Aitkin Independent Age

Loretta Lee (Johnson) MacDonald, age 89, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. Lori was born on September 22, 1932 in Aitkin and was lovingly adopted by Theodore B. and Ruth S. (Hartman) Johnson. She lived in Aitkin most of her life, graduating from Aitkin High School in 1950. Lori married John W. MacDonald on June 2, 1951 in Aitkin. Lori worked as a proofreader and columnist for the Aitkin Independent Age for ten years. She volunteered with the Aitkin County Historical Society, the Jaques Art Center, and Friends of the Aitkin Public Library, served on an advisory board for the Brainerd Dispatch, and was active in the Republican Party at the county...

Evelyn Ann Turner, age 82, of McGregor, died Friday, August 5, 2022, at Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin. She was born February 25, 1940 in Cloquet. She married Larry Turner on May 27, 1961 in Cloquet. They lived there briefly before moving to McGregor. Evelyn's work life centered around helping others. She worked at the McGregor Motel, Larson's Barn, Roadside Restaurant and Fireside Inn. After she retired from Fireside, she helped her husband manage the McGregor Community Center. The community meant a lot to her. She was a member of the McGregor United Methodist Church, President of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, a member of the McGregor Lions Club and volunteered at the McGregor...

Norma Mae Spencer, 89 of Aitkin passed away peacefully on August 2, 2022 in Aitkin. She was born March 4, 1933 in Howard County, Iowa to Floyd and Grace(Wilcox) Patton. Raised in rural Iowa, she graduated from LeRoy High School in 1952. Norma was united in marriage to James E. Spencer on October 29, 1952 in North Woods, Iowa. They lived in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Woodbury prior to moving to Aitkin in 1985. She retired from Lindsey Co. after being an exemplary employee for 18 years. Norma then worked several part-time jobs in Aitkin. They lived on Nord Lake until Jim's passing in 2015. Norma moved to Aitkin Manor for 7 years and made many, many, special friends. In April 2022 she...

Funeral services will be 11 AM Monday August 1, 2022 at The Waters Church in Sartell for David "Dave" Weihrauch, 77 of Sauk Rapids who died Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at his home in Sauk Rapids. Pastor Doug Vagle will officiate. A private burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 3-7 PM Sunday at the Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in St. Cloud and 1 hour prior to services Monday at The Waters Church in Sartell. David was born in St. Cloud to Harry & Sarah (Hawkins) Weihrauch. He graduated from Tech High School, where his passion was wrestling. He married, had 2 sons, Bradley and Blake, built and ran a Dairy Queen in Florida until he divorced and moved back to...

Daniel P. Bzdok was born in St. Paul on May 27, 1960. He tragically and unexpectedly passed away on July 23, 2022. Dan graduated from Harding High in St. Paul and recently retired from Press Operator at Walter G. Anderson. Dan was an avid hunter and fisherman and found himself happiest in Fleming Lake where he would play cards and spend time with his family. Dan is survived by his children Danni (Ty) Bzdok-Derousse of St. Louis, Rebecca Lynn of U-city, and Brian James of Buffalo; granddaughter Stella Petersen; sister Linda (Jeff) Hammond of IGH; twin brother Daryl (Roxanne) of Wright; sisters-in law Darlene (Dave) Geiger of St. Paul, Michele Bzdok of Stacey; ex-wife Diana of Zimmerman;...

Conrad J. Gorsuch, age 81 of Oak Grove, MN, and formerly of Minneapolis and Aitkin, passed away on July 21, 2022, at M Health Fairview Northland Medical Center, Princeton. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, August 8, 2022, from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the St. Francis American Legion Post #622, 3073 Bridge St. NW, St. Francis. A luncheon will be served from 12:00-2:00 PM. Burial will be in Macville Cemetery, Hill City at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Williams Dingmann Funeral Home, Princeton, williamsdingmann.com. Conrad John was born to Gail and Evelyn (Angermo) Gorsuch on March 27, 1941, in Grand Rapids. He attended grade school in Swatara and continued on to...

Marie C. (Ackerman) Werner was born on September 11, 1938 and passed away at Fairview Southdale Hospital on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at the age of 83. Marie was from Hill City, MN and graduated from Hill City High School in 1956. Post high school Marie worked for Northwest Orient Airlines until she met her future husband, Lawrence Werner. Marie and Lawrence married on July 9, 1960. She celebrated her 60 th anniversary with Lawrence in 2020 shortly before he passed that year. Marie and Lawrence built a life together in Independence, MN where Lawrence built their first home. She stayed home to raise their children, Carl, Melanie, and Eric from 1962 to 1985 until Lawrence retired. In 1986 Marie...

