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Betty Marie Nisula
Betty Marie Nisula, 78, of Duluth, died Friday, April 20, 2001, in the Chris Jensen Nursing Home.
She is survived by her daughter, Mary (John) Baier; a grandson, Rick (Katie) Wagner; three granddaughters; a sister, Marcie (Leonard) Soderquist; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Memorial service: 1 p.m. June 20 in Glad Tidings Assembly of God, 1902 E. Fourth St.
Donald R. Gimse
Donald R. Gimse, 85, of Savannah, Mo., Friday, May 25, 2001, in a St. Joseph Hospital.
Mr. Gimse was born May 7, 1916, in Virginia where he lived during his youth. A Minnesota state champion swimmer, he graduated from Virginia High School in 1934. In 1938 he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Minnesota-St. Paul, where he was a member of Alpha Chapter of Theta Tau fraternity.
In 1939, Mr. Gimse began his career in electrical engineering as a civilian employee of the Navy in Washington, D.C., and was responsible for the design of various fire-control systems for battleships.
On June 23, 1942, he married
another Virginia native, the former Leone Runn, in Washington, D.C.
In 1947 he moved to Duluth and began work as a chief engineer for Lakehead Pipe Line Co. of Superior. In 1967 he was promoted to assistant division superintendent and transferred to Bemidji. In 1969 he was promoted to division superintendent and transferred to Manistique, Mich. He retired from the company in 1981 and moved to Savannah in 1995.
He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Duluth, where he was active in church affairs and served as chairman of the finance committee. He also was a member of the BPOE (Elks) Lodge 632 of Manistique and member of IEEE, an electrical engineering professional association.
Mr. Gimse was preceded in death by his wife, Leone, in 1985; his parents, Pedar A. and Anna (Meistad Peterson) Gimse; two brothers; and six sisters.
He is survived by sons Thomas J. Gimse of Savannah and Peter Gimse of Carbondale, Ill.; daughters Sally Hart of Plymouth, Mich., and Karen Gimse of Marquette, Mich.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation: one hour prior to the 1 p.m. memorial service June 23, 2001, in Messier-Broullire Funeral Home in Manistique, the Rev. David Hueter officiating. Burial in Fairview cemetery, Manistique. Memorials preferred to any chapter of the American Lung Association.
John F. Blodgett
John F. Blodgett, 86, of Duluth died peacefully Monday, June 11, 2001, in his home after a battle with cancer.
He was born Dec. 18, 1914, in Lansing, Mich., to Myron and Helen Blodgett. John was a 1933 graduate of Central High School. He had worked for 44 years as a welder and ironworker without a serious injury. He had owned and operated his company, Metalizing and Welding. John had taught welding during World War II to people going to work in the shipyards.
He loved dogs, especially English bulldogs and Pekinese. He was always ready to give a helping hand or lend a tool or pitch a baseball game for his children and the neighbor kids. He was very inventive, and could always figure out a way to solve a problem. John was a special man who will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Minnie Blodgett; a sister, Minnie Blodgett; his first wife, Margaret (Swenson) and their unborn child; his second wife, Ida (Gonschorek); and his daughter-in-law, Linda (Johnson) Blodgett.
He is survived by his son, Warren F. of Duluth; a daughter, Joyce M. Blodgett of Duluth; a granddaughter, Heather L. Blodgett of Duluth; a brother, Omer Blodgett of Cleveland, Ohio; and a sister, Anna Joslyn of Milwuakee.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. today in Lenroot Chapel. Visitation continues from 11 a.m. until the noon funeral Thursday in Alliance Community Church. Burial in Lakeside cemetery. Arrangements by Hegstrom Family Funeral Homes, Lenroot Chapel, 2231 W. Third St.
Roderick V. Hood
Insurance executive
Roderick V. Hood, 91, died Thursday, June 7, 2001.
A respected insurance executive who was also active in numerous community and charitable organizations, Mr. Hood was born in Duluth in 1909 and was a resident of the city all of his life. He graduated from Duluth Central High School and the University of Minnesota, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Mr. Hood was associated with Liscomb-Hood-Mason, a general insurance agency, for 55 years. Hired in the depths of the Depression, he would recall years later that FDR closed the banks on his first day on the job.
He was the first Minnesotan (and only the sixth nationwide) to earn the insurance designation of Charter Property Casualty Underwriters. He served three terms as director of the Minnesota Independent Agents Association. He also served on the board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents of America.
