Nelson-Doran Funeral Home

John Zola William Hansen passed away on Monday, November 11, 2024, in Brainerd after a year-long battle with cancer. John was born September 26, 1937, in Warman, Minnesota to Zola and Elsie (Swanson) Hansen. He attended Warman, Mora and Isle public schools, where he met Helen Embertsen when they were tenth graders. They were married December 14, 1957, at Isle Evangelical Free Church, and lived in Minneapolis while Helen finished her nursing degree. They moved to Brainerd in 1959, where John was employed by the Minnesota Highway Department for 38 years as a land surveyor and project surveyor. John and Helen were founding members of Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter. He had a...

James Anderson Obituary A Celebration of a Big Life filled with Joy, Love, Laughter, and Community Giving. James Arthur Anderson, 81, resident of Crosslake, MN and Naples, FL departed this world on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at his Rush Harbor Home in Crosslake, MN. Jim is survived by his son, Eric James (Heather Nicole) Anderson and their daughter Autumn Linnea Anderson. Granddaughters Ashley M. (Matthew W.) Muenzberg, Hanna L. (Robert T. Rogers) Davis, Samantha G. Sesin and her father John J. Sesin. Great Granddaughter Athena L. Rogers. Brothers-in-law Ralph Ledin, and Alan (Kathy) Jensen. Nieces Jill (Paolo) Bellobuono, Jodi Parmeter, and Kim Thiery-Wickman. Nephews Jeff (Cindy)...

Michael Thomas Stydnicki passed away September 26, 2024 at the age of 69 in Brainerd, MN. Mike was born November 2, 1954 to Stanley and H. Eleanor 'Tommie' (Thompson) Stydnicki in Austin, MN. Mike attended St. Edward's Catholic School in Austin until the family moved to Northfield, MN where he graduated from Northfield High School in 1973. Mike worked at Northfield Manufacturing Company and Northfield Freezing Company. Mike moved to the Brainerd MN area in 1996 and worked for Lakeland Mold currently Avantech, in Baxter MN. Mike married his wife, Diane, on September 25, 1999 and they made their home outside of Brainerd. Mike was a life-long outdoors man; enjoying hunting and fishing...

Laura J. Clemons, age 57, of Brainerd passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at her home. Funeral services for Laura will be held at 12PM on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church in Brainerd. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd. Laura was born on March 14, 1967 in Fridley to Raymond and Patricia (Lynch) Windorski. She was the second of four children. Laura was a playful child, who thoroughly enjoyed her childhood. She was quiet, loving and slightly rebellious. Laura was a 1985 graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School. She married...

Laura J. Clemons, age 57, of Brainerd passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at her home. Funeral services for Laura will be held at 12PM on Saturday, July 20, 2024 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church in Brainerd. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd. Laura was born on March 14, 1967 in Fridley to Raymond and Patricia (Lynch) Windorski. She was the second of four children. Laura was a playful child, who thoroughly enjoyed her childhood. She was quiet, loving and slightly rebellious. Laura was a 1985 graduate of Crosby-Ironton High School. She married Dean...

Jean Marie Kruchten was born June 24, 1939, to Victor and Delima (Carriere) Chounard in Concrete, ND. Jean lived in Cavalier, ND and attended school there through the 8th grade. Jean met the love of her life Michael Kruchten, I on Thanksgiving Day in 1955 and eloped to Mason City, IA on February 21, 1956. The couple made their home in Barrows, until the mid-60s when they moved to Little Falls where they raised two daughters and five sons prior to moving to Pillager. Later, they made their home in Fort Ripley. Jean's primary role was raising her family and taking care of their seven children. Jean enjoyed cooking, painting ceramics, singing karaoke, dancing and gardening. Jean also worked...

Ervin D. Lodermeier, age 71, of Fort Ripley, passed away comfortably on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center with family at his side. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. A visitation will be on Monday, May 13th from 5-7:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to the service also at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home. Ervin was born to Everett and Grace (Gangestad) Lodermeier on February 23, 1953, in Little Falls. He enjoyed welding, tinkering on things around the farm, taking care of his miniature donkeys, and spending time with his family. Ervin was proudly sober for 27 years. He will be...

Patricia "Pat" Ann Sjolund, age 77, formerly of Brainerd passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 in Moorhead, MN. Memorial service held at 11AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation held one hour prior to services. Pat was born November 25, 1946 in Baxter; the daughter of Edward and Irene (Anderson) Collins. She married the love of her life, Douglas W. Sjolund, on July 3, 1965 in Brainerd. Pat worked at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls as a Ward Clerk for 18 years. Later, she owned and operated Antiques on Laurel. Her most rewarding career was being a mother to her five children. Pat had a beautiful garden and loved...

Alvin Guck, age 97, of Brainerd, died on Monday, February 26, 2024, at Essentia Health - St. Joseph's Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather for one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be held at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Al was the 9th of 12 children born to Frank and Rose Guck of Little Falls, Minnesota. He was a proud Army Veteran who served in Alaska after the end of World War II. In 1956 he married Martha Kinder. Al was a carpenter and worked in construction for most of his life. He and Marty operated the Al-Mar...

Michael Leo Kruchten was born to Arnold P and Magdalena (Lena Neeser) Kruchten on August 12, 1934, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00a.m., on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at St. Mathias Catholic Church. Family and friends are invited to gather on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 5:00-7:00p.m., for a visitation at Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to Mass at the church on Saturday. Mike met the love of his life, Jean Chounard, on Thanksgiving 1955 and they married on February 21, 1956. The couple made a home in Brainerd and later moved to Little Falls. Currently they reside in Fort Ripley, Minnesota. Mike worked at W.W. Thompson and...

