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George Robert Johnson
George Robert Johnson, Canosia Township, last Justice of the Peace, died from the complications of Myasthenia Gravis. He was 74.
George was born in Duluth Heights. He worked on several Great Lakes ships including the William Irvin. He served in the Military Police for the 11th Airborne during the occupation of Japan immediately following WWII. He was a member of the Canosia Volunteer Fire Department, First Responder, until he retired in 1990. He also was a State Fire Warden for the last 37 years. He worked in the maintenance department at the MEI plant in Gary/New Duluth. He was active in organizing the employees with the United Steel Workers.
He is survived by a daughter, Deborah (Robert) Bloom; a son, Craig B. (Debbie), a grandaughter, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
Inurnment will be in Sunrise Cemetery in Hermantown.
John Daniel Willeck Sr.
Robert Willeck of Saginaw is saddened by the death of his brother, John Daniel Willeck Sr. He died Wed., Aug. 28, 2002 at he age of 84.
John was born in Duluth. He served in the U. S. Navy for seven years, and 20 years in the Naval Reserve, retiring as Chief Engineman. John was stationed in Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Vestal when the Japanese attacked. John's ship was along side the USS Arizona.
After his discharge, he built, owned and operated Willeck Brothers until 1985.
John is also survived by a daughter, another brother, three sisters, and three grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at Bell Brothers at a future date.
Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Napoleon 'Ernie' Ernest Fontaine
Napoleon 'Ernie' Ernest Fontaine, 86, formerly of Railview Apartments and Zenith Terrace, died Saturday, August 31, 2002, in Viewcrest Nursing Home.
Ernest was born in Bemidji, Minn. to Henry and Laura (Bruneau) Fontaine and lived in Duluth and Proctor since 1964. He was a heavy equipment operator for road construction and excavating working for several years for Earthmovers and was foreman for the City of Proctor's Street and Sewer Department. He was a member of the Internation-al Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, and a Straight 49er.
His brothers, Ami, Virgil, and Leonard preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife, Vivian; sons, Sheldon (Judy Aspling) of Gordon, Wisc., Clinton (Carol) of Phoenix, Ariz and Rodney (Bonnie) of Cotton, Minn.; sister, Pearl Laniel of Brooks, Minn.; six grandchildren, Michelle DeGrave, Brian Fontaine, William and Amanda Hunt and Jennifer and Marie Jacobson, and six great grandchildren, Jessica, Tory, Emily, Derek, Bailey and Brooklyn.
Inurnment will be in Sunrise Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Service.
Bernice M. Nordstrom
Kathy Hocevar of Saginaw is mourning the death of her mother, Bernice M. Nordstrom. She died Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 in Duluth. She was 82.
She was born in Duluth on Sept. 20, 1919 and was a 1938 graduate of Denfeld High School. Bernice worked at Klearflax Co., and later the former J.C. Penny store in the West End. She married Donald C. Nordstom in 1941. She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the Library Board.
Bernice is also survived by her husband of 61 years, Donald, two other daughters, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Clarence Ray Lawrey
Services were held for Clarence Ray Lawrey of Saginaw. He died Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002. He was 78.
He operated contract mail service at the U.S. Postal Service for 18 years, and was employed by Sebald Motors in Askov for 18 years. Clarence was a WWII veteran.
He is survived by his sons, Larry (Sue) of Woodbury, MN., Garry (Robin) of Park Rapids, MN; Terry (Barb) of Duluth; companion Laura Cheska; sister Priscilla Nicholiason; five grandsons and two great-grandchildren.
Interment at Sunrise Memorial Park.
Robert W. Hanson Jr.
Former Proctor resident Robert W. Hanson Jr.. died Thurs., Sept. 5, 2002 in a Duluth hospital. The International Falls' resident was 50.
