Larry Fliss, and Norman Fliss, brother-in-law Iner Markguard and sister-in-law Janet Fliss. Charlene is...

We celebrate the life of Glen Robert Chambers who passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2025 at 97 years of age. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his kindness, love and Christian service. Glen was born in Grafton, ND on April 25, 1928 to Roy and Blanche Chambers. His Scotch-Irish parents loved and cherished Glen, his older sister Winifred and younger sister Connie. Glen was the little shadow to his soft-spoken father from planting to harvesting on the family farm. Glen loved the sheep, pigs, cows and horses and especially playing hide-and-seek with his pet goat Biddy, and cross-country skiing at night drawn through the fields by his horse. In 1946, as a high school senior,...

Glen Robert Chambers, 97 of Aitkin died Saturday, November 22, 2025 at his residence. Funeral service will be 11am - Friday, December 12, 2025 at United Methodist Church in Aitkin. Pastor Dawn Houser will be the officiant. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be accorded by the Aitkin VFW Roberts Glad post #1727 and Aitkin Legion Lee Post #86. Burial will be in the Minnesota Sate Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley, Little Falls. Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Aitkin. To leave a message of condolence go to www.srtfuneral.com A full obituary will be posted next edition.

Heidi Ann Packer, born in North Dakota on May 16, 1981, to Dennis George Rach and Anna Mae Rach (Kozitka). She lived in Staples and has a brother, Chad Rach. Her senior year, she moved to Aitkin MN. On April 15, 2002, she had her first son Hunter Otto Rach, and around that, at the same time, she started working at Aicota Healthcare Center. Then she met Jori her future husband, but the only way she could get him to talk to her was to trap him in the shower. She did finally get him to talk to her, and she ended up moving in with him, and they bought a house in Palisade MN. Jori finally purposed to Heidi, and they got married August 18, 2007, in Aitkin. On September 15, 2008, she had another...

Dr. Robert David Orazem, 97, of Aitkin, MN passed away at home on Saturday, November 16th, 2025 surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 24th, 1928 to Peter and Mable (Caya) Orazem in Aurora, MN on Da Range, you may have known him as Bob, Buck, Doc, or Buckeroo (or perhaps sometimes Big Buck, sometimes Small Buck, but most of the time, sadly, No Buck). Bob graduated from Aurora High School in 1946. During his youth, he was an avid Boy Scout, eventually earning the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. He worked for two years before attending Eveleth Junior College and then the University of Minnesota Duluth. From there, he moved to Chicago to attend the Northern Illinois College of...

Richard "Dick" Swanson, 89, of Aitkin died Friday, November 14, 2025 at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin surrounded by his immediate family. He was born June 22, 1936 in Minneapolis the son of Carl and Alice (Kenney) Swanson. He grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1955. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1959 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and a minor in humanities. Upon graduation, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he was stationed in France until his honorable discharge in 1962. Dick was united in marriage to Martha "Marty" Young in 1968 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. After marriage, they moved to...

Richard "Dick" Theodore Swanson, 89 of Aitkin died Friday, November 14, 2025 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral services are pending with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Aitkin. www.srtfuneral.com A full obituary will be posted in the coming weeks.