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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries and Notices of Death

Posted 10/15/11

Dana I. Anderson

Dana Isabel Anderson, 60, of Hibbing, died on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, with her loving family by her side. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Mlaker Funeral Home in …

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Obituaries and Notices of Death

Posted

Dana I. Anderson

Dana Isabel Anderson, 60, of Hibbing, died on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, with her loving family by her side. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, with Pastor Bruce Dissell and Gloria Anderson-Hegg officiating. Honorary bearers were members of the Second Chance Band, Carl Antus, Carol Newman, Ernie Seppala, Carol Seppala, Tony Chos and Darlene Cayo. Burial was in the Morcom Township Cemetery in Bear River. A reception in Dana’s honor followed at the Bear River Community Center.

Dana was born in Grand Rapids on June 5, 1951. She graduated from Big Fork High School in 1969 and continued her education at Augsburg College, Bemidji State University and Hibbing Community College. She married Kenneth L. Anderson on Nov. 11, 1973, and raised three sons in Bear River. Dana was a musician at heart and her dream was realized with the Second Chance Band, which included singing and harmonizing with her sister and close friends.  

Dana was a kind and gentle soul who had a unique sense of humor, was a master of words and grammar, and had a gift for dates and numbers. She cherished time with family and friends, but cherished nothing more than her twin grandsons. Dana was the #1 fan of her sons Matt and Ryan’s racing careers and delighted in son Kirk’s relentless pranks. Dana had eternal optimism in spite of her serious injuries and illness. She inspired many by her courage.  

Dana is survived by her three sons, Matthew, Ryan (Nicole) and Kirk, all of Hibbing; beloved twin grandsons, Alex and Jonathon; her father, Richard W. Olson of Togo; sister, Darlene (Jake) Cayo of Virginia; brother, Richard Jr. (Beverly) of Effie; special nieces, Teresa McCue of Denver, Colo., and Lori Hoover of Mora; and many sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. She will be greatly missed by many.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Anderson on July 23, 2007; and her mother, Selma Olson on April 15, 2008.  

Roderick M. Crain

Roderick “Rod” Max Crain, 84, of Crane Lake, passed away on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at his residence. Memorial services were held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Crane Lake Chapel with Pastor Roger Parrish-Siggelkow as officiant. Honorary bearers were Rod’s grandchildren. Military honors were accorded by the combined Honor Guards of the Cook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1757 and Orr American Legion Post 480. Burial was in the Forest Home Cemetery in Buyck. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Rod was born on April 1, 1927, to Raymond and Caroline (Wilkes) Crain in Riceville, Iowa. Rod attended Riceville schools and was involved in sports, hunting and fishing at an early age. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Navy aboard a floating dry dock as a carpenter’s mate in the Pacific Theater. After his discharge from the Navy, Rod met and married Arlene Lucille North, from the nearby town of Osage, Iowa. They moved to the Twin Cities area, where they both attended school to further their education. Rod went to Airframe and Power-Plant Technical School, and Arlene to Hamline School of Business. Upon graduation, Rod worked in the aircraft maintenance field for a short time for North Central Airlines, but did not care for life in the big city, so they moved back to northern Iowa, settling in Osage. Rod worked in mechanical positions and auto body work for several years. He then took a job working at a lumber yard in Osage, where he worked his way into a managerial job.

He had started flying lessons while in the Twin Cities. Having been on vacation in Crane Lake starting when he was just 14 years old, first with friends, and then with Arlene and family, he and Arlene decided to make the big move to the North Country where he loved to fish and hunt. Rod started Crain Construction in the summer of 1965 at Crane Lake. He was active in the business for nearly the rest of his life. Rod and his two sons, who were also involved in flying, bought an airplane. The first was an Aeronca Champ on floats, skis and wheels, then several years later they upgraded to a Cessna 172. Rod finished his private license while owning the Champ, and went on to fly up to the age of 80. He loved to maintain the airplane as much as fly it. That airplane is still in the family. 

Rod was active in Crane Lake Chapel as a board member for several terms, was active in maintenance of the chapel, and was a regular attendee. He was a charter member of the Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department, active for more than 20 years, and a past fire chief for many of those years. Rod loved to fish and hunt the beautiful woods and lakes around Crane Lake and in Canada, which he used his airplane to fly into. He was known as a “can-do” kind of guy, and there was not much he couldn’t fix, or know how to get fixed. Rod and Arlene spent 15 winters after semi-retirement in Florida, and another six years in the drier climate of southern Texas, before a major stroke limited them to enjoying the last winter in Crane Lake.

Rod is survived by Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years; a daughter, Terri Lee of Osage, Iowa; two sons, Michael (Ginny) Crain of Princeton and Jerry (Jill) Crain of Crane Lake; nine grandchildren, Corinne (Dan) Walker, Michael (Melinda) Lee, Jerrett Crain, Jason (Geraldine) Crain, Brooke (Amie) Caines, Brandon (Kasie) Ziegler, Carlee (fiancé Jake) Crain, Rebecca Crain and Kyle Crain; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Doris and Dorothy North; and numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a son-in-law, John Lee.   

Luetta J. Folz

Luetta J. Folz, 68, of Cook, formerly of Ely, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at Essentia-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, with a gathering of family and friends one hour prior. Rev. Arthur Dale will be the officiant. A reception in Luetta’s honor will be held at the Cook VFW Social Hall immediately after the service and all are invited.