Varian "Dale" Rode, 89 of rural Aitkin-McGregor died Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at Diamond Willow in Grand Rapids. He was born September 28, 1932 in Wisner, Nebraska to Reinold and Delilah (Hoefener) Rode. He worked as a Machinist Inspector - Operator for Metal Matic Inc in Minneapolis for over 30 years. Dale was united in marriage to Janet (Leerssen) November 20, 1992 in Milbanks, South Dakota. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors. He was a "Jack of all trades" who could fix just about anything. He enjoyed working on and learning about cars, so much so, that he took a home course to become a mechanic and had no problem passing the tests. He was a member of the NRA,...

Frank Kingsley, 90 of Palisade died Monday, July 18, 2022 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born December 8, 1931 in Bain Township, Aitkin County, MN. to Lamont and Cecelia (Oliver) Kingsley. He graduated from Aitkin High School class of 1949. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving from 1951 to 1955. Frank was united in marriage to Muriel (Johnson) August 5, 1961 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Aitkin. He worked in construction for a time and then for Aitkin County in the Land Dept., Assessors Office and then as the County Veterans Service Officer, retiring in 1996. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, playing cards and games. He taught AARP Drivers Safety for 10...

Madelyn Jane Pollock (nee Erickson), 94, found her eternal peace on July 15, 2022, at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin after a short illness. Madelyn was born March 31, 1928, the daughter of Joseph and Esther Erickson, (nee Morris), and raised in Aitkin, Minnesota. Madelyn graduated from Aitkin High School, and Stout State University, excelling in many forms of music and the culinary arts. On September 16, 1951, Madelyn married her college sweetheart, Russell Pollock, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brainerd,Minnesota. After graduation in 1950 from Stout with a degree in institutional cooking, Madelyn moved to Chicago where she ran the breakfast shift of the Walnut Room...

Robert Arthur Stewart, 91, of Tamarack, passed away Monday, July 11, 2022 in Villa Vista Senior Living, Cromwell. He was born February 8, 1931 in Mansfield, South Dakota to Howard and Edith (Carbert) Stewart. Bob attended North Star Grade School and McGregor High School, graduating in 1949. Bob sailed as a deck hand on an iron ore carrier in 1950 and possessed a Coast Guard Seaman's card. In 1951, Robert entered the military and served in Texas, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, North Africa, Labrador, Southeast Asia and Guam. Robert was united in marriage to Ramona Oster on July 19, 1952 in Nisland, South Dakota. Robert was a graduate of the Army Quarter Master School at Fort...

Bonnie Joy Hueftle, age 90, of Eustis, Nebraska, passed away July 11th at her daughter's home in Minnesota on Lake Mille Lacs. Bonnie was born December 20, 1931 at the pump house on the North Platte Experiment Station (called the State Farm) to Harry Elmer Weakly and Ethel Beatrice (Liljegren) Weakly. She was baptized and confirmed at the First Christian Church, North Platte, NE. Bonnie married Edward Fredrick Hueftle on July 26, 1953 in North Platte, NE. She and Edward made their home 1/2 mile east of Eustis. In the mid-60s they moved onto the Hueftle homestead. To this union were born three children. Dr. Stacey Joy Stockdill, Kent Ward Hueftle and Ann Annette Hueftle (deceased). Greg...

Richard Hlidek, 89, of Palisade MN, passed away peacefully at his home on the river, July 10, 2022. Born on January 20, 1933, to Fred and Emma (Draplik) Hlidek, in Omaha Nebraska, he married Darlene Gerke on August 29, 1959. His Psychology degree brought much enjoyment and satisfaction working with children, and he had a special knack for helping troubled teens. Antique collecting and woodworking provided a lifetime of hobbies. Richard had a love for the Mississippi River. He enjoyed camping, and canoeing. Above all else, he loved spending time with his family and friends. As a very social person, he found a friend in everyone he met. He will be missed by all who knew him. Survivors...

James R. Ware, age 88, of Aitkin, passed away July 8, 2022, at Rivers Edge Assisted Living in Aitkin. He was born on April 26, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1934 his parents Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey Ware moved to Aitkin, Minnesota and purchased a country gas and grocery store. Jim attended public and parochial schools through the eighth grade then went to Maplewood Academy and graduated in 1953. He then attended Union College. After going into the army, he sought further training at the Hinsdale Hospital as an x-ray technician. While continuing his training at Press Saint Lukes Heinz V.A. hospital in Illinois, he became a certified radiation therapist completing his course of study as a...

