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Gordon L. "Gordy" Olson
Gordon L. "Gordy" Olson, 76, of Arbutus Drive died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001, in his home.
He was born Feb. 25, 1925, in Duluth and was a lifelong resident. He worked at U.S. Steel's Duluth works for 41 years until its closing. Gordy was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans in the South Pacific. He married
Joy Patton on June 28, 1946, in Duluth. He was a member of the West Duluth American Legion Post 71, Duprey Alexander Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 137 and the American Association of Retired Persons. He enjoyed camping and caring for his automobiles.
Gordy was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Lillian (Holman) Olson.
Survivors include his wife, Joy; children Bonnie (Bill) McLellan and Julie Olson, both of Duluth, Gordy (Kelly) Olson of North Port, Fla. and Jill (Al) Geers of Sartell, Minn.; grandchildren Bill McLellan and Cory Olson, both of Duluth, Chad Olson of Anoka, Bruce Geers of Afton, Wyo., and Jesse Anderson of North Port, Fla.; brother-in-law, Richard Patton of Boise, Idaho, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Dolly and Lee Jensen of Hibbing.
Visitation: Noon until the 1 p.m. service Friday in Bell Brothers Chapel. Burial in Oneota cemetery. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors-Bell Brothers Chapel, 601 N. 56th Ave. W., 624-5745.
Edward H. "Ed" Ness
Edward H. "Ed" Ness, 84, of Nevis, Minn., formerly of Duluth, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2001, in Park Rapids.
He was born to Emil and Ragna (Hegborn) Ness on Feb. 14, 1917, in Duluth. He graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School in 1935. He was a member of the CCC and worked for the Works Progress Administration in Duluth. He attended St. Olaf College and served in the Army during World War II. He was a teacher, principal and superintendent in many school districts throughout Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Georgia, sister Gunvor Anderson and infant brother Julius.
He is survived by his children, Ernest (Amy) Ness, Sandra Wilkens, Eddie Ness and Donna Ness; four grandchildren, a sister, Ragnhild Mallon of Carlton; nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 1 until the 2 p.m. funeral service Friday in Bethany Lutheran Church, Nevis. Arrangements are by Cease Funeral Home, Nevis.
Raymond "Ray" H. Eckholm
Oldest surviving Dukes player
Raymond "Ray" H. Eckholm, 98, of St. Paul Avenue died peacefully Sunday, Aug. 26, 2001, in his favorite chair while watching a baseball game.
God granted Ray his great desire, to remain in his home. His last day was spent winning a card game of gin and celebrating a birthday with his grandchildren and other relatives.
He was born June 23, 1903, to Charles and Hilda Eckholm and was a lifetime Duluth resident. He graduated from Central High School in 1922 and retired as accountant for the St. Louis County Welfare Department. He married
Judith Omtvedt and together they raised two sons. He was a loving and caring father and husband. He was a member of Glen Avon Presbyterian Church. Ray had the distinction of being the oldest surviving player for the Duluth Duke's baseball team, where among other positions, he was their pitcher. He was honored at one of their championship games last year when he threw out the first pitch to a rousing standing ovation.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and infant son; two brothers; and two sisters. Two years ago, he lost his beloved son, Jack, who had been his constant companion and best friend.
Ray is survived by his son Don (Gwen) of Mesa, Ariz.; grandsons Kevin (Linda) and Daniel (Traci), all of Duluth, Brian (Jenna) of Hudson, Wis., and Glenn (Michelle) of Naperville, Ill.; granddaughters Kimberly (John) Tollison of Newhall, Calif., and Denise (Greg) Gold of Mesa; nine great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by his special caregivers Nick and Sharyn Hill.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday in Glen Avon Presbyterian Church. Inurnment in Park Hill cemetery. Arrangements by Jarvi-Dowd Funeral Home.
Naomi T. "Tootsie" Anderson
Naomi T. "Tootsie" Anderson, 87, formerly of Calvary Road died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2001, in Aftenro Home, where she had been a resident for the past 3 years.
She was born March 27, 1914, in Duluth to Even and Petra (Stand) Eggen. Tootsie was a lifelong Duluth resident and had lived on Calvary Road for 40 years. She was a true homemaker, who enjoyed cooking, baking breads and doughnuts, gardening, reading, and did crewel work and hooked rugs. She enjoyed the cabin at Island Lake and doing ceramics at Aftenro.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John S. Anderson, on March 23, 1986; a grandson, Shawn Murphy; and a brother, Clifford Eggen.
