Obituaries - Apr. 6, 2018

Wilbert Strong Sr.

Wilbert Strong Sr., 79, of Nett Lake, joined his family who left before him, on Monday, March 26, 2018. A Traditional Wake was held on Friday, March 30 at the ENP Bois Forte Community Center in Nett Lake. Traditional Funeral Services were held on Saturday, March 31 at the ENP Bois Forte Community Center in Nett Lake. Spiritual Leader was Billy Blackwell and Spiritual Advisor was Gene Goodsky. Casket bearers were Jay-r, Jonathan, Chesty, Shane, Luke, Jacob, Josh and Wilber. Honorary casket bearers were Gary Donald, Bill Tibbetts, Frank Barto, Jerome Whiteman, Leonard Howard, Gary “Squeek” Strong and Harvey Thompson. The family requested that no red clothing be worn by attendees. Arrangements were with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.

Wilbert was born to Herbert Sr. and Emma (Boness) Strong on Nov. 4, 1938, in Nett Lake. Wilbert joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old. He served in the Korean War. Wilbert was a man who was very talented both as a career person and as an artist. Wilbert was a pipefitter by trade but was also skilled in small engine repair, carpentry and welding. He traveled to each end of the United States working: The Alaskan Pipeline, 3 Mile Island, and the Texas oil rigs. His job excursions were also adventures. When he worked on an oil rig in the ocean near Pensacola, Fla., he would feed sandwiches to the sharks below. During a job in Louisiana, he went swimming in a pond, unknowing to him, that was full of alligators.

Wilbert was a talented artist. He was a perfectionist wood carver and every work he produced was exquisitely detailed. His favorite subjects to carve were birds and sometimes snakes. One of Wilbert’s carvings, a loon, was purchased by the RTC and given to Governor Mark Dayton as a gift. Wilbert cherished his heritage and spoke fluent Ojibwe. He was a high-ranking Midewiwin.

He is survived by his daughters, Connie Strong and Kathleen Strong; grandchildren, Jay-r Carlson, Cheryl Carlson, Jonathan (Denise) Carlson, Gregory “Chesty” Strong, Sophia Ida Strong, Shane Herbert Lien, Patricia Ann Lien, Wilber Lien, Emma Lien, Wyatt “howling mad” Strong, Joshua Strong, Christen (Josh) Crout, Jacob Heggen, Luke Strong (and his wife); and two great-grandchildren, Cheyanne Strong and Darren “Sonny” Jenkens Jr.

Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Emma; favorite grandmother, Rose Beargrease Strong and grandfather, George Strong; beloved wife, Patricia (Tibbetts) Strong in 1973; children, Wilbert Strong Jr., Gregory Dean Strong, Gary Donald Strong, Dawn Marie Strong and Kristopher Todd Strong; granddaughter, Patricia Kathleen Strong; siblings, Joanne Boness Donald, Herbert Jr. Strong, Clara Jane “Strong” Whiteman and Reginald Silas Strong.

James R. Shuster

James “Jim” Robert Shuster, 65, of Greaney, passed away on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018. A celebration of Jim’s life will include visitation on Friday, April 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 7 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr with visitation one hour before the service. Burial will follow the funeral at St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Greaney. A reception in Jim’s honor will be held at the Orr American Legion Hall after the burial.

Gerard Rogers

Gerard “Jerry” Rogers, 61, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Virginia, on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Funeral arrangements are pending the ability of his newborn granddaughter to safely travel to Minnesota. Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.

He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Sharon Horton Rogers; children, Amy (Mike) Irwin of Marana, Ariz., and Andy (Karla) Rogers of Babbitt; grandchildren, Alexandra Irwin, Jameson Rogers and newly-born Gianna Irwin, who was welcomed on March 27, 2018; twin brother, Pat (Cindy) Rogers, and brothers, Steve (Angie) Rogers and John (Bonnie) Rogers, all of Virginia; sisters, Kathy (Donn) Schlotec of Proctor and JoAnn (John) Luhtala of Duluth; brothers-in-law, Steven (Melissa) Horton of St. Charles, Mo., and John (Susan) Horton of Andover; sisters-in-law, Mary Anne Horton of Oakdale, Libby (Glenn) Ferris of Marshfield, Wis., Kathy (Kevin) Hoyhtya of Center City, Leslie (Kim) Erickson of Boca Raton, Fla., and Maggie (Ken) Holkko of Virginia; numerous extended family and friends.