Mille Lacs Messenger

Little Falls, Minnesota............Sister Carol Virnig, 79, died on April 20, 2024, at St. Francis Convent, Little Falls, Minn. Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent on Thursday, April 25, beginning at 4 p.m. with a Franciscan wake service at 7 p.m. On Friday, April 26, visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Sister Carol Virnig was born on December 16, 1944, in Little Falls, Minn. She was the third of seven children born to the late Paul and Lucy (Pauser) Virnig. She was accepted as a Franciscan Sister of Little Falls, Minnesota, on July 31, 1964. She made her first profession of vows on June 13, 1966, and final vows on June 13, 1969. She...

Mary June Hughes passed away peacefully on April 14th, 2024, at the age of 94 years old. She was born July 4th, 1929 in Lancing, Michigan to parents Charlie and Bessie Anderson. She had one younger sister and three older brothers who she loved dearly. During her life she resided in several states including; Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Idaho, and Arizona. She returned to Minnesota in October 2018 and for several years was lovingly cared for by the St. Clare long- term care staff and St. Croix hospice staff. Mary celebrated the 4th of July as if it was just for her. She loved to entertain and never needed a reason to celebrate. She enjoyed singing, dancing, and country music. She was...

Zhaawan, Kenneth Mitchell, Jr., age 37 of Onamia, MN passed away on April 11, 2024. Visitation will begin at 7 PM on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the District 1 Community Center on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation. The Funeral Ceremony will held at 10 AM on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the District 1 Community Center on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation with Nazhike officiating. Interment will be in the Boyd Family Burial Grounds. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Kenneth Wayne Mitchell Jr., was born on June 27, 1986, in Onamia, Minnesota to Diane Nickaboine and Kenneth Mitchell Sr. He attended and graduated from Nay Ah Shing High School. Kenneth...

Waawiyekamigookwe, Elyssia Rodriguez, age 36, passed away on April 10, 2024. Visitation will begin at 7 PM on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the District 1 Community Center on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the District 1 Community Center on the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Reservation, with Baabitaw officiating. Interment will be in the Vineland Burial Grounds. Elyssia was born on January 29, 1988, in California to Michael and Wanda (Skinaway) Rodriguez. She enjoyed listening to music, cooking, being outdoors, and playing basketball in the park. Elyssia liked to spend her time with her children and friends. She...

In Loving Memory April 24, 1935 - April 9, 2024 Juanita Darlene Heitschmidt, age 88, joined the heavenly choir on Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, at the Mille Lacs Health System Memory Care Unit, Onamia, MN. Juanita Kobler was born on April 24, 1935 to Leo and Martha (Jarvis) Kobler in the city of Atchison, Kansas. She grew up in Hays, Kansas where in High School her love of music was singing and playing the trumpet, which was her favorite. She attended Fort Hays State College where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree. She was a trumpet player in the college jazz band and sang in the college choir where she met Larry, the love of her life. They were married on...

David Alan Larsen, 69, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024 at Mille Lacs Health System Long Term Care Center. A celebration of his life will be on April 28, at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia from 11:00- 2:00. (Note venue change) There will be a short service at 11:30. David was born March 7, 1955 in Litchfield, MN to Lois and Charles Larsen. David enjoyed growing up in small town and a successful athletic career at Grove City High School. He had a close-knit group of friends that remained constant in his life. He married in 1980 and later had two children, Justin and Jenna, and started his family life in Watson, MN then eventually, Lino Lakes MN. In 1995 he married Jamie Root and they...

David Alan Larsen, Onamia, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the age of 69. A celebration of his life is planned for Sunday, April 28, 11:00-2:00 at the Tulibee Tavern (former Wahkon Inn). Full obit next week.

Fern Larson, age 95, of Onamia, MN, passed away on April 3, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia, MN. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at the center. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Fern was born on December 9, 1928, in Onamia, Minnesota to Louis and Mabel Beckman. She was united in marriage to Ben Larson in Onamia. Fern worked at Federal Cartridge in Anoka, Minnesota for many years and later retired. She loved to spend time with her family and friends. Fern is survived by her sons, Steven (Lynda) Larson, Gregory Larson, David...

Fern Larson, age 95, of Onamia, MN, passed away on April 3, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Holy Cross Center in Onamia, MN. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at the center. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. A complete obituary will appear in the next issue.

Donna Lee McClain, 85, of Isle, MN, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. She was born on September 5, 1938 in Dalbo, MN to the late John and Amy Holmberg. Donna Lee was raised in Dalbo and attended Ogilvie High School. She moved to Isle, MN after marrying James B. Casper with whom she raised six children: Tim, Julann, Patty, Gail, John and Jill. She took great pride in being a homemaker, caring for her children and spending her time on the farm. In the late 1980s, she decided to begin a career at SuperValu in Isle where she thrived interacting and chatting with customers. On February 14,1986 she married her 2nd love, the late Roger A. McClain. Together they enjoyed...

