Aitkin Independent Age

Our precious mother, Mary Ellen Kangas, age 97 of McGregor passed away on April 22, 2024 at Golden Horizons Health Care Center in Aitkin, MN surrounded by family. She was born September 8, 1926 to the late John and Dorothy Frerich in Rice, MN. She grew up on a small farm on Little Rock Lake and left home at age 16 to work as a household servant for the Michaelson family and also for her brother Art. She moved to St. Cloud when she turned 18 to waitress at the Pan Town Inn. Around age 20 she traveled to St. Paul where she worked in the lab at St. Joseph's Hospital. Mary Ellen Frerich met Benjamin "Ben" Solomon Kangas at the American Dance Hall which was located across the street from the...

Noel C. Bailey, 82 of Aitkin died peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 after a long, hard fought battle with cancer. He was born December 9, 1941 in Aitkin the son of Clarence Joseph and Olga Marie (Holm) Bailey. He grew up in Aitkin and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1959. He attended Bemidji State University from 1959 to 1963 to play football and wrestle. He eventually earned a Masters Degree in Education. Noel was united in marriage to Patricia Hill on August 3, 1963. Patricia passed away in 1992. Noel married Alma (Laidlaw) Roden on July 24, 1993. Alma passed away in 2020. Noel began his teaching and coaching career at Sauk Rapids High School from 1963 to 1972. He...

Marilyn Kathleen Anderson, age 94 of Burnsville, formerly of McGrath and Minneapolis, passed away peacefully April 7, 2024 after a slow decline in her physical health. Preceded in death by brothers, Allan, William, and Harris and parents Axel, and Olga Anderson. Survived by her niece, Melanie Anderson-Novy (Keith Novy), and nephew Joseph (Jenessa) Anderson; grandnephews, Madison, Lane, Wyatt, and Barrett, along with grandnieces Tenley and Cordelia; also by other loving family and friends. Funeral service held 1 PM Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at Zion Holden Lutheran Church: 207 First St S., McGrath, MN. Visitation from 12-1 PM prior to the service. Interment immediately following the funeral...

Glenn Richard Britney, age 83, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2024, in the presence of family at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Grand Rapids, MN. Glenn was born June 5, 194, in Litchfield, MN. He moved to Aitkin in 1949. He graduated from Aitkin High School where he held the shot-put record for 25 years. Glenn also played basketball, football, and competed in track. He worked for Coast to Coast and then Lutheran Brotherhood/Thrivent for 35 years where he earned many awards and memorable trips around the United States. He was active with the Eden Prairie wrestling team, and active in the Pengilly United Methodist church, serving as AD board Chair, and Trustee at various times, and served on...

Katherine A. "Kathie" (Larson) Allen, age 77, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, at church. Interment will be at the Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN. Long time educator, Kathie became the first women's athletic director at Itasca Community College in her hometown of Grand Rapids, MN. Kathie is survived by her husband, Joe Allen of Grand Rapids, MN. Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send...

Dolores Elaine (Knutson) Lindahl, age 95, of Belle Plaine, MN, was welcomed home by her Lord on Friday, April 5, 2024. Her daughter, Trudy held her tightly in her arms as she passed at Kingsway Retirement Living in Belle Plaine, MN. A Christian Funeral Service was held at 11:30 AM with visitation time from 10:30 - 11:30 AM on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 500 W Church St, Belle Plaine, MN, with Pastor Martin Bentz and Pastor Ed Fredrich presiding. Dolores will be laid to rest at Round Lake Presbyterian Cemetery in McGregor, MN. Dolores always stated: "You take whatever the Lord gives you in life, He is always with you." She lived by her words. She was deeply loved...

Gerald (Gary) Edward Osiecki age 79 of Aitkin, MN passed away on March 30, 2024. Gary's visitation and memorial service will be at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Avenue, Edina, MN. The visitation will be at 10AM, the service will start at 11AM and a luncheon will be provided after. Visit www.cremationsocietyofmn.com for complete obituary.

