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Raymond L. Wero
Educator, athlete
Raymond L. Wero, 81, of Celia Street died Monday, April 2, 2001, in Viewcrest Nursing Home.
Ray was born May 12, 1919, in Duluth to Hans and Saimi (Hendrickson) Wero. He was a graduate of Central High School and Drake University.
Ray was a gifted athlete who played basketball, pitched in fast-pitch softball, participated in track and was a rock-hard fullback, which he played for both Central and Drake.
He served as a master sergeant in the Army in World War II, serving in Egypt, Libya and Italy, and was even reported killed in action. After graduation Ray taught and coached in Beardsley, Minn., and in 1950 Ray moved to Hermantown, where he retired in 1979 as high school principal. Many people have said "Mr. Wero was the foundation that made Hermantown School what it is today."
Having grown up on Lake Avenue and Fifth Street, Ray and the friends he grew up with formed a special bond. He was the founder of Lake Avenue Loafers, which meets twice a year for a banquet, with several hundred members attending. Bruce Bennett wrote that Ray Wero was irreverent, wry, a guy with a steel-trap mind who loved to laugh, even at himself.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Evelyn in 1990.
He is survived by his special friend, Gladys Carlson of Duluth; and his good friends Dick Veech, Dave Olson and Gus Kohlts, all of Duluth.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. today and service 11 a.m. Thursday in Dougherty Funeral Home. Burial with military honors provided by the combined VFW Honor Guard at Sunrise Memorial Park. Memorials preferred in Ray's name to Hawk Pride, c/o Gary Bowen, Hermantown High School, 4335 Hawk Circle Drive, Hermantown, MN 55811.
Mildred V. "Milli" Lund
Mildred V. "Milli" Lund, 82, of East Eighth Street passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2001, in Chris Jensen Nursing Home, Duluth.
She was born Dec. 10, 1918, in Duluth to Jonah and Karin (Halldahl) Lund. Milli was a woman who was loved by all. She had an insatiable appetite for loving, caring and humor. She maintained her delightful sense of humor, putting her caregivers and friends at ease, right up until the end. Milli especially enjoyed children and was always able to relate to them no matter what their age. A visit with Milli was always uplifting.
Milli was a devoted and faithful member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church since her baptism in 1918. Milli also had long and esteemed careers, first with United States Steel and then with St. Louis Savings and Loan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Irene Lund.
She is survived by her cousins in Sweden; and hundreds of loving friends. She will be missed by us all. We love you Milli.
Visitation: noon until the 1 p.m. service Thursday in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, the Rev. John Sippola officiating. Inurnment in Park Hill cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Johnson Mortuary.
Bertil C. "Bert" Carlson
Bertil C. "Bert" Carlson, 79, of Hermantown died Tuesday, April 2, 2001, in Chris Jensen Nursing Home.
He was born in Mjolby, Sweden, on Aug. 20, 1921. His family came to America in 1926, settled in Duluth and later moved to Saginaw. He had attended Proctor High School. During World War II, Bert worked at Marine Iron and the Duluth shipyards. He later became owner and operator of Arrowhead Concrete Works with his two brothers. Bert married
Virginia Anderson in Duluth on June 1, 1946.
He was a member of First Covenant Church and served on the board of its Friendly Folks Club. He also was a member of Top Notchers and Keenagers clubs. He was a past master of Trinity Masonic Lodge, served on its Board of Trustees as treasurer for 18 years, was awarded the Trinity Lodge Master Mason of the Year and also the Hiram award for outstanding service. Bert was an officer in the Scottish Rite Bodies, Valley of Duluth; commander of the Duluth Council of Kadash and earned recognition as a Knight Commander of the Court of Honor; member of Aad Temple Shrine and its directors staff as well as the Ela-Ala-Grotto. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, from which he was appointed representative of the Grand Lodge of Sweden. He served on the Hermantown Utility Commission and received an award for outstanding service. Bert will also be remembered for his pancake breakfasts and homemade potato sausage noon lunches at Trinity Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Hjalmer "Jolly"; and a son-in-law, Jerry Smith.