Survivors include a son, Jack Stewart of Duluth; daughters Marlene (James) Warren and Yvonne Stewart, both of Duluth; sisters Thelma Andler and Juanita (Joel) Kammerman, both of Duluth; 10 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Gathering of family and friends: 10 until the 11 a.m. service Saturday in Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, Chaplain Donald Danielson officiating. Arrangements by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors, Jarvi-Dowd Chapel, 925 East Fourth St., 722-5131.
GEORGIA E. (WESTBERG) SOLBERG
Georgia E. (Westberg) Solberg died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in St. Mary's Hospice, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Hermantown to A.E. Hildur (Sundvick) and Russell Adrian Westberg on July 31, 1934. Her parents preceded her in death. She grew up in Hermantown where she graduated from Hermantown High School in 1952. In 1955, she married
Russell O. Solberg, who survives her.
Georgia attended the University of Minnesota Duluth where she studied art for three years. Georgia spent a lot of her time traveling and studying the Southwest. She loved the native arts and crafts of the area. She was an accomplished artist and created GWS Designs. Georgia dearly loved her family as she was dearly loved and will be sorely missed by family, friends and acquaintances.
Besides her husband, she is also survived by her children, Vicki Lee Heinecke, Bart (Cindy Jo) Solberg and Angela Solberg; and her grandchildren, David Heinecke, and Jacob and Erik Solberg.
VISITATION: Noon until the 1 p.m. service Friday in Fred Olson Mortuary. Burial in Sunrise Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Fred Olson Mortuary.
ROBERT "BOXING BOB" ROY ROONEY
Robert "Boxing Bob" Roy Rooney, 73, of Hermantown died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in St. Mary's Medical Center Hospice Unit, from complications of a stroke, with his loving daughter at his side.
He was born Feb. 16, 1927, in Two Harbors to Jennie (Peippo) and Edward Roney. Bob grew up in Duluth and attended Central High School. He was a phenomenal athlete in his day, winning many trophies and medals for his athletic abilities in swimming, speed skating, hockey, football, baseball and boxing. Bob was a World War II Army veteran serving in the European Theater. He was a member of the American Legion Post 71.
Bob started his boxing career with the Golden Gloves. He continued his boxing career while serving in the Army in Germany. After returning from Germany, he was on a pro ticket, boxing in the Northern parts of the United States. In Duluth, he was a lifeguard at Park Point. He had worked for the DM&IR; Railway, Hallett Dock and as a longshoreman in Duluth until he retired.
He married
Theresa Annoni in 1960, the loving husband he was, he spent 27 years taking care of his disabled wife. The next 11 years, he visited her daily in Chris Jensen Nursing Home until Theresa's death in 1997. He was also a loving father, his world revolved around the apple of his eye, his daughter, Vikki. Bob was a daily fixture for many years at the Center for Personal Fitness, working out, swimming and hot tubbing. He would also be spotted taking his daily walks around the Miller Hill Mall. In December of 2000, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He courageously battled his cancer for the next nine months until a stroke destroyed his fight.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Theresa; his parents, Edward and Jennie (Peippo) Roney; and an infant sister.
He is survived by his daughter, Victoria "Vikki" Rooney of Saginaw; a brother, Edward "Sonny" (Lois) Rooney of Minneapolis; an uncle, Theodore "Ted" Peippo of Watson, Mich.; many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews; and his special friends, Peggy Jugasek, Armond Hauge and Richard Jugasek.
Bob was a very special good-hearted person and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him. Thank you everyone for the many expressions of love and support Bob received during his illness.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Monday in Dougherty Funeral Home with a gathering of family and friends following the service.
DONALD A. LETOURNEAU SR.
Donald A. Letourneau Sr., 72, of Heather Avenue died of cancer Monday, Sept. 24, 2001, in St. Mary's Hospice.