Kathryn Joann Falk (Jansma), 81, of Aitkin, passed away peacefully in hospice surrounded by her family at Rivers Edge Assisted Living on Friday, March 29, 2024. She was born July 2, 1942 in Albert Lea to Gordon and Marguerite (Brenizer) Jansma. Kathryn grew up in Albert Lea and Marengo, Iowa. After high school, she attended college in Iowa and received an R.N. Degree in Nursing. Kathryn married Spencer Randall and from that union, daughters Elizabeth and Susan were born. Later Kathryn and Spencer divorced and Kathy pursued her career in nursing. She moved to Virginia, MN and then to Aitkin where she met her present husband, Douglas Falk. They were married July 27, 1996 and had many...

Minnie LaVerne DeShaw Gandy, 80, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2024 at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin, Minnesota. Minnie was born on May 30, 1943, in Iowa City, Iowa to Harold and Neta (Fenstermaker) DeShaw. She was raised in the Central City, Iowa area up through her early teen years when her parents moved the family to Aitkin County, Minnesota. Minnie married Douglas Ogreen in 1959 and she gave birth to twin boys, Douglas and Dennis Ogreen. The young family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Minnie divorced Douglas Ogreen after two years of marriage and was united in marriage to Curtis Gandy on March 22,1962 in Cedar Rapids. She and Curt had four children together; Curtis, Lea...

Adeline I. Gutenkauf, 91, of Aitkin, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin. She was born May 31, 1932 in Nordland Township to Erick and Helen (Moline) Ecklund. Adeline spent her childhood in the Glory Community and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1949. Adeline was united in marriage to William "Bill" Gutenkauf in 1952. After spending time in Panama with Bill, who was in the service, they settled in St. Paul. Adeline worked at Prudential for over 30 years. She and Bill enjoyed reading, bird and wildlife watching, berry picking, trout fishing on the Brule River, walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake, deer hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country...

Earl W. Rocheford 81 of Aitkin, MN passed away Monday March 25th, 2024. He was born in Minneapolis, MN son of Walter and Gertrude Rocheford. Earl served in the United States Air Force. Earl spent his entire career working for the Federal Aviation Association. In retirement he served his community as a member of the Aitkin Lions Club. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and sister Gale Rocheford. He is survived by brother Paul (Myra) Rocheford, sister Kay (David) Martin, Special niece Darla (Steven) Gronlund, Nephews David D.W. (Christine) Martin, David (Kimberly) Rocheford, Michael (Joanne) Rocheford, Nieces Kathie Rocheford, Christine Rocheford and many other great-nieces and...

Wanda Lou Blakesley age 66 of Aitkin died suddenly at home on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at her home. She was born to Bill and Marlene (Feltman) Monse in a snow storm on March 26th 1957. Wanda was born, raised and remained a lifelong Aitkin area resident. Wanda was united in marriage to Lynn L. Blakesley on Feb 9 1979 in Aitkin. Together they made their home and farm, where they raised their 3 children: Scott, Misty and Jeff. She was very proud of her home and farm, her little ford tractor, her little red truck, and most of all her 3 children and 8 grandchildren. She enjoyed being at home hearing the sounds of the farm in the air, seeing a tractor leave the yard for the field, hearing the...

Alpheia Vopat 51, passed away on March 23rd. 2024 in Rapid City, SD. She was born to Karol Strouse in ND on August 28th, 1973. Karol married David John Vopat in 1979. Alpheia was lovingly adopted by David who raised her as his own. She spent her younger childhood years on a farm in rural Highmore, SD and attended school in Faulkton, SD. Later Alpheia moved to Rapid City where she graduated from High School. Her greatest blessing in life were the birth of her two children, Faeden David Vopat and Aria Ruth Vopat. She worked various jobs to support her family. With the loving support of her parents, she established a home in Rapid City and built a Christian foundation for her children....

Gregory Wallace Kosbau, 57, of Palisade and Blackduck, MN was born June 15 of 1966 in Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada. From the age of 3, Greg lived in Gilbert Plains, Manitoba with his foster family Irene and Walter Talpash and siblings Boris, Harry, Sonia, and Daria, all of whom he loved and remained in contact with throughout his lifetime. In 1974, Greg (along with sister Tammy) was adopted by Betty and Harold Kosbau and siblings Hal and Cathe of Grand Rapids, MN. Greg loved growing up with his family in Grand Rapids as well as living and working on the Kosbau Brothers wild rice farm near Aitkin, MN. Greg enjoyed school and was an exceptional student who excelled in all subjects, especially...