In 1945 he was named by the Duluth Junior Chamber of Commerce as the Outstanding Young Duluthian. Mr. Hood was president of both the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Chamber, where he served between 1950 and 1953. He was also president of the Duluth Jaycees, the Duluth Builders Exchange, the Northern Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Lake Superior Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Duluth Underwriters Association, chairman of the St. Louis County Chapter of the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis and president of the former First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Duluth. After retiring, he served as chairman of the Benedictine Health Foundation.
A member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church, he volunteered hundreds of hours on the church's building and grounds committee. As one member put it, "there is probably no wall in the church that Rod hasn't helped paint."
Mr. Hood belonged to the Elks Club and to the Kitchi Gammi Club, where for many years he had a standing date for cribbage Friday afternoons. He recalled being dealt a rare 29-point hand and happily proceeded to trounce the opposition.
In recent years, Mr. Hood could be found twice a day, without fail, at the Benedictine Health Center tending to his wife, Mary.
Mr. Hood is survived by his wife, Mary Power Hood; his sister, Lucille Hood of Sacramento, Calif.; his children, Dr. Roderick P. (Kathleen) Hood of Duluth, Barbara Colvin of Oakland, Calif., Susan Hood of Santa Clara, Calif., and Leslie Hood of Alameda, Calif.; grandchildren Reid Colvin, Alison (Joseph) Kronzer, Roderick Hood, Christopher Hood, Kevin (Lisa) Hood and Sheila (Gavin) Pittman; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Sunday in Lakeside Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Northern Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Benedictine Health Center Foundation, or Lakeside Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, 925 E. Fourth St.
Zena Agnes Olson
Zena Agnes Olson, 83, died suddenly and peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, June 6, 2001.
Zena was uncommonly healthy and vibrant until the time of her death. She came to Duluth from London as the bride of the late Kenneth Olson in 1947. After raising her family, she taught knitting and crochet at the YWCA and worked at Wahl's and Montgomery Ward's department stores. For several years she appeared on a local television show to give advice about knitting and crafts. She nursed her husband, Ken, through a long illness and extended his life fifteen years longer than doctors predicted.
In her later years, she volunteered in the Foster Grandparent Program. Zena introduced Duluth to Yorkshire pudding, salmon cakes, fabulous roast beef and English trifle, and made tea drinkers out of everyone close to her, including some Swedes. She did the Charleston in a bowler hat on her 80th birthday. She loved lace, lavender, dancing, England and Minnesota, sang magical lullabies, was unfailingly elegant, and had poetry in her soul. "Lovely" was a word others used to describe her and one she often used to describe people she met. Though she followed her love to America, her heart was forever English. During her last days, she packed her bags for a five-week trip to her homeland, where she planned to reunite with her beloved sisters and brothers. Zena will be loved and missed on two continents.
She is survived by son Jim Olson and his wife, Anna, of Duluth; daughter Eve (Yvonne) Blackwell and her partner Tom Donaghy of St. Paul; grandchildren Jillian and Brian Steigauf of St. Paul, Peter and Jessica Olson of Duluth, Joshua and Marion Olson of Burnsville, Mally and Chad Anderson of Inver Grove Heights, Lanie and Errol Gilbertson of Duluth and Shawn Olson of Duluth; and also eight devoted great-grandchildren, Olivia, Jasmyn, Brady, Marissa, Brooke, Carter, Sophia and Riley. They will miss their loving "Grandnanny" also known as "Grandma Cup-of-Tea." She has a large and loving family in England and was also part Irish.
Service: 2 p.m. Saturday in the Spirit Valley Hall, 436 N. 57th Ave. West, Duluth, MN 55807.
William L. Gerber
William L. Gerber, 84, died Saturday, May 12, 2001, of cancer in his Gardena, Calif., home.
Born in Cusson, Minn., he moved with his parents, W.S. and Christina Gerber, to Duluth as an infant. He graduated from Denfeld High School where he ran the half mile on the track team. He joined the Navy at 18 and served with the U.S. Merchant Marines in the Indian Ocean during World War II. He later worked for the Navy Department in Long Beach and San Pedro, Calif. He was a member of the Gardena Planning Commission for 21 years and a feature columnist for the Gardena Valley News for more than 30 years. Previously he had edited and published the Holly Park Post Rider. He and his wife, June (Haugner), originally of Superior, were both inducted into the Gardena Wall of Fame.
