Search Archived Marriage Records
Robert Besser
Robert Besser, 91, died Thursday, July 19, 2001, in a Las Vegas care center.
He was born Oct. 8, 1909, in Duluth to Ludwig and Anna Besser. He was a machinist for U.S. Steel Co. He moved to Bishop, Calif., then to Sutherlin, Ore., and lived in Las Vegas for the past four years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Verna; sisters Emma Ekholm, Louise Meehan; a brother, Emil Besser; and a nephew, David Ekholm.
He is survived by his son, Robert Jenest of Las Vegas; a sister, Adele Besser Carlson of Duluth; and several nieces and nephews.
Charles W. Redepenning Sr.
Charles W. Redepenning Sr., 71, passed away Wednesday, July 25, 2001.
He was born in Duluth on May 21, 1930. At age 20 he joined the Air Force and was assigned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. There he met his soulmate, Henrietta Sievers, and thus began a lifelong love story that produced 49 beautiful years of marriage, four happily married
children and eight grandchildren from age 1 to 26.
His 29 years of active duty took Chuck and his family from San Antonio to Florida, Turkey, Nevada, Japan, Washington D.C., Panama and back to San Antonio. There he retired at the highest NCO rank, chief master sergeant, and then began a 15-year civil service career, in which he traveled the world designing, building and inspecting commissaries.
Chuck had a passion for running. He competed in hundreds of races including 50 marathons, winning most of them and placing in the others. He had a passion for gardening, constantly coaxing from the earth an astonishing array of magnificent flowers. He had a passion for holidays, perennially creating a Christmas light display that dazzled all within a five-mile radius. He was passionate about people, making fast friends of all who crossed his lively path. But most of all, his passion was for his beautiful bride and family, and the Lord Jesus who guided them all.
He is survived by his wife, Henrietta; daughter Kathi Dooley and husband, Sean, and children Erin and Ian of San Antonio; son Charles Redepenning Jr. and wife, Kay, and children Libby and Charlie of Concord, Mass.; daughter Roxanne Barnett and husband, John, and daughters Lauren and Samantha Fisk of San Antonio; and son Scott Redepenning and wife, Allison, and children Molly and Collin of Houston. He is also survived by his brother, Roland, and wife, Elaine, of Duluth; and an extended family of in-laws, nieces and nephews numbering in the hundreds.
Arrangements by Porter Loring Mortuary North, 2102 N. Loop 1604 East, San Antonio, Texas 78232, (210) 495-8221.
Glenn B. Ward
Glenn B. Ward, of Clarendon Hills, Ill., formerly of Duluth, passed away Saturday, May 5, 2001, in his home of natural causes.
The middle son of Fern Brooks and Dr. Myron Earl Ward, Glenn was born in Duluth on Oct. 10, 1919. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1937 and attended Duluth Junior College before joining the Duluth National Guard (125th Field Artillery). In 1939, on his father's recommendation, Glenn moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University and began working for Ryerson Steel Co.
On Oct. 10, 1942, Glenn married
Myrtle M. Loh, daughter of John and Cecilia Loh of Tofte, in Philadelphia, before being shipped overseas as an officer with the Chicago 202nd Coast Artillery Regiment.
Upon return from the war, Glenn accepted a commission in the Army Reserve through January 1953. He remained a member of the National Guard until 1986.
After the war, Glenn and Myrtle and their infant daughter, Joan, settled in Elmwood Park, Ill., where he returned to work at Ryerson while completing his bachelor and master's degrees at Northwestern University and Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. He retired from Ryerson (Inryco) after 42 years, May 1, 1981.
Glenn was an active member of Brookfield United Methodist Church in Brookfield, Ill., and the Clarendon Hills Lions Club. Over the years he had served his communities in many capacities, including as a member of the School Board and the Clarendon Hills Library Board. Glenn was a volunteer at Hinsdale Hospital and was an avid golfer and bridge player.
One of Glenn's favorite pastimes was driving to his cabin in Wisconsin, to his daughters' homes in Minnesota, to Duluth to visit old friends and to the North Shore to visit his wife, Myrtle's, family. He also liked to drive to various parts of the United States to visit friends and places from his past.
