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GROZDA KLASNA
Grozda Klasna, 77, of Buhl died Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, in Miller Dwan Medical Center, Duluth.
She was born Aug. 15, 1924, in Chisholm to Mile and Lubica (Orlich) Loncar. She was a 1942 graduate of Chisholm High School and had been a Buhl resident for the past 51 years.
Grozda was united in marriage on Oct. 8, 1950, in Chisholm to George Klasna. She retired from the St. Louis County Health Department. Grozda was a member of St. Basil's Serbian Orthodox Church, Chisholm and Buhl-Kinney Serbian Sisters.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother Brono Loncar.
Survivors include her husband of 51 years, George; children Dan and Karen Klasna, both of Minneapolis; a sister, Nan Hudy of Harrisburg, Va.; and several nieces and nephews.
PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICES will be held in St. Basil's Serbian Orthodox Church, Chisholm, the Very Rev. Father Bogdan Zjalic officiating. Interment in Chisholm cemetery. Arrangements by Rupp Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Chisholm.
LORRAINE NORMA (HENDRICKSON) AMSLER
Lorraine N. Amsler, 62, of Carlton, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Nov. 12, 2001, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
She was born Feb. 19, 1939, to Gust and Esther (Aho) Hendrickson. She attended Esko High School, class of 1957. Lorraine enjoyed children, especially her grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews. She was also foster mother to nine foster children, and helped take care of several troubled youths. Her passion was sewing. Quilts and making Barbie Doll clothes were her specialty. She enjoyed bowling with her best buddy, Ann. Lorraine was a people person and her great cooking skills were always utilized by the endless flow of company at her home for family and friends. She and her sister, Shar, were team teachers for Sunday school for several years in Cloquet.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her former husband, Ralph Amsler; and her adopted mother, Ailie Laitinen.
She is survived by daughters Carey Amsler of Minneapolis, Maureen (Larry) Wolter of South Range and Jodie (Jeff) Kessler of Duluth; sons Greg (Deb) Amsler of Stacy, Minn., and Russ (Dana) Amsler of Fridley, Minn.; grandchildren Derris (Dori), Jared, Desirae, Tabatha, Ashley, Samantha, Savannah, Emily, Paige, Adam and Maddy; great-grandchildren Payton and Drew; her lifelong companion, Gerry Vork of Carlton, and his children, Robert (Brenda) Vork, Wes (Becky) Vork, Vickie (Ron) Nesje and Joe (Jill) Vork; her father, Bill (Mayme) Laitinen of Cloquet, a sister, Shar (Dan) Poppe/Chapinski of Esko; brothers Leroy Hendrickson of Minneapolis and Gus (Marlene) Hendrickson of Barnum; her buddy and best friend of many years, Ann Friedman of Cloquet; nephews Jeff and Shawn Poppe; and nieces Kim Poppe and Rhonda Hendrickson.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. service Friday in Nelson Funeral Care, Cloquet, Ken Vork officiating. Pallbearers will be Larry Wolter, Jeff Kessler, Wes and Joe Vork, and Jeff and Shawn Poppe. Honorary pallbearer will be Ann Friedman. Interment in Apostolic Lutheran cemetery, Esko. Luncheon will follow in the Nelson Funeral Care reception area. Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Care, Cloquet.
LARRY JOHN DECAIGNY
Larry John DeCaigny, 50, of Sawyer passed away Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001, at home, after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer.
He was born July 9, 1951, in Duluth to George and June (Shonyo) DeCaigny. He grew up and attended school in Wrenshall. He graduated from Carlton High School in 1969. He married
Susie Jaskari on Sept. 23, 1972, in Sawyer, where they have since resided. Larry graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 1973, with a bachelor of science degree in industrial arts education. Larry taught industrial arts at Barnum and Aitkin until he was appointed postmaster of Sawyer in May 1980. He owned and operated the Sawyer Store for the past 22 years.