James "Jim" W. Hartman, age 87, of Baxter passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 11, 2024 at Good Samaritan - Woodland, Brainerd. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Monday, January 22, 2024 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Little Falls. Arrangements have been entrusted to Nelson-Doran Funeral Home, Brainerd.

Daniel N. Frazier, age 84, of Brainerd, passed away on January 10, 2024, at Guardian Angels Care Center in Elk River. Funeral Services will be at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, January 19, 2024, at the Nelson-Doran in Brainerd. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home and interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. Arrangements have been made with Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.

Warren William Holsapple, 77, of Fort Ripley, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023, at his home with his boys right by his side. A Celebration of Warren's Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2023, at Nelson - Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to visit one hour prior to services. Military Honors will be provided by the Brainerd VFW and American Legion Honor Guard. Warren was born August 3, 1946, in Brainerd, the son of Charles and Mabel (Fleischhacker) Holsapple. He grew up in Fort Ripley and graduated from Washington High School in Brainerd in 1964. Warren married Peggy Pint on July 13, 1968. He joined the National Guard and served for 13...

Lois Fyle, age 92, of Nisswa, went home with Jesus on December 5, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Christopher's Catholic Church in Nisswa. Family and friends are invited to gather for one hour prior to Mass. Sister, wife, mother, business partner, store clerk and volunteer. Born September 11, 1931, to Ambrose and Roxanna (Tibbetts) Ritter in Donnelly, MN. She grew up in Aitkin during the Depression and graduated in 1950. She was crowned Miss Aitkin in 1953 and represented her hometown at the St. Paul Winter Carnival. She met Larry Fyle at the age of 10 and married him 15 years later on February 12, 1955, where her...

Gene N. Hayes, 84, of Brainerd, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 18, 2023. His family will honor his wishes and no services will be held. Gene was born September 23, 1939, in Platte Township, the son of Frank and Cora (Sween) Hayes. After school, Gene spent his time doing what he loved best - farming. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman. Gene was proud of the seven years he battled cancer. He liked to socialize with friends, and he loved his family. He will be dearly missed by his sons, Kevin, Gary, and Brent (significant other, Nikki); grandchildren, Missy, Mitch, Taylor, Alex, Adam, Kaitlyn, Jesse, and Jordan; three great-grandchildren; and sisters,...

Robert "Bob" W. Rakow, age 73, of Garrison died unexpectedly at his home in Garrison on Saturday, November 4, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation will be from 10:30AM until the time of service with lunch to follow. Bob was born June 10, 1950, in Brainerd to Wayne and Shirley (Tomberlin) Rakow. He attended Brainerd High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Alisa Gangestad. The couple were married on June 21, 1969, in St. Mathias. Bob served four years in the Army National Guard. Bob and Alisa made their home on South Long Lake for many years. He owned and operated Rakow...

Robert "Bob" W. Rakow, age 73, of Garrison died unexpectedly at his home in Garrison on Saturday, November 4, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 11AM on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Visitation will be from 10:30AM until the time of service with lunch to follow. Bob was born June 10, 1950, in Brainerd to Wayne and Shirley (Tomberlin) Rakow. He attended Brainerd High School where he met his high school sweetheart, Alisa Gangestad. The couple were married on June 21, 1969, in St. Mathias. Bob served four years in the Army National Guard. Bob and Alisa made their home on South Long Lake for many years. He owned and operated Rakow...

Lynn Kalahar died peacefully October 6, 2023, at St. Joseph's Hospital, Brainerd with his wife by his side. He was born May 29, 1943, in Little Falls, MN, the oldest of six children. He grew up in Little Falls where he attended school graduating with the class of 1961 and continued his education at St. Cloud Vocational Technical College. He married his high school sweetheart Yvonne Pantzke at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls on July 3, 1965. They shared lifelong love, enjoying traveling abroad and throughout the United States. In 1966, he began his career with "Ma Bell" working as a lineman and cable technician. His work took him to many parts of the United States. He was a CWA...

Lorraine (Margaret) Koop Warnberg, of Brainerd, MN, died at 93 years old on Sept 15, 2023, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She was born in Brainerd on July 3, 1930, to Matilda and Arthur (Newgard) Koop. She graduated from the Brainerd school system and had special affection for Whittier Elementary School. On April 5, 1950, she married Chuck Warnberg. Lorraine's goal in life was to create a refuge, welcoming guests with food, kindness and love; her home was often abuzz with family and friends stopping by for coffee, treats and conversation. She was known for her generosity, hard work, and delicious food, including her brownies and various other sweets, home-cooked meals,...

BG (Bvt)(Ret) Richard L. Hayes passed away surrounded by his loving wife, Betty, of seventy years and his four children at his home in Brainerd MN after a long struggle with Parkinson's. He was born in Brainerd MN on Feb 25, 1933, to Francis and Inis (Bourassa) Hayes. He attended St Francis School then graduated from Washington High School, Class of 1951. He was employed at local grocers and the railroad before being drafted into the Army where he served with the 27th Engineer Bn (Combat) at Fort Campbell, KY. Following his discharge, he joined the MN Army National Guard. He began full-time employment at Camp Ripley in 1955 and served in various assignments until his retirement in 1988....

Richard "Dick" Kraklau, 77, lifelong Brainerd resident, passed away Friday, July 28, 2023. A Celebration of Dick's Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 12, 2023, at Nelson - Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd. Family and friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services on Saturday as well as Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors will take place at Pine Tree Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at Dagget Brook Town Hall. Dick was born February 16, 1946, in Brainerd, the son of Clifford and Marie (Wally) Kraklau. After high school, Dick joined the Peace Corps. His training was helpful when he was drafted into the US Army not much...