Glenn was predeceased by his loving wife, Myrtle, in 1982; his son, Dennis, in 1994; and his brother, Dick.
He is survived by his brother, David (Bonnie) Ward of Arizona; his sister-in-law, Marie (Richard) Ward of Minneapolis; his daughters Joan L. Ward of Baja, Mexico, and Sheryll B. Soderdahl of Minneapolis; as well as many nieces and nephews. Glenn enjoyed his five grandchildren, Andy Hackbert of San Francisco, Chris (Tom) Schultze, Myke Hubbard, Katie Soderdahl and John Hubbard of Minneapolis; and his great-grandchildren Sam and Mallory Schultze.
A memorial service was held Saturday, May 12, 2001, in Hinsdale, Ill. Glenn will be buried in Tofte cemetery, next to his wife, Myrtle, and son, Dennis, immediately following a memorial service at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, in Zoar Lutheran Church, Tofte. Arrangements by Cavallin Funeral Home, Two Harbors.
Donations for a scholarship in Glenn's memory are being accepted by the Clarendon Hills Lion Club/Foundation, P.O. Box 62, Clarendon, IL 60514.
Marjorie Williams Reed
Marjorie Williams Reed, of Arlington Heights, Ill., formerly of Morgan Park, passed away Monday, June 4, 2001.
She is survived by a son, David Reed of Illinois; and a daughter, Georgia (Don) King of Missouri.
Memorial service: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown.
Helen V. Knutsen
Helen V. Knutsen, 88, of Juniata Street died Monday, July 23, 2001, in St. Luke's hospital.
She was born in Duluth on May 5, 1913, to parents Henry and Gertrude Erickson Johnson. Helen married
Leonard C. Knutsen on May 13, 1932, in Duluth. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. An avid fisherman, Helen especially liked fishing Grand Lake. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant daughter, Helen Lenore; sisters Alphie and Verna Johnson and Myrtle Wallin; and a brother, Henry.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Joan Sandy of Duluth; sons Warren (Barbara) of Tucson, Ariz., Jeffrey (Heidi) of Duluth and Greg of Duluth; grandchildren Gail (Ram Singh) Sandy, Debbie (Tom) Olson, Lynda (Bill) Drussel, Cheryl (Todd) Carlson, Jon (Kelly) Sandy, Robert Knutsen, James (Angie) Knutsen, Thomas (Melanie) Knutsen, Kristian Knutsen, Erik Knutsen, Anders Knutsen, Carsten Knutsen and Jessica Knutsen; 13 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Alice Ness.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. today and continues from 12:30 until the 1:30 p.m. service Saturday in Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home. Burial in Twig cemetery.
Harvey G. Olson
Harvey G. Olson, 79, of Arbutus Drive died Wednesday, July 25, 2001, in his home.
He was born in Barron, Wis., and had lived in the Duluth area most of his life. He worked as a heavy-equipment operator for Hedenberg Construction Co. and retired in 1982. He had also worked for Modern Constructors. He joined the Army National Guard in 1939 and served with the Army in Europe and North Africa during World War II.
He was involved in his community, working as a Boy Scout leader and had received the Silver Scout Award. A long-standing and active member of Forbes United Methodist Church, he served on many committees. He sang in the church choir for over 35 years. He was a member of the West Duluth American Legion Post 71 and the West End VFW Post 137.
Harvey loved to go on fishing trips with his family and friends. He was an excellent bowler, active in league bowling until last year. He also loved golf and spent many days on the Proctor Golf Course.
His parents were August and Ruth Johnson Olson. Also preceding him in death were brothers Alden and LeRoy and his stepmother, Mildred Olson.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Thelma; children Connie (David) Stanley of Proctor, Terry (Nancy) Olson of Proctor, Steve (Diane) Olson of Sturgeon Lake and Michael Olson of Twig; sisters Marlene Smouse of Scranton, Iowa, Beverly Swanson of Durham, N.C., Nancy Wilson of Marietta, Ga., Julie Malm of Gary, Ind., and Bonnie Olson of Hurley, Wis.; brothers George Olson of Proctor, DeWayne Olson of Duluth and David Olson of Hermantown; grandchildren Krista Soderstrom, Rebecca, Matthew, Katherine and Jeffrey Olson, Sarah and Anna Sederski and Will Stanley; and a great-grandson, Luke Soderstrom.