He was born in Duluth. Bob had worked at the former Lyle Brothers Auto Parts and Towing in Duluth, and after attending the Duluth Vocational and Technical Institute, he worked for Koochiching County in its Highway Dept. and later in the Environmental Service Dept. He was a member of Proctor Moose Lodge #1302. Bob enjoyed hunting, riding his motorcycle and family gatherings.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Patt, brother Steve, and grandmother Gert Saice.
Bob is survived by his wife Kathy (Okstad) of International Falls, sons Bryan (Theresa) of International Falls, James 'J.P.' at home, daughter Autumn Hanson of Witchita, Kan., sisters Wanda (Jerry) McKinnon of Esko and Gloria (Robert) Winkels of Rochester, brothers Richard (Diane) Peterson of St. Paul, Ray (Sue) Hanson of Saginaw, Rusty (Sharon) Hanson of Inver Groves Heights, Ricky (Linda) Hanson of Columbia, S.C., and grandchildren Bryce and Tylor Hanson.
Alice Miriam Myrdahl
Alice Miriam Myrdahl of Proctor lost her battle with cancer and emphysema, Thurs., Sept. 5, 2002 in a Duluth hospital. She was 69.
Alice was born in Duluth. She was a 1950 Denfeld High School graduate. Alice was employed with the Gopher Restaurant and Lounge for over seven years, selling pull-tabs.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and brother Eric.
Survivors include her son Scott (Robin) Lundquist of Superior, daughters Pauline Bohlin of Proctor, Dawn VanValkenburg of Duluth and Laurie (Richard) Lindgren of Rohnert Park, Calif., her sister Elaine Clock of Phoenix, Ariz., sister-in-law Lois Forsberg of Hermantown, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Inurnment was in Bethany Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services.
Esther Viola Forsberg
Esther Viola Forsberg of Proctor died Thurs., Aug. 29, 2002 while visiting her daughter in Phoenix. She was 92.
Esther was born in Sunne, Sweden. She married Gustav Forsberg in 1928, and came to America in 1929. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, gardening and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gust, her sister Alice, son Eric, and one week following her death her daughter Alice Myrdahl passed away.
Esther is survived by her brother Axel of Sweden, daughter Elaine Clock of Phoenix, daughter-in-law Lois Forsberg of Hermantown, 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and ten great-great-grandchildren.
Inurnment was in Bethany Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services.
Sylvia V. Wiita
Former Midway Township resident Sylvia V. Wiita died Sat., Aug. 31, 2002 in the Walker Methodist Nursing Home. She was 88.
Services were held last week.
Memorials preferred to Pine Hill Lutheran Church.
Sharon E. Childs
Gary Cogswell of Proctor is saddened by the loss of his sister, Sharon E. Childs. She died Tues., Sept. 3, 2002 in her Coban Drive home. She was 51.
She was a lifelong Duluth resident and attended Denfeld High School.
She is also survived by two sons; two other brothers; her parents, Mae and Clarence Overby of Duluth; a granddaughter, many nieces and nephews and her beloved cat, Muffin.
Burial was in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral and Cremation Services.
Elsie Marie Anderson
Services were held last week for Elsie Marie Anderson of Saginaw. The 1941 Proctor graduate died Tues., Sept. 10, 2002 in a Duluth hospital. She was 81.
She was born in Lake Nebagamon to Gust and Sigrid (Johnson) Anderson. Elsie married Melvin G. Anderson on June 6, 1942, in Duluth. She was employed in the linen department of St. Mary's Hospital for over 25 years, retiring in 1986. Elsie loved gardening and her five cats and enjoyed embroidery and visiting with her many friends. She was a member of the Culver Senior Club.
She is preceded in death by her husband in 1987 and two sisters, Martha and Florence.
Elsie is survived by a sister Eleanor (Richard) Seppala of Esko, several nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to two very special friends, Fran and Karen, who would graciously drive Elsie and help her in many ways.
Interment was in Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown. Memorials may be made in Elsie's name to Friends of Animals.
