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Wilfred Earl Cruser
Wilfred “Willie” Earl Cruser, 87, of Two Harbors (formerly of Gilbert) died Sunday, Aug. 21.
Willie was born May 12, 1924, in Sartell to Fred and Margaret Cruser.
He was a World War II veteran, serving from 1942 to 1946.
He married Denise Castelain Sept. 8, 1945, in Lille, France.
He worked at Hercules Powder Plant and retired after working for General Electric in Mountain Iron.
He was a member of the VFW Post 4456 in Gilbert for 60 years.
He is survived by his wife, Denise; his son Terry (Lynn) of Bella Vista, Ark.; daughters, Cheryl Elliott of Two Harbors, Linda (Ed) Kobe of Venice, Fla., Michelle (Ed) Putzel of Eveleth, DeRae (Kevin) Smith of Hinckley; nine grandchildren: Nanette, Tami, Michael, Jason, Terri, Kellie, Casey, Jenae, and Jacob; seven great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Willie was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and a great-grandchild.
In light of Willie’s preference, there will be no funeral service. There will be a private family gathering in his memory. He will be truly missed by his entire family.
Andrew Paul Foltz
Andrew Paul Foltz, 39, of Two Harbors, died Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011 at his home.
He was born July 23, 1972 to Frank and Lois (Lundin) Foltz in Chicago, Ill. Andy moved to Minnesota at a young age and graduated from Princeton High School in 1990. Upon completion of high school he went on to Cambridge Community College and Moorehead St. University where he studied music and business.
Andy enjoyed playing guitar, writing songs, and attending church and family gatherings. He played music for the elderly and had a heart for homeless people. He was kind, generous, thoughtful, and had a gentle sense of humor. He loved the Lord.
Andrew is preceded in death by his father; maternal and paternal grandparents; three uncles; and three aunts.
He is survived by his mother Lois; siblings Sharla (Lance) Green, Brenna (Brent) Jordan, Walter Foltz, Angela Foltz (Aleksander Tengesdal- fiancé), Sarah (Nick) Jordan and Samuel (Lydia) Foltz; nieces and nephews Frankie, Job, Becky, Mercy, Titus, Selah, Paul, Simeon, and Autumn Green, Jace, Jayva, and Jenaya Jordan, and Scion Jordan; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. until the 4 p.m. service on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 at Living Waters Fellowship in Two Harbors.
Eugene C. Wolfe
Eugene C. Wolfe, formerly of Silver Bay, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 27 in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was 76 years old.
Gene was one of many young people who migrated to Silver Bay in 1955, moving from the prairies of Southwest Minnesota where he was born and raised. His career with the Postal Service began in Silver Bay, moving from a part-time carrier to postmaster during the years up to 1972. From Silver Bay, he moved with the Postal Service to administrative positions in Virginia, Duluth, New Hampshire and finally California. He retired to Scottsdale Arizona where he enjoyed endless days of warm temperatures, sunshine, and golf.
Although many years had passed, his time spent with friends at the Silver Bay Country Club, the bowling alley, Silver Spoon restaurant, and Sunday afternoons watching the Vikings were treasured memories throughout his life.
Gene is survived by two sisters, LaDonna (Jim) Davidson of Great Falls, Mont., Carolyn Wolfe of Willmar, Minn., and his two children, Gene Jr. (Sydnie) of Duluth and Susan Wolfe (James Bohn) of Carlisle, Mass.
Virginia “Sally” Alice Stajer
Virginia “Sally” Alice Stajer, 85, of Duluth, went to be with her Lord Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Franciscan Health Center.
She was born June 17, 1926, to Jesse and Hattie (Holland) Baker in Wahpeton, N.D. Virginia was an active member of the former North Shore Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Paavala; brothers, Jesse “Buddy” and Bernie Baker; and her husband, Frank.
Virginia is survived by her daughters, Francine (Scott) Johnson of Two Harbors, and Shirley (Richard) Ackman of Blaine; sister, Cleone Phillips of Iron; brother, Donald Baker of Bemidji; grandchildren, Phillip (Emily), Travis, and Lydia Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation was Tuesday at Dougherty Funeral Home in Duluth. Burial was at Park Hill Cemetery.
Memorials can be directed to the Franciscan Health Center Activity Fund. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 727-3555.
Kenneth E. Johansen
Kenneth E. Johansen, Jr., 60, died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He resided in St. Croix Falls, Wis. He is survived by his son, Bryce Keeler; daughter, Leigh Lawrence; sisters, Irene Hagberg and Floarn Lott; and brother Fred Johansen. No services have been planned.
