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Alvina Sheldon
Former Proctor resident Alvina F. Sheldon died Sat., Oct. 16, 1999 in a Hibbing Nursing Home. She was 85.
She is survived by her husband David M., her son David W. (Linda) of Hibbing, a sister Bertha (Clifford) Grenberg of Sun City, Ariz., and grandchildren Dean, James and Jessica.
Chris (Warner) Kurttila
Chris J. (Warner) Kurttila, who grew up in Proctor and graduated from its high school, died Wed., Oct. 20, 1999 in her Worland, Wyo. home. She was 51.
She was born in Duluth to Russell and Harriet Engstrom. She graduated from Duluth Vocational Technical College with an associate’s degree in engineering. She was married to Thomas E. Kurttila in May 1979 in Duluth. They moved to Wyoming in 1979.
Chris enjoyed western wild flowers, hunting, fishing, antler hunting, spelunking and traveling. She had interests in photography, spending time with family and friends.
She is survived by her husband Thomas of Worland, sons Cory (Helen) Warner of Portland, Ore., Troy (Karen) Warner of St. Cloud, Minn., a brother Dan (Barb Coffin) Engstrom of Minn., sister Gina (Frank) Socha of Duluth, brother-in-law Fred Gauthier of Duluth, granddaughters Kaycee Warner and Katelynn Warner.
Norbert “Dutch” Bartel Gerads
Services were held Monday for Norbert “Dutch” Bartel Gerads of Nopeming. He died Thurs., Oct. 28, 1999 in Nopeming Nursing Home. He was 86.
He was born in St. Anthony, Minn. He retired from the U.S. Steel Plant in April 1971. He also worked at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church as a custodian for a year and a half.
He is survived by a son Ervin (Sharon) Gerads of Hermantown, daughters Janice (Wallace) Hiller of Hermantown, Carol (Cay Christian) Skare of Proctor and Elaine (Marvin) Spikberg of Saginaw, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Interment was in Sunrise Memorial Park.
Edward Martin Bartos
Edward Martin Bartos, who lived in Proctor and worked for the DM&IR as an electrician, lost a battle to cancer Tues., Oct. 26, 1999 in Duluth. He was 49.
He was born in Elvia, Iowa and grew up near Grand Rapids. After service in the Navy and graduation from Hibbing Community College, he worked as an electrician for DM&IR Railway.
Ed is survived by his daughter Christina Marie of Proctor, a sister Frances King of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and his father William of Wabana.
No visitation is planned. Interment at the discretion of the family.
Gerald Verner Johnson
Gerald Verner Johnson, who was a lifelong Saginaw resident, died unexpectedly in his home on Wed., Oct. 27, 1999. He was 64.
At 16 years of age, he began working full time with his own milk route. In 1996, he retired from Fleming Foods and the Minnesota Teamsters Union 346 after 30 years of service. Throughout most of their married life, continuing until his death, Gerald and his wife Marion provided a home for many elderly, handicapped and disabled people.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife Marion Tromblay in 1996.
He is survived by his son Gerald M. of Duluth, his daughter Susan M. of Saginaw, a granddaughter Christy A. Johnson, a sister Jane (Dick) Eimer of Duluth, a brother Roger Johnson of Duluth, and nieces, nephews, many relatives and friends.
Burial was in Grand Lake Cemetery, Twig.
Walter J. Malec
Walter J. Malec, who was born in Proctor, died Mon., Nov. 1, 1999 in a Virginia hospital. He was 81.
He was born to John and Mary (Farangus) Malec. He married Catherine Pecarina in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Virginia. He retired from DM&IR Railway in 1978. He was a longtime member and usher at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Virginia.
He was an avid bowler and a member of the American Bowling Congress. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1640, Disabled American Veterans Gopher State Chapter 8 and NARVRE Unit 72 Railroad Association.
He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Catherine, his son Walter (Susan) Malec of Minnetonka, his daughter Janice (James) Orf of Roseville, grandchildren Jeffery and Gary Malec and Nicholas, Bryan and Marya Orf, a sister Betty (Dr. Reno) Backus of Edina, brothers John Malec of Beach Park, Ill. and Frank (Peggy) Malec of Proctor, a brother-in-law Matt (Janie) Pecarina of Roxboro, N.C. and numerous nieces and nephews.
Burial was in Calvary Cemetery.