Larry was a member of the Carlton School Board for the past 18 years. While on the board, he served as chairman for seven years. He was fire warden of Sawyer and was active in the Sawyer Sunshine 4-H Club for many years. He was a member of St. Mary and Joseph's Catholic Church of Sawyer, National League of Postmasters and National Association of Postmasters of the United States, and the Carlton Indian Education Association.
He enjoyed visiting with his customers and friends, volunteering, attending school events and activities and spending time with his family.
Larry was preceded in death by his father, George, in 1958; and his stepfather, Nick Galatz, in 1994.
He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Susie; his children, Matt (Amy), Ross, Nathan (Amy McKay) and Sarah DeCaigny, all of Sawyer; his mother, June Galatz of Carlton; sisters Linda (Steve) Tierney of Excelsior, Minn., Janet (Bill) Adkins of Barnum, Cindy (Jon) Ketola of New Brighton, Minn., and Julie Galatz of Carlton; a brother, Greg, of Excelsior; and a very special granddaughter, Olivia Grace DeCaigny.
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Thursday with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service in Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. Visitation continues from 10 until the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian burial Friday in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Cloquet. Interment in Sawyer cemetery.
BETTY SINKO GASPERINI
Betty Sinko Gasperini, 67, of Sun City West, formerly of Side Lake, Minn., died Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001, in Arizona.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. memorial service Saturday in St. Leo's Catholic Church, Hibbing. Burial in Chisholm cemetery. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing.
ARLENE R. MCCORMICK
Arlene R. McCormick, 63, of Keewatin died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, in her home.
She was born May 22, 1938, in Chicago to Theodore and Lora Lodygowski. She had lived in Antioch, Ill., before moving to Keewatin in 1989. She was a data entry specialist in the computer programming industry. Arlene was also a devoted homemaker and member of the Keewatin Crafters Club.
Arlene is survived by her husband, Richard; daughter Jeni (John) Childs of Keewatin; brothers Richard Lodygowski of Tyler, Texas, Norbert Lodygowski of Arlington, Texas, and Ronald Lodygowski of Chicago; a granddaughter, Sara Childs; and a grandson, Michael Childs.
Visitation: 1 until the 2 p.m. service Saturday in Dougherty Funeral Home, Hibbing, the Rev. Clem Gustin officiating.
PAUL J. WATSON
Paul J. Watson, 83, of Gordon, formerly of the Barron area, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2001, in Spooner Health System.
Visitation: 10 until the 11 a.m. celebration of life service today in the Brown Funeral Home in Solon Springs. Interment in Gordon Memorial cemetery.
JAMES M. PASSARD
James M. Passard, 88, of Grand Rapids died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001.
Survivors include daughters Mary (Frank) Sher and Virginia (Richard) Rounds; sons David Passard and James Passard; a sister, Agnes "Aggie" Berg; a granddaughter, Nicole Sher; and his best friend, Thora Stenborg.
Visitation: 5-7 p.m. today with a wake prayer service at 5:30 p.m. and Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6 p.m. in Rowe Funeral Home, Grand Rapids. Mass of Christian burial 2 p.m. Saturday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Grand Rapids.
MICHAEL STEVE LERITZ
Michael Steve Leritz, 88, of Cloquet died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, in Nopeming Nursing Home, Midway Township.
He was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, on Sept. 20, 1913, to Matt and Katherine (Stucker) Leritz. As an infant, Michael and his family moved to Menahga, Minn. Later on Oct. 28, 1939, Michael married
Adeline Clark. He worked as a logger and a dairy farmer until moving to Cloquet in 1955. Michael worked for Diamond Match until his retirement in 1976. His hobbies include splitting wood, gardening and walking.
Michael was preceded in death by his brothers, Nick, Joe and Matt; an infant sister; an infant grandson; and an infant granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife, Adeline; sons Michael (LaVonna) of Coon Rapids, Minn., Gerald (Geraldine) of Wrenshall, Larry of Florida, and Donald (Lori) and Ronald (Sue), both of Kenai, Alaska; daughters JoAnn (John) Aili of Alborn and Bonnie (Mike) Mackey of Esko; sisters Mary Leritz of Bozman, Mont., and Margaret Koski of Menahga; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.