Bert is survived by his wife, Virginia; daughters Linda (Jeff) Crider and Janet Smith, both of Hermantown; a brother, Andy (Everiene) of Duluth; a sister, Ollie (Gil) Johnson of Duluth; grandchildren Charles "Chuck" (Debbie) Crider, Amy (Brian) Vittorio, Tina Crider, Jesse Smith and Holly Smith; and seven great-grandchildren.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday in Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home. Visitation continues noon until the 1 p.m. service Friday in First Covenant Church. Entombment in Sunrise cemetery. Memorials preferred.
George F. "Mickey" Archambault
George F. "Mickey" Archambault, 92, of Maple Grove Road died Monday, April 2, 2001, in Benedictine Health Center.
Services pending. Full obituary in Thursday's newspaper. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave. W.
Elmer A. Pierson
Elmer A. Pierson, 93, longtime Duluth resident died Saturday, April 6, 2001, in Lake Haven Manor.
He was born in Tioga, N.D., and served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe with the United States Army during World War II. He was employed with Coolerator and as a millwright with the Scott-Graft Co. for more than 27 years, retiring in 1969. Uncle Al was a member of Elim Lutheran Church, Fox Sutherland VFW Post No. 6320, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge No. 1478, and he enjoyed fishing and watching baseball. His wife, Ellen, died in 1973.
He will be sadly missed by several nieces and nephews, including Gerald and Kathy Marshall and Robert and Diane Marshall of Duluth.
Visitation: 1 until the 2 p.m. service Tuesday in Elim Lutheran Church. Burial in Oneota cemetery with military honors accorded by the Duluth VFW Honor Guard. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave W.
Helen L. Youngstrand
Active citizen in Duluth
Helen L. Youngstrand of Northland Avenue died Friday, April 6, 2001, in her home.
Born in Tromwald, Minn., she was a graduate of Cloquet High School, Duluth Junior College, St. Luke's School of Nursing and had retired as a registered nurse from St. Luke's Hospital.
Active in the community in many ways, she held the following positions, among many others. She served as chair of United Christian Fellowship and Church Women United; was a docent at Glensheen since its opening in 1979 and served as secretary of the Glensheen Docent Council. She was president of Duluth Garden Flower Society and helped with starting new DGFS garden spots in areas of our city; past president of Lakeview Garden Club; board member of Minnesota State Horticultural Society and eighth district president of Women's Institute of Duluth. She also worked in the Soup Kitchen, Duluth Gospel Mission and church bazaars, was a contributing member of Arrowhead Poets and Minnesota League of Poets, submitting award poems for North Country Cadence, Minnesota Moccasin, local papers, church publications and St. Mary's Express. Her poems were printed in national anthologies and published in "Northland Impressions." Helen gave programs of memorized poetry, serious and humorous readings, and for the Flower Hat show.
She received awards for entries and arrangements in DGFS Christmas and summer flower shows, served on the city planning commission board, was state president of Independent Insurance Agents Auxiliary and also served as treasurer volunteer at St. Luke's, Miller-Dwan, St. Mary's and Lakeshore Lutheran Home. She was a docent at Tweed Gallery for student tours and chaired senior activities for the Duluth Bicentennial. She was a board member of YWCA and assisted with filing its history for its 100th anniversary, served as chair of Ways and Means for revival of symphony balls, "Gay Nineties" and "Stairway to the Stars." She served as secretary to WADSO and helped on "Basin Street Blues" and other open houses.
She was president of the Women's Association of the Duluth-Superior Symphony, president of Chisholm Museum and served on the Title 1 State Committee for the Gifted Child; was secretary of Duluth's Heart Association and State Board for four years; served as trustee on Channel 8's board for 12 years. She was a member of Booster Club, served on recent Rose Garden appreciation receptions for city flower contestants, chaired several Duluth Day Luncheon committees including program, luncheon, hostessing; was nominated for Woman of the Year; had roles in four Duluth Playhouse productions and served on props and hostessing committees. She solicited funds for cancer, heart, United Way and Channel 8 support.
Helen spoke on Bayfront development at a general meeting of the planning commission and City Council session. She attended several City Council meetings for Glensheen and other city interests as a participant in 2001 Project.
She volunteered one day a week in the Endoscopy Department at SMDC and served on the Volunteer Advisory SMDC Board. She chaired World Day of Prayer at Duluth Congregational Church, had poetry published on different subjects for area news outlets, such as SMDC EXPRESS, church newsletters and area publications. Helen also visited shut-ins and helped with Soup Kitchen, contributed to CHUM, Gospel Mission, Loaves & Fishes and held a meeting with contributors to Salvation Army.
