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Joseph K. Pluth
Joseph K. Pluth, 78, of Moorhead, Minn., formerly of Duluth died Monday, March 5, 2001, in MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, N.D.
He is survived by a son, John (Arlene); daughters Nancy (Marlin) Neufeld and Julie (David) Larson; a grandson; two brothers including Rudy of Two Harbors; two sisters including Marion Caven of Duluth; and a special friend, Betty Jansson.
Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Friday in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. Service 11 a.m. Saturday in Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead.
Helen A. Graham
Helen A. Graham, 92, formerly of Baylis Street, died Wednesday, March 7, 2001, in Lakeshore Lutheran Home.
She was born Oct. 9, 1908, to John and Christine (McCaffery) Stewart in Duluth. Helen was a school teacher for 30 years, teaching in St. Louis County Schools, Clover Valley School in Orr for 15 years, in the Meadowlands and Alborn, retiring in 1972. She also worked for Wahl's Department Store in the Credit Department for 14 years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Lakeside AARP and Minnesota Retired Teachers Association.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Willard in 1973; a brother, Wallace "Bud" Stewart; and a sister, Margaret Stewart.
She is survived by her family, Tom Person, Kris Hughes, John Person and a close friend, Dorothy Caine, all of Duluth.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral Friday in Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Burial in Sunrise Memorial Park, Hermantown. Arrangements by Johnson Mortuary.
George Louis Kloepfel
George Louis Kloepfel, 89, of Proctor and Aftenro Home passed away and went home to his Lord Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center.
George, better known to his family as "Boppy, " was born Jan. 12, 1912, in Duluth to Louis and Anna Kloepfel. He attended Denfeld High School and Duluth Teachers College. He married
Florence Ellefson Jan. 10, 1942. They were married
for 52 years until her death in 1996. A veteran of World War II, he served with the Army in France and Japan. After the war, he worked as a letter carrier while continuing his education.
After retiring from the Postal Service and completing a degree in business from the University of Minnesota Duluth, he worked for the State of Minnesota Sales Tax Compliance Office. Upon retirement from the State of Minnesota, George continued doing tax work from his home. He enjoyed spending time in Sun City, Ariz., and the cabin at Caribou Lake. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching baseball and other professional sports. George loved accordion music and enjoyed dancing the polka. He was continually learning and had a keen interest in life. He was a quiet and reserved man who loved and cared deeply for his family, and was loved, respected and cared for by his children in the same way.
He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Proctor, the Letter Carrier Association and groups in Sun City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Florence.
He is survived by daughters, Karen (Garry) Hawkinson of Proctor, Kaye (Geoffrey) Eckstrom of Hermantown; granddaughters Heather Hawkinson of Proctor and Angela Eckstrom of St. Paul; a sister, Louise Dahlin of Port Charlotte Fla.; a very special companion, Viola Peterson of Duluth; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: Noon until the 1 p.m. memorial service Tuesday in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Proctor, the Revs. Jeffrey Holter and David Mork officiating. Burial in Oneota cemetery at a later date. Memorials preferred.
Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave W.
Alta R. Johnson
Alta Royetta Johnson, 87, of Duluth died Friday, Sept. 7, 2001, in her home with her family by her side.
Alta was born March 22, 1914, in Proctor to Roy and Allie (Meyer) Bennett. She graduated from Proctor High School in 1932 and in 1934 received her teaching degree from Duluth State Teachers College. Her first teaching position in 1935 was in a one-room schoolhouse in Akeley, Minn. In 1936, she moved to and taught in Sandstone. On Oct. 19, 1940, Alta married
Elmer T. Johnson in Proctor. After Elmer and Alta married
, she devoted her life to raising their five children.
Alta was a member of Salem Covenant Church and the Martha Circle. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Trinity Chapter 242 D.E.S. since 1936. She was a member of the Three Lakes Development Association, AARP, SOAR and the Wally Byam Air Streamers. For many years she was a Girl Scout leader and enjoyed scouting. Alta and Elmer wintered in Mesa, Ariz., for 25 years until 1996. Alta's greatest joy came from her time at the family cabin on Lake Elora in the company of her beloved husband, children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer T., in 1996; her parents; and a brother, Charlie Bennett.
She is survived by daughters Barbara (Richard) Kohl of Canyon, Darilyn (Daniel) Ronn of Ely, Bev L. Johnson of Duluth, and Marlene (David) Kettula of Frederic, Wis.; a son, Richard J. (Debbie) Johnson of Kalamazoo, Mich.; grandchildren Jody Johnson (Rick) Turek, Abraham Kolu, Mariah Ronn (Tyler) Wirth, Julie Johnson, Becky Ronn (Jason) Crane, Maia Kolu, Rachel Ronn, Branden Johnson, Jenna Johnson, Tasha Kettula and Sadie Kettula; a sister, Joyce (Emory) Herendeen; many nieces and nephews; and a great-grandchild to be born in November.
Thank you to her caregiver Carol Shelley, caregiver Linda Hovila, Dr. M. Huska and St. Luke's Hospice.
Visitation: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday in Bell Brothers Chapel and continuing from noon until the 1 p.m. service Tuesday in Salem Covenant Church, the Rev. Paul Walters officiating. Burial in Oneota cemetery. Arrangements by Bell Brother Funeral Directors-Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave. W.
Frank Pongratz
Frank Pongratz, 93, of East Third Street died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center.