He was an active member of the Masonic Order and the Shrine in Duluth and Gardena. In Gardena, he was much sought after as a master of ceremony and toast master.
He was preceded in death by brother, Victor; and sister, Margaret Fransk, both of Duluth.
He is survived by his wife, June; brothers Robert of Incline, Nev., and Herbert of Duluth; sisters Violet Malec of Chicago and Audrey Cloutier of Duluth; and numerous nieces and nephews in Duluth and Proctor.
His ashes were buried at sea near San Pedro under the auspices of the Neptune Society.
Mary Jean "Jean" Carey
Mary Jean "Jean" Carey, 80, formerly of 87th Avenue West, Morgan Park, died Thursday, June 7, 2001, in Edgewood Vista, Hermantown.
Born on June 17, 1920, in the Morgan Park hospital to parents Allan and Mabel Bibeau McDonell, she was a 1937 graduate of Morgan Park High School. Jean married
Harvey Carey in Duluth on May 31, 1941. She had retired from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Jean was devoted to her family and loved attending activities in which her children and grandchildren participated. She was a knitter and seamstress extraordinaire and made sure that each member of her family received one of her cozy afghans.
Jean was also proud of her Irish heritage. She was a lifelong member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Morgan Park.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Donald and John; and a son, James Donald.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Harvey of Hermantown; daughters Marilyn (Robert) Maas of Duluth, Jane (John) Cacich of St. Paul and Nancy (Steve) Waters of Duluth; sons Dennis (Bruce Taylor) of Minneapolis, Robert (Mary) of Cloquet, Patrick (Jeri) of Duluth and John (Tracey) of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; a brother, James (June) McDonell of Minneapolis; grandchildren Todd (Kristen), Rocky (Tracy), Darrin (Teri) Maas, Lisa (Dan) Lamirande, Ryan Carey, Lorelei Carey, Nicole (John) Carlson, Ben Elfert, Katie Carey, Lindsey and Allison Cacich, Stuart and Joel Waters, and Jimmy and Micaela Carey; great-grandchildren Jason, Branden, Lauren, Sheridan and Jordyn Maas and Luke Lamirande.
The Carey family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Vista for their tender loving care of both Mom and Dad. Special thanks also to SMDC Hospice.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. today with wake service at 5:30 p.m. in Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home. Visitation continues 1:30 until the 2:30 p.m. service Saturday in St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, Morgan Park. Burial in Oneota cemetery.
Ione Kathrine Morse
Ione Kathrine Morse, 63, of East Fifth Street died Monday, June 4, 2001, in St. Luke's hospital after a dignified battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully with her husband, Wally, and her family by her side.
Ione was born Nov. 12, 1937, in Virginia to Maurice and Iona (Kampa) Stickney. In the early 1940s, the family moved to Duluth, where Ione attended Sacred Heart Cathedral High School. After graduation, she married
Wallace Morse on June 30, 1956, in Duluth. In a few short weeks, Ione and Wally would have celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.
Ione was a member of The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. She enjoyed collecting, spending time with her family and friends, and creating a home where all who entered felt welcome and loved.
She was our "angel" and will be greatly missed by all who knew her and were touched by her love.
Ione was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Iona; her brother, Edward Stickney; and her sister, Maurine Lindgren.
Survivors include her husband, Wally; her sons, Jim, Rob (Toni), Brian (Tammy), Mark (Marcia) and Loren (Margo), all of Duluth, Tim (Angie) of Grand Marais and Eric of St. Peter, Minn.; a daughter, Kathy (Pat) Duffy of Bloomington, Minn.; a brother, Bob (Sue) Stickney of Duluth; a sister, Jackie (Sal) Loiacono of Coon Rapids, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 1 until the 2 p.m. Mass of Christian burial today in The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Burial in Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's hospice. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth.
Eleanor K. Harrington
Eleanor K. Harrington, 92, of Kenwood Avenue, formerly of Snelling Avenue, died Tuesday, June 5, 2001, in the Benedictine Health Center.
She was born July 9, 1908, in Eau Claire, Wis., to Michael and Catherine Kelley. She was a member of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary.
She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers and sisters; and her husband, John in 1988.
She is survived by her daughter, Maureen (Donald) Mosack of Palatine, Ill.; sons John of Duluth and Michael of Tampa, Fla.; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Burial was in Calvary cemetery. A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorials preferred to the donor's choice. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St.
