Obituaries

Larry Michael Schroeder of Brook Park died on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 at FirstLight Hospital in Mora. He was 63 years old.

Gale Norman Wolfe, age 74, of Grasston, Minn., passed away peacefully at his home on Feb. 8, 2012.

Edward "Fast Eddie" Wilbert of Pine City died Monday, Feb. 13 at his home at the age of 67 years.

Robert Lynn Wallace, 92, died Jan. 23, 2012 in Chandler, Ariz. He was born in his grandparents' house in Pine City on Feb. 9, 1919. His father, Carl, worked on the railroad and moved the family frequently. Bob lived with his grandparents for school attendance from 7-12 grade. After two years at Macalester College, he learned telegraphy and was employed by Northern Pacific Railroad in Carlton, Minn.

JoAnn Mary (Kozak) Carpenter was born Feb. 16, 1946 to Edward and Bessie Kozak of Pine City. She grew up on the farmstead that belonged to her grandfather James Kozak. She grew up with her two older brothers, Ted and Ben and her cousin Dean Strassner, who lived next door. They enjoyed many years of hunting, fishing, swimming and waterskiing. These were cherished childhood memories for JoAnn.

JoAnn Mary Carpenter, age 65, of Pine City, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012.

Glenn Johnson, age 91, of Pine City died Jan. 18 at Pine Medical Health Care Center in Sandstone.

Helen Victoria Anderson Oberg passed away at the Mille Lacs Nursing Home on Jan. 12, 2012 where she has been a resident since her major stroke on March 29, 2011.

Christine M. Johnson of Wahkon, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 after losing the battle with cancer she had fought since March of 2008. She was 59 years old.

Leland A. Magnuson, age 81, a resident of Sandstone, died Jan. 5, 2012 at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. Leland was born on Sept. 26, 1930 in Center City, Minn. to Frank "Emil" and Gertrude Magnuson. The family moved to Dairyland in 1933, where he attended grade school at Stevens School and then attended Superior Central High through the 10th grade. He worked for REA for two years before entering the United States Air Force in 1948. While in the service, he completed his high school education while in Bellview, Neb. as well as some college courses. During his military career he was stationed in a number of countries such as Japan, Korea, Guam, Vietnam, Thailand and the Azores/Portugal. In 1972, Leland retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service as a Master Sergeant. After his retirement, he returned to his roots in Minnesota where he met his wife, Judith Luchau. They were married on Aug. 24, 1985 in Sandstone. Leland was active on the School Board, and the Township and County Government in various different capacities. Leland was known to be a "Jack of all trades" and could fix or try to fix anything. He wrote and submitted letters to the editor in the local newspapers that many people enjoyed reading.

Betty Sivigny, age 71 of Pine City, passed away Christmas Eve from emphysema. She was born to Richard and LaRayne Hirt on March 7, 1940. She married Oral Sivigny on Oct. 25, 1958 and was married 53 years. She is survived by husband, Oral; children, Theresa (David) Paulson, Julie (Thomas) Strauss, Ronald (Brenda) and Donald (Shelley); nine grandchildren, three great- grandchildren; sisters, Pat Becker, Donna Lind and Sharon Fuchs. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, Dec. 30, 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 19921 Nightingale St NW, Oak Grove. Visitation was one hour prior to service. Private interment is at St. Patrick's Cemetery. Arrangements were with Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover; (763) 767-7373.

Lydia Adeline Anderson, the daughter of John and Theresa (Haberman) Pavek, was born May 18, 1913 on the family farm located east of Beroun, Minn. She grew up there and attended rural District No. 25 School through the 8th grade.

Paul E. Millette, age 84, formerly of the Minneapolis metro area, Hinckley, Rush City and Pine City, died Nov. 9 at Grace Point Crossing Nursing Home, Cambridge, Minn.

Florence Bongard, age 92, of Pine City and formerly of Rush City, died Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 29) at Suite Living in North Branch.

Beverly Patricia (Pat) Wiener was called home by Jesus on Nov. 26, 2011, following a tragic accident at her home in Chengwatana Township in Pine County. She was 79 years of age.

Pat Wiener, age 79, died Saturday, Nov. 26 at Essentia Medical Center in Sandstone as a result of an accident at her home in Chengwatana township, rural Pine City. Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 at Journey North Church, 840 Main St. South, Pine City. Visitation is on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Journey North Church, and also on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. A complete obituary of Pat Wiener will be in next week's edition of the Pine City Pioneer. Swanson Funeral Chapel is in charge of the services.

Gloria A. Holcomb, age 66 of Columbia Heights, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 24, 2011. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dario and Ninabelle DelCastillo; brothers, Dario Jr, Ronnie; and grandson, Skeeter Kyle. She will be deeply missed by her daughters, Patti (Scott) Disney, Sandra (Jay) Sparling; grandchildren, Chad (Kori) Holcomb, Casey, Kody, Jordan, Rachel, Abbe; great-grandchildren, Madison, Bella, Kilee, Delilah; brothers, Mike (Roberta) DelCastillo, Henry (Pat) DelCastillo; nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Arrangements were entrusted to Methven-Taylor Funeral Homes & O.E. Larson-Osborne Chapel; www.methven-taylor.com.

Eric Laun was born June 8, 1964 in Mora, Minn. to Mary (Sievert) and Edward Laun. He died unexpectedly Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at his home in Pine City at the age of 47 years.

Evangeline "Vangie" Victoria Johanson was born in Pine City on July 3, 1920, to John and Mary (Gardner) Peil. She grew up in Pine City with her 19 siblings.

Christine K. Thompson passed away Friday, Nov. 11, 2011, at her home in Mora, Minn. surrounded by her loving family.

Rose Marie Erhart was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on April 22, 1922 to John and Frances (Kloskowski) Kloskin. At an early age she moved to Holdingford, Minn. where she graduated from high school in 1939.

Janet Myra Pals was born April 6, 1939 in Robbinsdale, Minnesota to James and Olive (Churchill) Bell. Eventually her parents divorced and along with her four siblings, Ellen, Sy, Martha and Gary, she grew up in Pine City. While attending high school, she was active in cheerleading and making lots of friends. With her shy, but bubbly personality, she made friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Stanley "Spike" Raymond Wiener passed away Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011 at his home. He was surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Stan was a family man, a friend to many, and a fair and honest business man for many years in the community.

Ruth Behrendt, age 101, of Rock Creek died at her home on Oct. 8, 2011.