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Herb Torgersen
John “Herb” Torgersen, 83, Knife River, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay.
He was born Dec. 20, 1926, to Gust and Hannah (Gregersen) Torgersen in Chicago. He was a lifelong resident of Knife River.
Herb served in the Merchant Marines and U.S. Army. He was employed as a tugboat captain in the Duluth Harbor for several years then sailed on the Great Lakes as a First Mate for Pickands-Mathers. He was also a commercial fisherman in Knife River and Isle Royale, in later years, with his son “Torg.”
He was a member of the Sons of Norway, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Fortitude Masonic Lodge, and Knife River Lutheran Church. Herb enjoyed fishing, and the Bayfield Apple Festival.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly in 1998; a daughter, Rhonda Alme in 1997; and a brother, George.
Herb is survived by his sons, Mark (Cindy) of Knife River and Dale (Tracy) of Two Harbors; daughters, Gaye (John) Wilson of Parkville, Mo., and Robin (Joe) Pyrlik of Austin, Texas; 11 grandchildren, three great grandchildren; sisters, Marion Thomas of Alabama, and Evelyn Swanson of Phoenix.
Herb’s family would like to thank, Linda, Valerie, and volunteers from St. Luke’s Hospice, the Minnesota Veteran’s Home staff, and other volunteer care givers for their care in Herb’s last days.
Visitation begins at 10 .m. until an 11 a.m. service at at Knife River Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery inTwo Harbors.
Bill Mealey
William Mealey, 79, of Two Harbors, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010, at the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Silver Bay.
He was born Feb. 1, 1931, to William D. and Margaret E. (Carrell) Mealey in Minneapolis. His family moved to the town of Wales in 1933, where he grew up attending a one-room school through the sixth grade. When the school was closed, they were transported to Two Harbors, where Bill graduated from high school in 1950.
After graduating, he worked on a farm and for North Star Timber Company as a truck driver. He was drafted into the Marine Corps in March 1952 and served until 1954. He then went to work for the contractor in the construction of the plant at Silver Bay.
Bill worked for several contractors as a truck driver until he went to work for Reserve Mining Co. in Babbitt in March of 1956. He was a heavy equipment operator in the mine department until he transferred to the railroad car shop in 1958, then into the locomotive shop in 1960. He then transferred to the Nor Shore location to maintain the track equipment used for maintenance of way repairs. Bill worked there until 1979, when he was promoted and transferred to the transportation department in Silver Bay, moving the tailings to the Mile Post Seven tailings basin. Bill retired as the mobile equipment shop foreman in April 1986 after working for the mining company for 30 years and two months.
He married Phyllis Yung of Lakeville June 25, 1960. They lived in Babbitt until moving to Two Harbors in 1962. Bill and his wife raised six children, all graduates of Two Harbors High School.
He was a member of the American Legion. Bill served four terms as post commander, and served terms as the chaplain, finance officer, and adjutant of his local post. He served on the Post Honor Guard for more than 40 years. He also served as an Eighth District Commander, and several terms as a district vice commander, district adjutant, membership director, and judge advocate. He also served as a Minnesota department vice commander and six terms as a vice chairman on the National Distinguished Guest Committee. Bill was also a member of DAV; Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans in Canada-U.S. Unit (ANAVICUS); Knights of Columbus; and the Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He served 17 years on the Silver Creek Town Board.
Bill did a lot of volunteer driving, transporting veterans for medical treatment, a job he really enjoyed doing. Helping veterans was very important to him.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, James and John.
He is survived by his wife Phyllis, daughters, Katherine (Richard) Anderson of East Bethel, Martha (Mark) Kearin of Owatonna, Sharon of Grinnell, Iowa, and Janet of Owatonna; sons, Patrick (Sarah) of Bloomington, and Michael of East Grand Forks; sisters, Mary Hagen of Two Harbors, and Jane Holm of Babbitt; brothers, David of Silver Bay, and Dan of Babbitt; grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Megan Anderson, Thomas, Kevin, Claire, and Kathleen Mealey, Kelly and Margaret Suerth, Jacob and Joseph Kearin, and Bryant Juaire, and many nieces and nephews, and cousins.
Bill’s family would like to thank Linda and Val at St. Luke’s Hospice and the staff and volunteers of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay for their loving care.