Don was born in Duluth on Jan. 28, 1929. He attended St. Anthony Grade School and Cathedral High School in Duluth, graduating in 1947. He graduated with honors from Michigan Technological University in 1951 with a degree in civil engineering. He worked as a mining engineer for four years with the Oliver Mining Division before spending two years in the armed services. He then returned to U.S. Steel Corp., ending his employment with their Orinoco, Venezuela, Mining Division in 1962. The Minnesota taconite industry began to explode in 1963 and Don became a sales engineer for Nordberg Inc., a Milwaukee manufacturer of heavy mining machinery. He was soon appointed district manager for Nordberg, which brought him into mining projects in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri and other mining areas. He retained that position until his retirement as a Nordberg sales engineer in 1995.
He was a past member of the Engineers Club of Northern Minnesota, A.I.M.E., and also a former board member of the Michigan Quincy Mine Hoist Association.
Don grew up in the sports-centered Chester Park area and was an accomplished skier. He was the Catholic high school state slalom and cross-country skiing champion and also went on to ski collegiate in Michigan Tech University. This sports interest continued with his wife, Rauha, and their family's growing up years in the Longview area. Watching his children and grandchildren participate in hockey, tennis, football and soccer was one of his favorite pastimes. Don continued his cross-country skiing until his illness.
Don married
Frances Welsh in July of 1987.
Don has been a member of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary parish since 1957 and was a past church council chairman and head of the Immaculate Mary prayer group. He also served as a lector, Eucharistic minister, sacrastant, and on the Diocesan Vocations, and the St. Vincent Island committees. He was also a member of the Serra Club, Knights of Columbus, and the Blessed Nuno Society.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur J. Letourneau, in 1987, and Alice (Mainville) Letourneau, in 1988; his first wife, Rauha (Bechtel) Letourneau, in 1983; and a sister, Mary Joan Armstrong, in 1997.
He is survived by his wife, Fran; his children, Donald (Cathy) Letourneau Jr., David A. Letourneau, Michael (Karen) Letourneau, Kathleen T. (Bob) Bennett, Lisa A. (Don) Kozlovski and Scott (DeAnn) Letourneau; brothers Arthur J. (Jetta) Letourneau, Philip A. (Donna) Letourneau, John J. Letourneau and Michael (Denise) Letourneau; sisters Kathleen T. (Peter) Tobias, Phillis (Rob) Galarneault and Dorothy A. Hughes; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
SERVICE: 11 a.m. today in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. Burial in Forest Hill cemetery. Memorials to Lake Superior Life Care Center or Duluth's Sister Diocese in the Grenadines, in care of the Diocese of Duluth.
FREDERICK W. HART
Frederick W. Hart, 77, of Norton Street died accidentally in Crosslake, Minn., on Monday, Sept. 24, 2001.
Fred was born Jan. 31, 1924, in Crosby. His father was killed five days later on Feb. 5, 1924, in the Millford Mine accident that killed 41 miners. Fred was raised in Duluth and graduated from Duluth Central in 1942. He was a student at Drexel University in Philadelphia, while serving in the Army Air Force and later served in the Pacific during World War II. He graduated from UMD and earned his master's degree in physical education from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Fred touched the lives of thousands of students, having taught in the Duluth School System for 37 years, mostly in Duluth Central where he was also a coach.
He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church and had previously been a member of St. Mathews Lutheran Church, where he had served on both church councils for a total of 31 years. He spent his summers working in sales, first in soft drinks and then Arrow Chev.
He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Gamma Theta Upsilon geographic fraternity, a lifetime member of University of Minnesota Alumni Association, Princeton University Parents Association, Colgate University Parents Association, Duluth Area Retired Educators, Gitchi Gumme Kiwanis and Lake Avenue Loafers. He was also a volunteer for the Salvation Army.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick Hart and Emilie Hart Schilla; and his step-father, Emil Schilla.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons James (Maureen Reed) of Stillwater, Minn., David (Lynn) of Crosslake and John (Stephanie) of Woodbury, Minn.; sisters-in-law Marion E. May of Phoenix and Betty Freier of Duluth; grandchildren Michelle, David, Amanda and Tyler; and a great-grandchild, Jaydn.
VISITATION: 10 until the 11 a.m. service today in Concordia Lutheran Church. Interment in Forest Hill cemetery. Memorials to Concordia Lutheran Church Endowment Fund, Salvation Army or Duluth Habitat for Humanity appreciated. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 727-3555.