Ed Kernan
Ed Kernan (Two Harbors High School Class of 1944), a charter member of the Two Harbors High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and one of the city’s greatest athletes, passed away peacefully in Eau Claire, Wis., Sept. 29, 2011, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease.
While at Two Harbors, Kernan (nicknamed “Punky”) earned 10 varsity letters. There were three each in football, basketball and track. He also won the school’s first varsity tennis letter.
He was the captain of the 1944 Agates basketball team, and the Big 6 Conference scoring champion in 1943 and 1944, establishing new conference scoring records each year. He earned all-conference and all-district honors in basketball in 1943 and 1944.
In track, he won four first place medals at the 1944 district meet.
He was the quarterback and leading scorer for the Agates football team.
He also played American Legion baseball, and was named a Legion scholar-athlete. Kernan was inducted into the Two Harbors Athletic Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1997.
Kernan enlisted in the Army Air Corps following Pearl Harbor and began Cadet training upon graduation in the spring of 1944. World War II ended before he saw combat duty and he enrolled at the University of Minnesota in December of 1945 following an honorable discharge.
As a freshman at Minnesota, Kernan quickly won a starting guard position and Gophers coach Dave McMillan once called him “the greatest freshman basketball player ever” at Minnesota. From 1946 to 1948, he won three letters in basketball at Minnesota. During those years, he was the only Gopher player to score more than 100 points in all three years, was the highest scoring guard in the Big 10, and won honorable mention all-Big 10 honors all three years. He averaged more than 10 points per game in Big 10 games for his career and was the Gopher’s second-leading scorer all three years.
On New Year’s Eve in 1945, Kernan outscored George Mikan (17 to 11) as the Gophers upset No. 1-ranked and defending national champion DePaul at Williams Arena by a score of 45-36. The feat was noted in the Jan. 31, 2003, Minneapolis Star Tribune as one of the most significant events in the history of Williams Arena.
On New Year’s Eve, 2005, Kernan was honored as honorary captain for the Gopher game against Oral Roberts - 60 years after the victory over DePaul.
While at Minnesota, he won the Silver Spur award for service to the community and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity.
Following his graduation in 1948, he married Barbara (Bobbie) Iverson, of Bayfield, Wis., a former Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.
Kernan was awarded the 50-year diamond “M” pin in 1996, and was named to the University of Minnesota “M” Club Hall of Fame in 2010.
Following his athletic career, Kernan taught and coached at Robbinsdale High School from 1948 to 1953. His 1950 Robins basketball team finished second in the state to Duluth Central. At the time, Kernan was the youngest (23) coach in Minnesota state basketball tournament history.
After Robbinsdale, Kernan moved to Wisconsin’s Northland College in Ashland, where he served as athletic director, head basketball and baseball coach, and assistant football coach until 1963. His Lumberjack basketball teams won the Badger-Gopher conference title four times and never finished lower than third place. The Lumberjacks also made three NAIA tournament appearances under Kernan. He was named to the Northland College Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the school’s fitness center is named for him. While in Ashland, he also co-founded the Ashland Little League and was the league’s first president in 1960.
In 1965, Kernan left coaching and education and began a successful 24-year business career that included 10 years as the administrative director for the Cleveland office of Price Waterhouse and 14 years as the administrative director for the Sidley & Austin law firm. He retired in 1989.
Kernan was preceded in death by his parents, Edward James and Edith (Scott) Kernan of Two Harbors; his wife of 49 years, Barbara (Iverson); and his brother-in-law, Granville Zimmer of Houston, Texas.
He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Aleen (Welch) of Two Harbors; children, Edward James Kernan III and his wife Laureen of Orono, Barbara Lee Kernan of Eau Claire, and James Erick Kernan and his wife Jo Barth-olomew of Menomonie, Wis.; 10 grandchildren, Jessica Lee Kernan of Venice, Calif., Amanda Louise Roberson and her husband Cory of Knightstown, Ind., Edward James Kernan IV of New York; Jess Angus McCullough and his wife Harmony of Duluth; Graham Scott McCullough of Eau Claire; James Erick Kernan, Jr. and Caitlin McDermott Kernan of Palatine, Ill., Megan Kathleen Kernan, John Patrick Kernan and Catherine Marie Kernan of Orono; and three great-grandchildren, Michael and Anna Roberson and Cora Evelyn McCullough. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Evelyn Betsy Zimmer; a nephew, Robert Neal Zimmer; a niece, Betsy Presler and numerous cousins.
A visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors before an 11 a.m. service. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery. A light lunch will follow the service.
Memorials may be made in Ed’s name to the Lake County Historical Society or to the Iron River (Wis.) Lakes Association.
Ronald Aldice Erno
Ronald Aldice Erno of Glenwood, 69, died Sept. 27, 2011, at his home under the care of hospice and his loving family. His valiant and often miraculous struggle with cancer is over.
A memorial Mass to celebrate his life was held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood Saturday with Father Peter Kirchner and Father Eb Schefers officiating.
In July of 2000, Ron was diagnosed with ampullary cancer and had Whipple surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Through his positive attitude and prayers he was able to enjoy another nine years without additional treatment. The cancer metastasized to the liver and was discovered in August of 2009. At that time he retired from work but continued to travel, golf, and do whatever he could to enjoy life to the fullest.
Ron was born in Milwaukee and was the oldest of Al and Demerise Erno’s eight children. Ron grew up in Superior and Two Harbors and graduated from Two Harbors High School in 1960.
He was married to Linda Stenswick June 26, 1965, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors. In 1974, Ron and Linda, along with their children, moved from Two Harbors to Glenwood.
In Glenwood Ron first worked within the airline industry as a purchasing agent for Clyde Machines. He then moved into sales with WASP in Glenwood, a manufacturer of ground support equipment for the aircraft industry. He later returned to Clyde as a salesperson.
Through these years he was active in SAE, a group of suppliers of airline ground support equipment. During these years he also co-owned Green Valley Resort and owned J & B Cafe, Phillipe’s Pizza, and Franklin Street Diner.
Ron manifested his love of family and friends and his enthusiasm for his community in many ways throughout his life. In his community Ron was a Rotarian, serving as president; a Jaycee, serving as JCI Senator; Glenwood’s mayor; a Hospice volunteer; a founder of the Minnewaska Warm Up; a Waterama volunteer, serving as Admiral, parade marshall, and a great button salesman; Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight; a Charter member of Lions in Two Harbors; a driver for Post Prom Singing Valentines; a board member of Minnewaska Golf Club, Central Square, and Lakeview Care Center.
At Sacred Heart Catholic Church Ron was active in church choir, as a lector, in Marriage Encounter, Couple to Couple, as an usher, and working with Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) for high school seniors.
He extended his love to so many young people by becoming a foster parent, acting as Santa Claus for the Glenwood community for 25 years, and hosting exchange students.
Beyond his community, Ron loved to travel. His favorite destination was Florida and he encouraged many others to enjoy the warmth and sunshine of that state. Ron and Linda took numerous trips throughout the United States and overseas, visiting old friends and making new friends along the way.
Ron is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda of Glenwood; children, Coleen (Elliott) Anderson of Sanford, Fla.; Michele (Terry) Jones of Lowry; Jason (Christa) Erno of Shenyang, China; Dawn (Jerry) Belko of Brooklyn Park; brothers, Jerry (Judy) Erno of Sewickly, Penn., and Danny Erno of Duluth; sisters, Joanne (Bob) Anderson of Lexington, Kent., Judi Chandler of Monticello, Wis., Joyce (Bill) Korpi of Two Harbors, Lorrie (Bill) Forsyth of Duluth, and Mary (John) Hedin of Two Harbors; brother-in-law Bruce Stenswick of Eden Prairie; grandchildren Eliana, Isaiah, and Sariah Erno, Sam Jones, Amanda (Cody) Reimer, Alyssa Belko; and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Al and Demerise Erno.
Memorials preferred to Pope County Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Florence Alexander
Florence Alexander, 96, Two Harbors, died suddenly Thursday Oct. 6, 2011, at Lake View Memorial Hospital.
Florence was born April 5, 1915, to Gustav and Eleanor (Scherp) Graden in Two Harbors, where she was a lifelong resident and member of the United Church.
Florence was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Thorstein; a son, Gary; and brothers, Wallace, Roy, Alden , Myron, and Kenneth Graden.
She is survived by a son, Curtis of New Brighton; daughters, Joan (Tim) Lukkonen of Auburn, Calif., and Lou (Wayne) Alex-Andersen of Port Orchard, Wash.; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and her longtime dear friend, Ben Haack.
There was a funeral Tuesday at the United Church in Two Harbors. Burial was in Lakeview Cemetery in Two Harbors. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the United Church.