Mary Jane Anderson died on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Aitkin Health Services. She was 85 years old. Mary Jane was born on October 14, 1938 in St. Cloud, MN. She raised her family in Bloomington, MN and then retired to Malmo. MN. She was a member of several quilting, embroidery and homemakers' clubs. Mary Jane loved her great-grandchildren, quilting, embroidery and the Minnesota Wild! She is preceded in death by her parents, Don and Irene Smith. Mary Jane is survived by her daughters, Gretchen (Ron) Okonek and Kris (Jeff) Fredrick; her grandchildren, Brad (Natalie) Okonek, Kari (Zach) Henry and Bryan (Liz) Okonek; her great grandchildren, Mackenzie and Beckett Okonek, Kinlee and...

Verna Lee Olden, age 83, of Onamia, MN, passed away on March 21, 2024, surrounded by and in the comfort of her loving family at the Mille Lacs Long Term Care Center in Onamia. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia, MN, with Minister Rick Gabriel officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at the church. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Onamia, MN. in April. Memorials in Verna's memory can be made to the Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation(mlaf.org). Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Verna was born on April 19, 1940, in Corwith, Iowa, to Lila (Benner) and Ernest...

Verna Lee Olden, age 83, of Onamia, MN, passed away on March 21, 2024, surrounded by and in the comfort of her loving family at the Mille Lacs Long Term Care Center in Onamia. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Onamia, MN, with Minister Rick Gabriel officiating. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service at the church. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Onamia, MN. in April. Memorials in Verna's memory can be made to the Mille Lacs Area Health Foundation at www.mlahf.org Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Verna was born on April 19, 1940, in Corwith, Iowa, to Lila (Benner) and Ernest...

Verna Olden, age 83, of Onamia, MN, passed away on March 21, 2024, at the Mille Lacs Long Term Care Center in Onamia. A Memorial Service will be held in April. An obituary will appear at a later date. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia.

Joyce Elizabeth (Warner) Sinko of Onamia, MN and Benson, AZ passed away on March 19, 2024, in Onamia, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Onamia, MN. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment will be in Little Flower Catholic Cemetery. Joyce was born to Mabel (Maas) and Emerson Warner near Franklin, Minnesota, on January 8th, 1931. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in Bird Island in 1949 and from Teacher Training in Glencoe, Minnesota, in 1950. Joyce later finished her teaching degree at Mankato State Teachers' College. She taught in many different places, including one-room...

Timothy Leroy Apel, age 66, passed away on March 15, 2024, at the Elim Home in Milaca, MN. A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Onamia Alliance Church with Pastor Kevin Sahlstrom officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Onamia, MN. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Timothy Leroy Apel was born in Onamia on October 27, 1957, to Marion (Rose) Apel and the late Kenneth Apel. Tim graduated from Onamia High School in 1975. He was married to his "childhood" sweetheart for 16 years (and I do mean "child" as he met her when he was 13). Their family...

Timothy Apel, age 66 passed away on March 15, 2024. Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Onamia Alliance Church with Pastor Kevin Sahlstrom officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Onamia, MN. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia.

Maynard Raymond Schwartz, of Milaca, MN passed away peacefully on March 14th, 2024, at the age of 78. Maynard was born September 3rd, 1945 in Bertha, MN to Walter and Wilhelmina "Minnie" (Poser) Schwartz. After serving in the US Army, he married Kathleen LaFore on December 22nd, 1973 in Foley, MN. Maynard enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout Minnesota. He will always be remembered for his delicious smoked fish. He is survived by his sister Marlys; children Lisa; Gordy (Jill); Wesley; Raymond (Carmen); Krystle; and 7 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his spouse, Kathleen; parents, Walter and Wilhelmina; brothers, Ronald and Donald; sisters, June and Shirley. A private...

Donald "Don" Sornberger passed away at his home on March 11, 2024. Don was born in Galesburg, Illinois on April 17, 1957 to Claude and Vera Sornberger. They later moved to the family farm in Onamia Minnesota where he grew up. After graduating from Onamia High School, Don joined the Army where he proudly trained and served as a medic. Following his honorable discharge, Don moved back to the farm to help care for several family members. Don pursued and achieved his lifelong passion of obtaining his Master Gardner Certification. He later worked as a florist for Dundee Floral and Nursery, Rosewood Nursery and as a Maintenance Manager for IRET Properties, all in the St. Cloud area until...

JoAnne (Josie) Nyberg, 58 years of Mound, MN passed away on Friday, March 8, 2024, at Methodist Hospital. Josie was raised in Prior Lake, MN and graduated from Prior Lake High School in 1983. Josie enjoyed many activities in life including fishing, hunting, trap shooting, and playing softball. Josie also enjoyed sewing, quilting, and reading. She worked at Thrifty White pharmacy and Costco pharmacy in Eden Prairie as a pharmacy tech for many years. Josie is preceded in death by her father Steven Perry. She is survived by her loving partner of many years, Perry Turbett, her three sons, Darrin Nyberg of Denver, CO, Matt Nyberg of Mound, MN, and Grant Nyberg of Steamboat Springs, CO. Mother...

Susan Sullivan, age 73, passed away on March 7, 2024. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Lakeview Community Church, Hillman, MN with luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to service. Susan was born in Princeton, MN on October 16th, 1950, to Herbert and Binnie Jane (Davis) Lance. She was raised in Onamia and attended Onamia Schools. She was married to her high school sweetheart, Ricky Sullivan, on July 13, 1968. Together they had 3 children. Throughout her life Susan had a variety of occupations but the most important one was being a Mom. Susan was a great wife, mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother who was kind and loving. She was...