Obituaries: July 18, 2025

Marcia L. DeGroote
Marcia Lenore DeGroote, 85, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully in her home in Merino, Colo., on Saturday, June 14, 2025. A celebration of life for both Marcia and Doug will be held at the Greenwood Township Town Hall on Lake Vermilion on Sunday, July 27 from 1-3 p.m.
Marcia dedicated her life to education, serving for many years as an elementary and reading teacher. Her passion for learning and her encouraging spirit left a lasting impact on generations of students. Marcia traveled extensively with her family and lived in many places throughout her life, but her heart always returned to the family cabin on Lake Vermilion, which she considered her true home since childhood. It was there that she found joy, connection with family, neighbors, and nature. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Marcia is survived by her daughter, Holli DeAntoni-DeGroote; son, Terry DeGroote (Chris); grandchildren, Ryan DeGroote (Jennifer) and Rachael Letney (Don); great-grandchildren, Eleri and Alaric Letney and Irene DeGroote; and lifelong friend, JoAnn Halunen.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Doug DeGroote; parents, William and Lenore Uren of Virginia; and brothers, David and Terry Uren. 

Vlasta Brosell-Skala
Vlasta Kral Brosell-Skala, 93, of Tower, passed away on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Edgewood Vista Memory Care in Virginia. A wake service will be held at Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia on Thursday, July 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 18 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in White Bear Lake. Burial will be next to her first husband at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Funeral arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Vlasta was born in Omaha, Neb., on Feb. 16, 1932, to Charles and Anna Schumann Kral and moved to Toivola, when she was four. She was a member of the last graduating Class of Toivola High School in 1952 and graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing where she earned her nursing diploma. Vlasta worked in California and various hospitals in the Twin Cities, and retired from St. Therese Care Center in New Hope.
She married Phillip D. Brosell on June 16, 1956, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Duluth. After Phillip’s death, she married Joseph Skala on July 28, 2001, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower. Vlasta was a member of Meadowlands Lodge 361 for over 80 years; and a life member of Ladies Auxiliary of Post 3044 in Cotton. She and Joe loved to travel and visited over 20 countries and cruised to the Panama Canal.
She is survived by husband of 24 years, Joseph Skala; four daughters, Billie Ann Bisek, Mary Haag, Rebecca Flores, and Suzanne Brosell; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two stepchildren, Joanie Skala and Joseph Skala.
She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Phillip; son, John Phillip; sisters, Anna Puttonen, Betty Zeleny, and Rose Marie Degnan; and brother, Charles Kral Jr., who was killed in action in Italy in 1943.

Marilyn A. Scott 
Marilyn “Missy” A. Scott, 76, of Crane Lake, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025. A celebration of life will be held at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 25 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alango. Visitation will be one hour prior at 8 a.m. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Rosemary Hoffer 
Rosemary Hoffer, 92, of Orr, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Orr. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Ray Vesel
Ray Vesel, 90, of Ely, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Carefree Living. Cremation has taken place. A Funeral Mass and Committal will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 1 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Kerntz Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rita F. Kuznia
Rita Frances Kuznia, 75, of Embarrass, passed away suddenly at her home on Friday, July 4, 2025. Thank you to ESI and NHS Northstar for their exceptional care over her lifetime and making her feel loved and joyous. Graveside services were held on Friday, July 11 at the Embarrass Cemetery. Arrangements were with Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
She is survived by her sisters, Bernadine Wisocki, Joanne Starzyk, and Annette Thibeault; brother, Fred Kuznia; and their families.