Helenann Wright Hyytinen, 85, of Lacey, WA and Tucson, AZ, died July 7, 2022 at St. Pete's Hospital in Olympia, WA, due to complications leading to cardiac arrest. She worked at Anoka Senior High School in the Anoka-Hennepin School District then was a long-time employee of Olympic Jr High School in the Auburn School District in Washington State. Retiring in 1998. Helenann was born September 2, 1936 in Brainerd, MN to Kenneth and Verla (Pribyl) Wright. She is survived by her husband, Raymond; four sons, Michael (Sheri) of Bonney Lake, WA, Dr. Jeffrey (Peggy) of Emily, MN, Richard (Kristin) of Mesa, AZ, and David of Eatonville, WA; seven grandchildren, Alison Nance (Rob) Eugene, OR,...

Maggie (also known as Margie) was born in Aitkin, MN on August 6, 1931. She was preceded in death by her husband, Moylan Smith, WWII B17 pilot who flew 32 missions over Germany. Mo died on November 9, 2015 at the age of 97. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Hazel Twistol, and six sisters: Beverly (Ralph) of Sisseton, SD, Betty (Swetco) of Glendora, CA, Yvonne (Howard) of Crystal, MN, Jeanne (Don) of Richfield, MN, Mary (Buzz) of Maple Grove, MN, and Karen of Cloquet, MN, and a brother, Theodore Alan of Blane, MN. She is survived by her stepson, Cliff; stepdaughter, Linda; many nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren. Margie was happy growing up in this...

Shirley Ann (Bonneville) Yunker, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully July 1, 2022 at the amazing age of 95 after sharing a laugh with her caregivers. Born July 31, 1926 in Cloquet, MN to Napolean and Laura Bonneville, Shirley might have been the shortest (5'3" in 3" heels) of her siblings, Ralph, Doris, Eileen, and Viola, but she never lacked an adventurous spirit. Amid bus tours of the East Coast and Yellowstone with her Class of 1944 Aitkin High School girlfriends, Shirley moved into an apartment in town and went to work as a teller at the First National Bank of Aitkin. She discovered a talent for numbers, mastered double entry bookkeeping and "kept the family...

Terry LeRoy Ladd, age 73, of Palisade, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 30, with family by his side. Willy Wonka had nothing on T-Ladd. An avid treat-eater, he taught his grandkids there is nothing wrong with eating pie for breakfast (or lunch or dinner). He had the diet of a 12-year-old, and would often be found munching on snacks and goodies (cheese balls, popcorn, donuts, Ritz crackers with peanut butter and jelly, the list goes on) instead of eating "real" meals. And with a reputation for spilling (He often called himself "mama's little piggy"), it's no wonder his dogs and grand-dogs liked spending so much time by his recliner! Terry loved his simple life, spent almost...

Terry Ladd, 73 of Palisade passed away Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral arrangements are pending with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Aitkin. go to www.srtfuneral.com for obituary and service details.

Thomas "Tom" Dale Larson, age 67, of Aitkin, formerly of Maple Grove, passed away at his Farm Island Lake home on Friday, June 24, 2022 with his family by his side. Thomas was born February 26, 1955 in Minneapolis to Loren "Dale" and Carol (Mero) Larson. Tom was united in marriage with D'Ette Preusse on September 27, 1975 in Brooklyn Center. An avid outdoorsman, Tom enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, and ice fishing with his family and friends. He loved living in the cabin he built on Farm Island Lake and especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and the family's dogs. He was a lifelong carpenter and exceptional craftsman who took great pride in the work he did. Tom...

Betty Jane Hunt, 86, of Aitkin, passed away Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin, one year to the day after her husband, Kenneth. She was born October 16, 1935 in St. Paul to Dietrich and Rose (Voyda) Athen. Betty was united in marriage to Kenneth Eugene Hunt on June 6, 1953 in St. Paul. Betty was a member of American Legion Auxiliary Post #86 of Aitkin. She enjoyed reading, playing cribbage, the lake life and especially spending time with her family. Betty will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; her parents; sister, Evelyn Simmons; 3 brothers, Ernie, Harry and Al Athen. Betty is survived by her children,...