Obituaries: February 6, 2026

Darlene L. Kittelson
Darlene Lois Peterson Kittelson, 91, born in Freeborn County on Dec. 7, 1934, graduated from Lake Mills High School in Lake Mills, Iowa, in 1952, passed away on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 2025, at home with her daughter by her side.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a memorial service on Saturday, May 9 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, celebrating her union to Duane Kittelson in the same sanctuary 73 years ago to the day. Visitation begins at 11:30 a.m., with a service at noon followed by a luncheon celebrating their lives well-lived together, as well as honoring mothers on Mothers’ Day. Duane passed away on Aug. 12, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, small memorials will be accepted for Duane’s JC Penney HCSC Foundation and for Darlene’s Immanuel Lutheran Church Fund in Tower.

Keith A. Torma
We are very sad to notify the world of the unexpected passing of Keith Alan Torma on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. There will be a celebration of life at McKinley Park on Lake Vermilion in Soudan on June 20, afternoon until evening. All friends and family are welcome.
He is survived by his children, Nico and Dylan; maternal grandmother, Penny Sunsdahl; parents, Dale and Cindy Torma; sister, Jeannie Little; brother-in-law, Daron Little; niece, Makenzie Little (fiancé Colton Friendshuh); and aunts, uncles and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Arne and Shirley Torma; maternal grandfather, Orvis Sunsdahl; uncle, Gary Burgess; and cousin, Adam Burgess.

Nathan W. Pike
Nathan William Pike, 77, of Embarrass, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, at Essentia Health in Duluth after a courageous journey with dementia. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 14 from 12:30-3 p.m., with a time of remembrance and sharing of stories at 1:30 p.m., at Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his beloved wife of more than 48 years, Jeanette Pike; children, Jeremy (Mel) Pike, Roman (Bobbi) Pike and Audra (John) Kettelhut; stepchildren, Ron Jensen (Sheena Isle), Keith (Wendy) Jensen, Howard (Terrie) Jensen, Harley (Megan) Jensen, Ginny Jensen and Sam (Aaron) Johnson; sisters, Susan (Tom) Maikkula and Barbara Pike; brother, Mike Pike; very special aunt, Lorraine Jarve; an abundance of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will deeply miss him.

Louise T. Kieke
Louise T. Champa Kieke, 78, of St. Augusta, originally of Ely, died on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, surrounded by her family at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, Jan. 30 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in St. Augusta. Burial was in the parish cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
She is survived by her children, Greg (Margaret) of Cold Spring, Amy (John) Allen of Long Prairie and Kimberly (Derek Anderson) Watson of Clearwater; seven grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; brother, Louie Champa of Ely; sister, Linda (Bruce) Fritz of St. Cloud; in-laws, Doris Schroeder of St. Augusta and Bob and Carol Kieke of Stacy; and many nieces and nephews.

Anthony L. Serena
Anthony “Tony” Louis Serena, 84, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. A special thank you to the East Range Hospice Team in Virginia for their excellent, compassionate, caring support to Tony and his entire family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Lee Evelyn Belt Serena; children, Lee (Joni) Serena of Sauk Rapids, Cathy (Dan) Stachowski of Sartell and Annette (Ed) Horvat of Ely; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Dave (Diane) Serena; sisters-in-law, JoAnne (Mike) Clemmer and Cindy (Paul) Hellerstedt; godson, Bobby Revord; and numerous nieces and nephews.