Visitation: 1:30 until the 2 p.m. service Saturday in Barr Brothers Handevidt Funeral Home. Burial in Maple Grove cemetery, Cloquet. Arrangements by Barr Brothers Handevidt Funeral Home, 900 Washington Ave., Cloquet.
JOHN K. "JACK" GUNNON
John K. "Jack" Gunnon, 82, of Lake Nebagamon died Monday, Dec. 24, 2001.
In addition to his wife, Marjorie, he is survived by his sons, Larry (Lynne) and Mike (Gloria); daughters Diane (Bob) Burger, Jacki (Wayne) Minter and Mary Babler; two sisters; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation: after 5 p.m. today and continues from 11 a.m. until the 1 p.m. service Saturday, all in Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home. Burial will take place at a later date in St. Patricks cemetery, Phillips, Wis.
JEAN JOSEPH SAMMARTANO
Jean Joseph Sammartano, 77, of Hoyt Lakes died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, in the Virginia Regional Medical Center, Virginia, surrounded by his family following a three-year illness with cancer.
He was born Dec. 20, 1924, to French parents in Tunisia, North Africa, which was still a French colony where he received his formal education -- primary, high school and college. As a young man, he was part of the French underground, getting supplies to the British and American soldiers. After joining the Free French Air Force, under Gen. Charles DeGaulle, he was shot down and became a German prisoner of war. Escaping, he found himself in U.S. General Karl Spatz's headquarters in Tunis. After training and combat, he was assigned to the United States serving on several air bases and the Martin Aircraft factory in Baltimore. He was involved in the learning, training, teaching and translating manuals of Martin B. Marauder and its engines.
His early and obvious feelings and loyalty to the United States earned him the high security clearance he needed to spend some unforgettable time with the U.S. Navy Special Training Devices. He was active in translating for the United States Embassy in Washington, D.C.
He met and married
Rose Evans of Pine River, Minn., in Washington, D.C., and together they had 10 children. Rose passed away in 1985. Later, he met his caring wife, Janette Olson, and they married
Oct. 10, 1987, in Biwabik. He retired from LTV Mining Co. in 1986 as a locomotive shop foreman.
Jean was an active member of the Biwabik Covenant Church, serving on several boards, as secretary of missions and chairman of the congregation. He was also a member of the Gideons International. He enjoyed cooking his homemade spaghetti and meatballs for the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen until his illness.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rose in 1985; children, twins Alan and Candy Ann, and Jennifer; a sister, Marie; brothers Alfred, Alphonse and Adolph.
He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Janette (Olson) Sammartano; his children, Pat (James) Maki of Central Lakes, Minn., Kit Bohmann of Sand Point, Idaho, Reeny Botts of Las Vegas, Marc (Martha) of Boulder, Colo., Jeff (Jane) of Sand Point, Idaho, Lauri Sammartano of Northfield, Minn., and David of Sand Point, Idaho; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Janette's family, Debi (Gary) Lageson of Biwabik, Steven, and Mike (Barb) Olson of Braham, Minn.; four grandchildren; three great- grandchildren.
Visitation: 5-8 p.m. Sunday in Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home, Aurora, and continuing from 9 until the 10 a.m. service Monday in First Baptist Church, Aurora, the Rev. Jeffrey Jones officiating. Burial in Hoyt Lakes Memorial cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
CHARLES HENRY FOX
Charles "Chuck" H. Fox, 84, of Finland died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, in Lake View Memorial Hospital, Two Harbors.
Visitation: Noon until the 1 p.m. service Wednesday in Cavallin Funeral Home, Two Harbors. Burial in Crystal Bay cemetery, Finland.
MARGARET JOSEPHINE HORVOT-MACDIARMID
Margaret Josephine Horvot-MacDiarmid, 83, of McGregor died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2001, in Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Visitation: Noon until the 1 p.m. service Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, in Holy Family Catholic Church, McGregor, the Rev. John Fleischacker officiating. Arrangements by McGregor Funeral Home, McGregor.