Pamela Marie (Wilson) Johnson, 56 of Aitkin died Wednesday, March 20, 2024 in Aitkin. She was born May 7, 1967 in Fridley, the daughter of Dennis and Rosemary (Nyberg) Wilson. She grew up and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1985. She earned her A.A. Degree in Child Development and her B.A. Degree in Recreation. Pamela was united in marriage to Andrew S. Johnson September 1, 2012 in Cambridge. She was a dedicated Life Skills Trainer for Oak Ridge Homes for 22 years. She devoted her life to helping those with special needs as a Camp Counselor, Special Olympics coach and a Life Skills coach. She was an active member of the Aitkin United Methodist Church, a Deaconess in the...

Raymond D. Keeler, Jr. 83 0f Palisade passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at Golden Horizon's in Aitkin. He was born October 21, 1940 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania the son of Raymond and Ruth (Hendricks) Keeler, Sr. Ray was a U.S. Army Veteran and former Scout Master while stationed in France. He enjoyed farming and spent the last 50 years in Palisade, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol in 2011, sister Robin, and his parents. Ray is survived by his 2 sons: John and Mike; daughter Jamie, several grandchildren; 4 brothers; 2 sisters; and many other special relatives and friends who mourn his passing. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of...

Allen Douglas Miles, 72, of Aitkin, formerly of Crosby, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2024 at his home. He was born August 31, 1951 in Crosby to Charles and Clarice (Judge) Miles. Allen was united in marriage to Sharon Ford on November 24, 1973 in Reno, Nevada. Allen was a very talented Stone Mason who built many fireplaces for 40 years with his best friend, Bob Tuthill. Prior to being a Stone Mason, Allen worked at Scorpion and Woodland Container. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, forestry/logging and traveling with Sharon to the North Shore and Acapulco. Allen's passion, however was Jet Skiing. Allen especially enjoyed time with his family, especially his grandkids. Allen is preceded...

Roger Dreher, of Aitkin, beloved by many, passed away on March 15, 2024 at the age of 70. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering support for those around him. Roger's love for the outdoors was evident in every aspect of his life. Whether it was hiking through the wilderness, fishing in the serene waters, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, he found solace and joy in the great outdoors. His adventurous spirit led him to spend cherished moments on Kodiak Island, where he found peace in the rugged landscapes and the embrace of nature's wonders. As an animal lover, Roger's heart overflowed with affection for his pets. His furry companions were more than just...

William Whitney Gault, 77, died on March 15, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis after battling complications from lung disease. He was born on January 1, 1947, in Sterling, Illinois. His parents moved the young family to Nashwauk, where his mother, Stella's family lived, in 1953. Bill had four younger siblings, was involved in a large number of shenanigans, and ultimately graduated from high school in 1965. One of his great loves was music. He played the trombone from a young age and was asked to play in the City Band while still in junior high school - a high honor. Bill's greatest love, however, was his wife, Mickey (Mildred Galbraith). Bill asked her to the junior...

Mary Susanne "Sue" Finn, 82, of Aitkin, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024 in Aitkin Health Services, Aitkin. She was born October 3, 1941 in Leader to Melvin and Francis (Warmuth) Degeest, Sr. Sue attended school in Grove City. Sue was united in marriage to Irenus "Finner" Finn on October 24, 1959 in Lead, South Dakota. Sue enjoyed gardening, cooking, fishing, yardwork, camping and especially spending time with her family. Sue is preceded in death by her husband, Irenus; parents; grandson, Chad; sister, Evelyn; brother-in-law, Harold. Sue is survived by 2 sons, Scott (Cindy) Finn of McGregor and Steve (Gay) Finn of Villard; grandchildren, Natasha and Sandy; great grandchildren,...

Denise Marie Rosenbaum, age 74 of Deerwood died at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby on March 14, 2024. She was born on March 10, 1950 in Robbinsdale to Thomas and Mary (Spruill) McCutchan. Denise married Edward Rosenbaum on October 20, 1973 in Brooklyn Center. She was a former Art Teacher with the Lake Region Christian School in Baxter and the Crosby-Ironton School District. She was a member of the Deerwood Baptist Church, attended the Bible Study Fellowship in Baxter, was a volunteer at the Hallett Library in Crosby and was a former Committee member that founded the Hallett Community Center in Crosby. Denise is survived by her husband Dr. Edward Rosenbaum; two sons, Mark...