  Luetta was born on Sept. 26, 1943, in Newcomerstown, Ohio. She grew up in Ely where she attended school. Luetta lived in the Ely and Cook areas most of her life. She was a talented seamstress, very creative in arts and crafts, and was an expert in making gorgeous afghans. Her family fondly recalls that she was an amazing cook. She was supportive, loving and dedicated to her grandchildren and cheered them on in their games and recitals.

Luetta is survived by her mother, Doris Isaacson of Inverness, Fla.; her loving companion of 30 years, Gary Czernewski of Cook; two sons, Joseph (Ann) and Jason, both of Ely; three daughters, Linda (Brad) Sandmeyer of Bemidji, Lisa (Tom) Lutz of Maple Plain and Stephanie Faber of Blaine; brother, David Grahek of Embarrass; sister, Donna (Paul) Carlsen of Coon Rapids; 14 grandchildren, Joshua and Kali Sandmeyer, Beth Holzapfel, George Weckman, April (Brian) Hopkins, Vincent and Athena Lund, Zachary and Trevor Buchite, Kirja and Quinten Faber, and Mason, Morgan and Asher Folz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Merle Mardais; former husband, Joseph Folz; and her faithful dog, Jack.

William L. Wagner

William “Bill” Leon Wagner, 73, of Ely, died on Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at Essentia Hospital in Duluth. Per Bill’s wishes, there will be a private graveside ceremony at the Ely Cemetery at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 followed by a reception in Bill’s honor at Creek Ridge Lodge in Ely from 1 to 4 p.m.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy; daughter, Beth (Gary) Adams of Duluth; two dearly loved grandchildren, Beau and Erin; and three brothers, Dick (Paula) and Jack (Carrie), both of Grand Rapids, and Jim (Vicky) of Ely.

Harry W. Homer

Harry “Windy” Winston Homer, 83, of Ely, died on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, surrounded by members of his family at the Veterans Home in Silver Bay. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at First Presbyterian Church in Ely. Burial was at the Ely Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were with Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

Windy is survived by his wife, Marcia of Ely; daughters, Stephanie (Dave) Sustercich of Brainerd, Mara Potthier of Grand Forks, N.D., Carla (Tim) Dupont of Brooklyn Park and Leslie Homer of Boise, Idaho; sons, Harry W. and Jason (Jill), both of Ely; grandchildren, David (Tiffany) Sustercich, Marty Homer, Ryan Gerzin, Olivia Quesnell, Tenely Quesnell, Caroline Homer, Tommy Homer, Angela DuPont, Rachel DuPont and Apolonia Homer; and great-granddaughter, Juliana Sustercich.

William G. Dundas

William “Bill” George Dundas, 83, of Orr, died on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011, at his son’s home in Mountain Iron. A memorial service was held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Virginia. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lorraine Dundas of Orr; four sons, George, Robert (Diane) Dundas and Richard and Michael Dundas, all of Mountain Iron; two daughters, Kristine (Jim) Prepodnik of Greaney and Jojo Dundas of International Falls; eight grandchildren, Elizbeth (Neil) Cheney of Angora, Rebecca (Jarret) Bundy of Buyck, David Dundas and George Dundas Jr., both of Gilbert, Myles Milton of Buhl, Michelle Milton of Virginia, Jennifer Prepodnik of Greaney and Will Dundas of Detroit Lakes; eight great-grandchildren, Zachary, Hannah, Mariah, Maleah, Deserae, Rory, Gracie and Arianna; one sister, Jean (Jim) Tobin of Montevideo; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Wencil G. Wedll Jr.

Wencil “Junior” George Wedll Jr., 91, of Babbitt, died on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at home surrounded by his loving family. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Oct. 10 at St. Pius Catholic Church in Babbitt. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

He is survived by his children, Ginny (Bill) Davidson, Bob (Mary) Wedll, Larry (Carol) Wedll, Mary (Jim) LaValley, Bruce (Cheryl) Wedll, Barb Wedll, Deb (Mike) Rinehart and Sheri Akemann; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; half sister, JoAnn Brusven; sisters-in-law, Barb Wedll and Jean Wedll; and nieces and nephews.

Bernard A. Bonderson

Bernard “Bernie” Adolph Bonderson, 76, of Ely, died on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011, at his home after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 10 at First Lutheran Church in Ely with Pastor John Bonk officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

He is survived by his wife Judy; children, Dorshann (Don) Snyder, Michael (Monica) Bonderson, Benge (Stacey) Bonderson and Heidi (Jim) Bonderson; grandchildren, Heather (Eric) Hedin, Whitney Snyder, Christopher Bonderson, Brandon Bonderson, Mitchell Bonderson, Zachary Snyder, Danielle (Mark) Sauter, Cody Richards, Nicole (Nick) Spolarich and Ian Hansen; great-grandchildren, Emrie, Allyson, Destiny, Brandice and a future great-grandson; sisters, Marlene (Rolly) Reimer, Dellene (Dick) Reed, Eilene (Ed) Clonkey and Pamalene (Roy) Wright; and nieces and nephews.

George J. Sennhauser Jr.


George J. Sennhauser Jr., 85, of Babbitt, died on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2011. A private memorial service is planned. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Debra (Mike) Larson of Wayzata; son, George J. Sennhauser of Duluth; brother, William Sennhauser of Dallas, Texas; and sister, Jean Webster of Lutherville, Md.

Dana I. Anderson, Roderick M. Crain, Luetta J. Folz, William L. Wagner, Harry W. Homer, William G. Dundas, Wencil G. Wedll Jr., Bernard A. Bonderson, George J. Sennhauser Jr.