A Mass of Christian Burial took place Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in the veterans section of Lakeview Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to the Veterans Transportation Fund of Lake County or the Recreation fund at the Silver Bay Veterans Home.
Eslie John “E.J.” Pratt Jr.
Eslie John “E.J.” Pratt Jr., of North Carolina died unexpectedly Sunday, April 18, 2010, at High Point Regional Hospital.
A native of Aitken, Pratt was born Dec. 28, 1951, a son of the late Eslie John Pratt, Sr. and the late June Hendrickson Pratt.
He is a graduate of Two Harbors High School and Vermillion College in Ely, where he played football.
He has lived in North Carolina the past 27 years and was a member of Marlboro Friends Meeting. For the past 26 years he has been employed at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Randolph County, where he was a member of the United Steel Workers Association.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Paula Zimmel.
Surviving are his wife of 18 years, Cheryl Allred Pratt; two daughters, Lauren (Obie) O’Brien of Randleman, and Leslie Brown; one son, Connor Pratt; two sisters, Sherry Farlow and Vera Oslon both of Cuba City, Wis.; one brother, Cass Pratt and his wife Laralee of Fair- bourne, Ohio and one granddaughter, Lillie O’Brien.
A service was held Thursday at Marlboro Friends Church. Memorials may be directed to the “Day Care Fund” at Marlboro Friends Church, 2668 Marlboro Church Road, Sophia, NC 27350.
Irene E. Smith
Irene E. Smith, 96, Two Harbors, died Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
She was born April 3, 1914, in Humbert, Pa., and grew up in Confluence. She lived in Virginia and Pennsylvania and first moved to Two Harbors in 1951. She moved to Cleveland in 1956 then New York and returned to Two Harbors in 1961. Irene was associated with United Church in Two Harbors.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn Smith in 1993; son, James Smith; brother, Vernon McCulley; and sister, Ruth Griffith. Irene is survived by daughter Loretta (Rick) Brandvig of St. Bonifacius; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many close friends in Two Harbors. There was a service Tuesday at the United Church in Two Harbors.
Leonard Bergman
Leonard Bergman, 65, Two Harbors, died Sunday May 9, 2010 in St Luke’s Hospital.
Leonard was born April 19, 1945 to F. Halvdan and Elin (Westlund) Bergman in Alvsbyn, Sweden, and moved to Two Harbors with his family in 1951.
Leonard is survived by brothers, Rolf (Marty) of Ohio, Robert (Doris) of California, and Larry (Susan) of Two Harbors; a sister, Rode Hanisch of Fairmont, MN; and many nieces and nephews
Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home.
Evar Forsell
Evar F. Forsell, 84, Two Harbors, died Wednesday, April 22, 2010, at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.
Evar was born May 13, 1925, to Carl and Erikka (Juth) Forsell in Two Harbors, where he was a lifelong resident. He graduated from Two Harbors High School before joining the Navy, where he spent two years as a deck hand in the South Pacific. After returning, Evar worked for the DM & IR Railroad for 34 years.
Evar enjoyed golf, walking, model ship building, and family gatherings. He was also a member of the VFW.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Linnea; and a brother, Leonard (Lois) Forsell.
He is survived by nieces and nephews Leonard (Sue) Forsell), Loretta (Jerry) Carlson, David (Annette) Forsell, Nancy (Ron) Johnson, Terry (Lori) Forsell and Tad (Stephanie) Forsell; and several grandnieces and nephews.
Services were held on Tuesday at Cavallin Funeral Home in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Solvay Hospice House.
Myrna Wyone Day
Myrna Wyone Day, 77, of Two Harbors passed away Saturday, April 24, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital.
She is survived by her children, John Baker, Adelmer (Dell) Day, Jr., and Darla Day; two grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.
A private service and cremation services was entrusted to the Cremation Society of Minnesota.
Martha Louise Blake
Martha Louise Blake, 89, SERVICES: Funeral at 2 p.m. today at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia. The Rev. Cheryl Berg will officiate. Visitation will be for one hour before the service. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery in Virginia. Memorials are preferred to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Virginia. Arrangements by Range Funeral Home.
Martha Louise Blake, 89, of Virginia died Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at the Virginia Regional Medical Center.