Marven Jacob Jorgenson
Marven Jacob Jorgenson, who was one of the last commanders of Proctor’s VFW, died Fri., Nov. 5, 1999 in his Seventh St. home in Proctor. He was 71.
He was born in Duluth and was a Navy veteran.
Two children, Kathleen Freitas and Patrick Jorgenson, died previously.
Surviving are children Eileen, Michael, George, Helen and Josephine Jorgenson, and Elizabeth Carpenter, 12 brothers and sisters, 17 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
At Marven’s request, there will be no service. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Alex Paul Taly
Alex Paul Taly, who lived in Proctor and was a master electrician on the DM&IR, died Tues., Nov. 9, 1999, in an area hospice. He was 81.
He was born, raised and educated in Moscow. He served in World War II with the Soviet Army, during which he was captured by the German Army and survived by his craftsmanship skills and electrical abilities. Alex married Lydia “Lilly” Chromenko in Lubeck, Germany in 1946. In 1951 he brought his wife, three children and mother-in-law to the area through St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which sponsored the family.
Alex was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Alex is survived by his sons Henry (Mary) of Minneapolis and Eugene (Pat) of Duluth, grandchildren Brian and wife Heather Harney, Debbie Harney and her daughter Abrianna, Jessica Taly, Jeffrey Taly and his son Ethan, and Jason Taly, and special friend Vera Socha of Duluth. The family wishes to thank St. Mary’s Hospice.
Interment was in Forest Hill Cemetery.
Roy L. Peterson
Services were earlier in the week for Roy L. Peterson, Sr.. He died Wed., Nov. 10, 1999 in a Duluth nursing home. He was 78.
The LaVaque Rd. resident was born in Duluth and was a boatswain’s mate second class serving in the Navy during World War II. Roy had been a Hermantown resident for 44 years. He and his wife Dolly owned Roy Peterson Sanitary Service for 36 years, retiring in 1986. Roy was a member of Salem Lutheran Church, Moose Lodge 1302 in Proctor, American Legion Post 71 and the Good Times Square Dance Club. Roy was an avid hunter, fisherman and Vikings fan.
Survivors include his wife Dolly, sons Roy L. (Laurie) Peterson, Jr. of Fort Collins, Colo., Duane M. (Donna) Peterson of Duluth, Thomas R. (Linda) Peterson of Hermantown, a sister Alice (George) Parker of San Marcos, Calif, grandchildren Patricia, Nicole, Brian, Heather, Ryan, Brady, Josey, Katie, Eric and Evan, a great-granddaughter Crystal, and his precious puppy Buffy.
Burial was at Hermantown Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Duluth VFW Combined Honor Guard.
Donald L. Nelson
Donald L. Nelson, this year’s Honored Rail during Hoghead, died Thurs., Nov. 18, 1999 in a Duluth hospital. He was 76.
Donald was born in Proctor and was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Proctor High School in 1941 and started his DM&IR railway career working in the Round House. Donald, along with Herb Klang were two of the last people hired by the railroad who started in the Round House and worked their way through the ranks to become engineers.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the submarine corps in the South Pacific. In 1947, he rejoined the DM&IR and worked as an engineer until his retirement in 1983.
Donald married Ruth “Tubo” Schultz Feb. 15, 1947. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Proctor, United Transportation Union and a former member of the Proctor American Legion.
Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth “Tubo”, in November 1988; a daughter Nancy White in September 1999; and a brother Marvin.
Survivors include sons Warren (Carol) and Alan (Gwen) of Proctor, a son-in-law Steve White, Sr. of Pioneer, Calif., grandchildren Stacey, Aaron and Chad Nelson of Proctor and Shannon, Stephen, Jr. (Kristina) White and Michael of Calif.
Service was Monday in Bell Brothers Funeral Home with Pastor Jeffery Holter officiating.
Interment was in Oneota Cemetery with full military honors.
Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.
Merlyn Dean Buchite
Kim K. Ankarlo of Saginaw is saddened by the death of her father Merlyn Dean Buchite. He died Tues., Nov. 16, 1999 in Pharr, Texas while on vacation. He was 62.
The Midway Road resident was born in Crosby and was a long-time resident of Duluth and Hermantown. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1955. Merlyn worked for Lakeshore Body and Equipment for 20 years. He was owner, with his son Clint, of Hermantown Hydraulics.
Merlyn was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers.
He is also survived by his wife of 36 years Janice Marie, a son, another daughter two sisters and six grandchildren.
Arrangements were made by Bell brothers Funeral Directors.