She was a member of the School Volunteer Reading program in grade schools, chaired United Christian Fellowship which fellowships with over 50 churches, attended a weekly Bible study and was available as a speaker and program person for churches. Helen kept abreast of grandchildren's activities and she babysat and followed up on neighbor children. As a hostess, she entertained for many groups besides the garden and church groups, entered flower contests, and did her own rock garden and lawn upkeep.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Lillian Haakenson Hansen; her husband, Elmer A. "Al, "; a sister, Mary Ann Elizabeth Hansen; brothers Hartvik Hansen and James Norman.
Helen is survived by sons Kurt (Jane) of Loveland, Colo., Fredric (Mary) of Duluth and Mark (Valery) of Plymouth, Minn.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday in Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home and from noon until the 1 p.m. service Wednesday in Lakeview Covenant Church. Inurnment in Park Hill cemetery. Memorials to the Duluth Garden Flower Society or Glensheen Foundation preferred
Cecelia Francisco
Cecelia Francisco, 82, of Maple Bend Drive died Friday, April 6, 2001, in Viewcrest Health Center.
She was born in Duluth and attended St. James Catholic School and Denfeld High School. Cecelia married
Armen Francisco in 1941. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed working in her garden. She spent many hours on her sewing projects which she loved being able to give away to others. She worked as a sales clerk at Wahl's Department Store and Plaza Children's Shop.
She is survived by her husband, Armen; a son, Jeffery (Royann) Francisco and grandchildren Justin and Megan, all of Hermantown.
Visitation: 4-7 p.m. today with wake prayers at 4 p.m. in Dougherty Funeral Home. Service 11 a.m. Monday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Duluth Heights. Burial in Calvary cemetery.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Duluth.
Geraldine Clara Stipe
Geraldine Clara Stipe, 79, of West Mulberry Street died Friday, April 6, 2001, in her home.
Gerry was born in Duluth and had been a lifelong resident. She was formerly employed as a clerk with the Glass Block department store for 20 years and also worked at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich for eight years. Gerry was a 1939 graduate of Denfeld High School, a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Duluth Heights, its Plus 55 Club and the funeral lunch committee, American Legion Auxiliary 71, and Lifetime Auxiliary VFW 137. Gerry married
Rollin Stipe on Aug. 29, 1942.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Anton Kanesky; brothers Anthony and Francis; and a sister, Bernadette Lewis.
Gerry is survived by her husband, Rollin of Duluth; sisters Mariam Minotte of Duluth and Verona Brown of Overland Park, Kan.; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. service Tuesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Duluth Heights. Burial in Sunrise Memorial Park. Memorials to St. Joseph's Church or the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.
Elvera Posch
Elvera Posch, 87, of Wicklow Street died Friday, April 6, 2001, in Duluth.
She was born July 24, 1913, in Kettle River, Minn., to Matt and Mathilda (Niemela) Haikonen. She lived in Cloquet and worked for the Rev. Mikelson at Apostolic Lutheran Church, Esko, where she had been an active member.
She married
Edward Posch Sept. 5, 1939, in St. Clement's Catholic Church, Duluth. She held many positions during her life, and retired from the Gold Bond Redemption Center. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and the former St. Jean the Baptiste Catholic Church. She was very active in the organizations to which she belonged. She was a member of the Eagles Club, having served as president of the Women's Auxiliary Aerie 1163 and as the captain of the drill team. She was a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge 505, where she attained the position of senior regent, and later a member of the Women of the Moose Lodge 1478.
She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who, although she was active outside the home, still made her family the center of her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward, Sept. 20, 2000; and sisters Esther Valentine, Emma Clifford, and Ailie Gorkoski.
She is survived by sons Terry of Duluth and Robert (Nancy) of West Rutland, Vt.; daughters Janice Martin of Duluth and Karen (Charles) Lambert of Superior; a sister, Effie Martin, of Duluth; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Chris Jensen Health Rehabilitation Center for their kindness, compassion, and professionalism.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial Tuesday in Holy Family Catholic Church. Burial in Polish Catholic cemetery. The family will direct any memorials through the Eagles to Elvera's favorite charity, Father Cassidy's Home on the Range for Boys and Girls in North Dakota.
Arrangements by Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home.
