Obituaries

Mary F. Conley, 89, Cloquet, passed 08/19/2026

Aug. 26, 2013 - Aug. 04, 2026

Arlene Ruth Olson, 93, of Cloquet, passed away on July 23, 2026, at Evergreen Assisted Living.

Duane William Caywood, 73, passed away peacefully July 22, 2026 at Aspirus St. Luke’s with family by his side. After many years fighting cardiac disease, his heart lost the battle. Duane was born in Duluth November 15, 1952 to Clayton (Chic) Warren Caywood and Gloria Mae Johnson.

Sep. 02, 1951 - May. 25, 2026

Robert "Bob" Thomas Brown, 70, passed away unexpectedly on July 5, 2026. Though his passing was sudden, his legacy of faith, love, hard work, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Cleone Ann Boettcher, 89, of Duluth, passed June 3rd 2026. She was the daughter of Perry and Irene Shaw Butler. She was proceeded by her parents and two infant brothers. She was also proceeded by her husband, Larry Boettcher in 2010 and son, Chris in 2019. She is survived by son, Tim [Paulanne] Boettcher; daughters, Lisa [Rick] Lovold and Tina [Duane] Brown. She is also survived by grandchildren, Amber and Katie Boettcher, Richard, David and Janelle Lovold, Michael Brown, Denise Carlson; a great-granddaughter, Cambria Larson. Burial will be later this summer in Richville, MN. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.

Sep. 02, 1951 - May. 25, 2026

Nancy Joyce Peterson 91 of Esko, passed away April 13, 2026 at Diamond Willow assisted living with family by her side. She was born on November 6, 1934 to Edward and Ursula Sollberger. She graduated from Duluth Central H.S. And earned her RN degree from St. Luke’s hospital of nursing in 1956. Nancy married Robert Peterson on August 23, 1958 and together raised 3 children Ross, Todd, and Becky. They shared 52 happy years together and made their home in Esko. Nancy retired from Nopeming Nursing Home in 1991 after 22 years. Nancy enjoyed crafting, reading, the casino, family gatherings and winters in Florida, South Carolina and Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Ursula, husband Robert and brother and sister in law Edward and Joanne. Survived by children Ross (Laura Ostby) Todd (Aimee) Becky Connor, brother Rick (Shari) and beloved nieces and nephew's, 4 grandchildren Sean (Michaela) Marc (Kalley) David (Taylor) Amber (Skyler) and 8 great grandchildren Avery, Charlie, Henry, Sorel, Emmitt, Stiles, Paris, and William. Special thanks to Essentia Hospice, Solvay Hospice and Diamond Willow Assisted Living for their great care. Special thanks and love to her 2 favorite people Carley Essler and Danielle Cooke. Per her wishes, a private funeral will be held.

Former Pine Knot contributor, Sandra Turja, passed away on April 25, 2026 in Largo, Florida. She is survived by her two children Jennifer (Turja) Caldwell and John Turja, her seven grandchildren, one great granddaughter, her siblings Susan Odella, Brian Suihkonen, Stephen Kannianen, David Kannianen and many beautiful nieces and nephews. Her family was her greatest source of pride and joy. Sandi was the former owner of KOA campground and supper club in Carlton, BeBops in Carlton, Wheel N Inn in Duluth and various other ventures. She was a talented singer and guitar player. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Janice "Jan" Grannes

Michael John Obeidzinski, 72, of Englewood, Florida, formerly of Eveleth, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2026. Mike was born in Cloquet, Minnesota on August 7, 1953, to John and Veronica (Brenny) Obeidzinski. Mike grew up in Saginaw, Minnesota, in a farming family and graduated from Albrook High School in 1971. He married his wife of 52 years, Kathy (Wilson), in 1973, and together they raised two children. Mike worked as a welder for Inland Steel Mining Company for 30 years before retiring in 2007. He was a devoted husband, father, and proud “Papa” to his three grandchildren. An avid golfer and faithful member of St. Raphael Catholic Church, Mike was known for his generosity, honesty, love of family, and welcoming spirit. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; children Eric (Kimmie Hall) Obeidzinski and Stacey (Kent) Cunningham; and three grandchildren (Mason, Alyssa, and Sawyer). He is also survived by his siblings Tom (Rae) Obeidzinski, Stephen (Judi) Obeidzinski, Susie Anderson, Janie (Clyde) Sample, and Barb (Bob) Johnson, as well as many nieces and nephews who will remember him fondly. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Obeidzinski and sisters MaryAnn Jones and JoAnn Morgan. A celebration of life will be held May 15, 2026 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm, in Saginaw, MN at Ivy Black Event Center.