She was born July 2, 1911, in Hermantown, Minn., to George and Anna (Manske) Goeppinger. She grew up and attended school in Hermantown. On July 12, 1934, she married Wesley Blake in Taft, Minn. Following marriage the couple made their home on the Iron Range. She had been a homemaker. She had been a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and was active in its circles and was a member of the Virginia Senior Citizens Club and the Birthday Club.
Survivors include two sons, Kenneth (Gloria) Blake of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Russell (Arlene) Blake of Parkville; one daughter, Margaret (Bill) Muscatello, of Aitkin, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and their spouses; 18 great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; one brother, Fred (Dorothy) Goeppinger, of Duluth; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley, in 1991; her parents; and eight brothers and sisters.
Lawrence J. Kozitka
Lawrence J. Kozitka, 76, SERVICES: Funeral at 11 a.m. Friday at West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, Minn. Chaplain Tim Cook will officiate. Visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. today and for one hour before the service. Burial in Oak Grove Cemetery in Detroit Lakes.
Lawrence J. Kozitka, 76, of Dent, Minn., died Monday, June 4, 2001, in an auto accident near Glyndon, Minn.
He was born Nov. 12, 1924, in Staples, Minn., to Joseph and Elizabeth (Sleeve) Kozitka. He attended school there until the eighth grade and then attended an agricultural school in Grand Rapids for two years. He farmed near Ponsford, Minn., until the war began. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. After the war he came back and went to work for Kost Brothers Construction in Moorhead, Minn., and then Lakeland Brothers food distributing warehouse. On Dec. 8, 1948, he married Evelyn Mastin in Detroit Lakes and they divorced in later years. In 1956 he went to work for Reserve Mining Co. in Babbitt and worked there until 1979 when he retired. In his retirement he truly enjoyed going to auction sales and farming. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by a daughter, Dorothy (Bob) Martinson, of Detroit Lakes; sons, John (Mary Lou) Kozitka of Detroit Lakes and David (Lois) Kozitka of Frazee, Minn.; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a sister, Pearl Schumock; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and one sister.
Theresa M. Pecarina
Theresa M. Pecarina, 86, SERVICES: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia, with the Rev. John Doyle as celebrant. Visitation from 10 a.m. to the time of service at the church. Burial in Calvary Cemetery in Virginia. Arrangements by Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Theresa M. Pecarina, 86, of Virginia died Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
She was born in Bramble, Minn., to John and Tresa (Stolar) Pomar and lived in the Buhl area for many years. She was a graduate of the Martin Hughes High School in Buhl, Virginia Junior College and the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minn. She married Frank J. Pecarina on April 9, 1942, and had been a Virginia resident since then. She opened and operated Pec’s Tot Shop in Virginia and was a public health nurse for the St. Louis County Health Department. She retired in 1976 as the director of nursing at the Arrowhead Nursing Home in Virginia. Theresa was a member of the Martha Mary Guild and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Virginia.
She is survived by one son, Thomas (Patricia) Pecarina, of Virginia; one daughter, Catherine (Patrick) Edlebeck, of Duluth; and five grandchildren, John and Claire Edlebeck, Robert and Nicholas Galbraith and Angela Pecarina.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank, in 1980; and one grandson, Joseph Pecarina, on Nov. 8, 1995.
Richard L. Mattson
Richard L. Mattson, 87, SERVICES: Service at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. A luncheon at the church will follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
Richard L. Mattson, 87, of Virginia died Tuesday, June 5, 2001, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
He was born July 4, 1913, in Virginia to Matt and Hanna Mattson and attended the local schools and college. He served four years in World War II in the Army, with the airways communication system and with nativation aids to airmen, in the European Theater of Operations. He had been a member of the Lions Club, president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, member of the Elks, charter member of the Saturday Nite Dance Club and past president of the organization. He was active with charity drives and created the legend of St. Urho, which is celebrated every year on March 16. He was a member of the Northland Singers, the Northern Lights Players, the Kaleva Lodge and the American Legion. He had been a manager at the former Ketola’s Department Store for more than 40 years. He was married to Carolyn E. Lopp for 54 years, until her death in June 1994.
Survivors include children, Mary Hanna Davies of New York City, Carol Ann Osman of Buffalo, Minn., Kay L. DeCarli of Mason, Mich., R. Mike Mattson of Wadena, Minn., and Marc Mattson of New York City; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn; his parents, Matt and Hanna Mattson; and sisters, Mary Jane and Lorrain.