Harvey was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was also a good friend to many, a hard worker and loved to help his family and friends with projects. He will be sadly missed.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. today in Bell Brothers Chapel. Service at 11 a.m. Saturday in Forbes United Methodist Church, Proctor. Burial in Augustana Lutheran Church cemetery. Family prefers memorials directed to Forbes United Methodist Church. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave. W.
George Warren Flaim
George Warren Flaim, 79, of Trinity Road died Tuesday, July 24, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 24, 1922, in Virginia to George and Jennie (Bowman) Flaim I. He attended Duluth State Teachers College and the Duluth Art Institute. An Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he served 22 months in the South Pacific. He married
Elaine Alaire Raumer on March 7, 1943, in Winfield, Kan. A Duluth resident since 1946, he was owner/operator of Tom Storey Taxidermy from January 1947, until his retirement in October 1978.
He was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, a national director for the North American Falconry Association, president of seven gun clubs, served on two Mayoral Advisory Committees, a past director of the Duluth Zoo, an honorary member of Parker Shot Gun Publications, a member of the American Legion and the Carlton County Gem & Mineral Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Flaim Nelson of Proctor; and a brother, Glen "Books" Flaim of Virginia.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Elaine; sons George III of Duluth and Frank (Debra) of Fridley, Minn.; daughters Kathleen Cline of St. Paul and Jennifer (Gary) Pitoscia of Duluth; a sister, Janet (Ronald) Wilen of Eveleth; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday in Jarvi-Dowd Chapel. Services are private. Burial in Greenwood cemetery, Virginia. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, 925 E. Fourth St.
Helen V. Knutsen
Helen V. Knutsen, 88, of Juniata Street died Monday, July 23, 2001, in St. Luke's hospital.
She was born in Duluth on May 5, 1913, to parents Henry and Gertrude Erickson Johnson. Helen married
Leonard C. Knutsen on May 13, 1932, in Duluth. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. An avid fisherman, Helen especially liked fishing Grand Lake. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband; an infant daughter, Helen Lenore; sisters Alphie and Verna Johnson and Myrtle Wallin; and a brother, Henry.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Joan Sandy of Duluth; sons Warren (Barbara) of Tucson, Ariz., Jeffrey (Heide) of Duluth and Greg of Duluth; grandchildren Gail (Ram Singh) Sandy, Debbie (Tom) Olson, Lynda (Bill) Drussel, Cheryl (Todd) Carlson, Jon (Kelly) Sandy, Robert Knutsen, James (Angie) Knutsen, Thomas (Melanie) Knutsen, Kristian Knutsen, Erik Knutsen, Anders Knutsen, Carsten Knutsen and Jessica Knutsen; 13 great-grandchildren; and special friend, Alice Ness.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday and continues from 12:30 until the 1:30 p.m. service Saturday in Williams-Lobermeier Funeral Home. Burial in Twig cemetery.
Agnes E. Sneide
Agnes E. Sneide, 81, of Duluth passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
Agnes was born to Paul and Petrine (Kalnes) Sneide on Nov. 20, 1919, in Duluth. She was a secretary for Superwood Corp. for a number of years until she retired.
Agnes was a member of First Lutheran Church in Duluth, and a member of the church's choir and Phoebe Circle. She was also a member of Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Gerhard Sneide.
Surviving are her sister, Thelma Hartwick of Alpena, Mich.; brothers Harold (Alleta) Sneide of St. Paul and Paul (Janice) Sneide of Waukesha, Wis.; sister-in-law Joneal Sneide of St. Cloud; and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday in Jarvi-Dowd Chapel and continues from 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday in First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior St., Duluth. Burial in Park Hill cemetery, Duluth. Memorials preferred to the First Lutheran Church. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, 925 E. Fourth St., Duluth.