Frank was born June 24, 1908, in Butternut, Wis., to Frank and Anna Ernst. He was 2 years old when his mother died and he was adopted by Michael and Elizabeth Pongratz. Frank was raised and educated in Butternut, Wis., and employed by Butternut Veneer Mill. He was inducted into World War II military service in May 1943. He was trained at Camp Grant at Rockford, Ill., and Camp Clairborne in Alexandria, La. He served as a sergeant with Engineers 361st in France, England, Philippines and Japan. After his honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to Butternut and worked as a carpenter and married
Emily Podrez. They moved to Duluth in 1955 where he was employed as a cabinetmaker at the University of Minnesota Duluth, retiring in 1977. Frank was an RSVP volunteer for 12 years, volunteering at the Community Senior Center and West End Senior Center. He also served with his wife, Emily, as an intern for Rep. James Oberstar in Washington, D.C., during the Carter administration. Frank was a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary and C.I.O. retirees. One of Frank's hobbies was inlaying and making furniture that was normally only seen in Russia.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Emily, in 1999; a sister, Grace Lemke; and a brother, Henry Ernst.
Frank is survived by sisters Mary Ertl of Butternut and Kate Schmidt and Anna Hadl, both of Park Falls, Wis.; and his dear friend, Don Hanson of Duluth.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. service Tuesday in Dougherty Funeral Home. Burial in Forest Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 727-3555.
Corrine V. Backen
Corrine V. Backen died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, in Bradenton, Fla.
She was born in Duluth to Walter and Violet Ross May 16, 1930. She married
Marshall Backen June 11, 1949.
She was a member of the Lady Jaycees, P.T.A., Lions Club, Glen Avon Presbyterian Church and bridge clubs. She had many hobbies, including cooking, sewing, knitting, needlepoint and craft projects. She worked at the Medical Arts building as a receptionist until her retirement. She moved to Bradenton in 1987.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Marshall, in October 1997.
She is survived by sons Bruce and special friend Annie, Daniel (Cindy), all of Duluth, Marshall T. of Bradenton; daughters Jean (Will) Hanson of Oliver, Wis., Susan (Russell) Richards of Duluth; seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday in Park Hill cemetery Chapel, 2500 Vermillion Road.
Robert Richard Rutka
Robert Richard Rutka, 72, of Village Drive, Proctor, died Thursday, Sept. 6, 2001, in Viewcrest Nursing Home.
He was born in Proctor and was a lifelong resident. He was formerly employed as a machinist with the DM&IR;, retiring in 1989. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran. He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Proctor and Corvair Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Mary Jurewicz Rutka; his first wife, Louise Berg Rutka; and a grandson, Richard.
Robert is survived by his wife, Jeanne of Proctor; a daughter, Juliann (Ted) Micken, sons Tom and Dan (Tammy), all of Duluth; a grandson, Robby; four stepchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; and two stepgreat-grandchildren.
Visitation: 9 until the 10 a.m. service Tuesday in St. Rose Catholic Church. Burial in Calvary cemetery with military honors accorded by the Duluth VFW Combined Honor Guard. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.
Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Kelly
Bernard "Bernie" Joseph Kelly, 61, of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, formerly of Pike Lake, died Friday, Aug. 24, 2001, in Victoria Haven Nursing Home, Glace Bay.
Born April 1, 1940, to Carol and Anna (Yorke) Kelly, he attended St. Anne's School in Glace Bay. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1957, transferring to the States in 1967. Upon leaving the forces, he worked construction until falling ill in 1983.
Bernie loved music. "Keep a Song in your Heart for Him."
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Rita; and sister-in-law, Irene.
Bernie is survived by his former wife, Dani Kelly of Duluth; sons Robert (Wendy) of Clinton Township, Mich., and David (Laurie) of North Branch, Minn.; a daughter, Karen (Tom) Bergh of Hermantown; brothers Casimer, Ronald (Flo), Joseph (Brenda), Andrew (ReJeanne), Terrence (Margie) and James (Peggy); sisters Veronica (Laci) Szabo, Elaine (Doug French) Terrion, Carol Ann (Steve) Drysdale and Katheline (Ralph) Boyd, all of Canada; grandchildren Jenna and Emily Kelly, and Erik and Sarah Bergh; many nieces and nephews.
Services were held Aug. 28 in Saint Anne's Church, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.
Catherine M. Hetherington Berg
Catherine M. Hetherington Berg, 86, of Elizabeth Street died Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001, in St. Luke's hospital.
She was born in Aitkin to Alexander and Mary Hetherington and the family moved to Morgan Park in 1918. Mrs. Berg was employed for 29 years by JC Penney Co. as the display manager, retiring in 1980. She was a member of United Protestant Church of Morgan Park, West Duluth Women's Club, and the American Legion Auxiliary. Catherine was an accomplished pianist and played for the Joyce Torvund School of Dance. She also volunteered her time playing for various community groups.
Her husband, Stanley, died in 1969, and she was also preceded in death by her sister, Daisy Swanson; a brother, Alec Hetherington; and nephew Curtis Hetherington.
She is survived by her nieces, Sandra (William) Grondahl, Penny (David) Baumgarten and Faye Anderson, all of Duluth, Judy (Lance) Kerness of Las Vegas, Kathi (Rande) Borgman and Betti (Bob) McKenzie, both of California; nephew Tom (Judy) Berg; and brother-in-law, Richard (Annie) Berg of Oregon.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in United Protestant Church of Morgan Park with burial in Oneota cemetery. The family prefers memorials be directed to United Protestant Church. Arrangements are by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, 601 N. 56th Ave. W.