David Wright Berg, 87, of Pine River, MN (formerly of Cloquet, MN and Brooklyn Center, MN) passed away peacefully at Grand Village in Grand Rapids, MN surrounded by his family after a battle with lymphoma. He was born in Cloquet, MN to Mildred Adeline Peterson and William Joshua Berg and graduated from Cloquet High School. David loved the idea of family and spent time coaching his daughter’s flag football team, going to swim meets, making backyard luge runs, and working to make life good for his family. He could often be found helping neighbors with cutting down trees, fixing cars, or plowing snow. After attending UMD and the University of MN with a focus on engineering and architecture, he became a computer programmer and worked for the MN DOT for nearly 40 years. David had a brilliant mind and was interested in naval architecture, architecture, WWII history, cars, maps, engines, mechanics, and design. There wasn’t a mousetrap he didn’t think wouldn’t benefit from a design tweak. One of his greatest joys was finding people who would discuss those subjects in depth with him. He was also quite a punster and grew up playing word games with his brother and mother.

Marilyn Kay Chell, of Corcoran, MN passed away peacefully on March 28th, 2026, surrounded by her family at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, MN, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 77 years old.

Maureen Guentzel, age 70.

Nancy M. Riihiluoma, 83, of Virginia, MN, passed away in her home on Sunday, March 8, 2026 of natural causes. She was born to Paul and Eleanor Sireen in 1943 at Cloquet, Minnesota. She married her high school sweetheart Norman Riihiluoma in 1960. They enjoyed nearly 61 years together until Norman’s passing in 2021. Nancy was gentle, tender-hearted, and caring, living out her Christian faith with humility and a quiet self-assurance. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) reads: "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." She was a long-time resident of Lake Vermilion and Kugler Township.

Leona May Haukaas of Coker Creek, TN, passed away on March 6, 2026. She was born June 25, 1931, daughter to Leroy and Millie (Washek) Lenhart of Underwood, MN.

Roger Lowell Salmi, Age 76, of Cloquet Minnesota passed into Jesus’ loving arms on February 26th, 2026, in Mission Texas. Roger was born in Cloquet, Minnesota to Lillian (Graber) and Paul Salmi, June 29th 1949.

James (Jim) Lavigne formerly of Cloquet, died on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Blaine, Minnesota, surrounded by the family who loved him dearly. He was born on September 25, 1945, in Duluth, Minnesota. True to Jim’s life — always full of adventures and surprises — he believed his birthday was September 24 until he was well into middle age. From then on, he happily celebrated two birthdays each year.

Ingeborg Loosen, age 91, passed away in her home on February 10, 2026 in Cloquet, MN. She was born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany on May 27, 1934 to Johannes Hildenbrand and Adelheid (Mueller).

Arnold Doble, age 83 of Cloquet died on February 14, 2026. He worked at Minnesota Power for many years. After he retired he drove bus for LCS which he loved. He was married for nearly 64 years to the love of his life Ruby (Stenroos) Doble. He was preceded in death by his son Andy Doble. Arne is survived by his children Heidi (Mike) Spies and LeeAnn Doble: his granddaughters Allie (TJ) Frank, Aricka Doble, Jennifer (Michael) Thiel, and grandson Matt (Kaula) Spies and 11 great grandchildren which he adored greatly: and brothers Ray (Mary) Doble and Dave (Sue) Doble.

May. 13, 1952 - Jan. 20, 2026

Patrick Marciniak, 59, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on December 22,2025. Pat was born on September 22, 1966 in Cloquet, MN and graduated from Cloquet High School in 1985.

Nov. 05, 1932 - Dec. 26, 2025

Shirley Mildred Martinek, age 86, of Edina, formerly of Esko, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025. In her final days she was surrounded by the love and care of her family.

Gerald (Jerry) Sunnarborg passed away peacefully surrounded by family on 10-31-25 at 85 years old. Jerry was a devoted husband, wonderful father and an avid outdoorsman.

Terry R. Spooner, 76, of Duluth, died Friday October 17, 2025, at Open Arms Senior Living in Duluth.

Kathleen Entner, age 79, went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 2025, at Villa Maria in Hurley, Wisconsin.