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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: May 19, 2023

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Geraldyn F. Erickson 
Geraldyn Fay “Jerry” Erickson, 92, of Sartell, formerly of Sacred Heart, died on Monday, May 8, 2023, at the Country Manor Villa Apartments in Sartell.  A memorial service was held on Wednesday, May 17 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart. The Rev. Michelle Kleene officiated.  Burial was in the church cemetery in Sacred Heart. Arrangements were with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service in Renville.
 Geraldyn Fay “Jerry” was born on Feb. 26, 1931, in St. Paul, to Sherman Cody and Nellie (Littlefield) Morgan. She grew up in St. Paul and graduated from Humboldt High School. After high school, Jerry continued her education at Macalester College and then later at Southwest State College where she received her BS degree. She later earned her Master’s Degree at St. Thomas College. She taught school in Gilbert, Duluth, Sacred Heart, BDRSH and RCW.  
 Jerry loved spending summers at the family cabin on Eagles Nest Lake near Ely, and winters in Arizona. She was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Sacred Heart, and was active with several organizations both in the Sacred Heart and Ely areas. Coffee, cookies and conversation were always available when visiting Jerry. Many will remember her annual St. Patrick’s Day shenanigans. Jerry was united in marriage to Donald Andrew Erickson on July 10, 1954, in St. Paul.
Jerry is survived by her children, Mark (LaVonne), Bonnie (John) Pottratz, Nancy (Tom) Froehling, Gail and David; grandchildren, Kevin, Peter, Hannah, Adam, Elizabeth, Diane, Kristen, Andrew, Philip, Megan, Aaron, Jaime and Samuel; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
 She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jeanne Haskell; and husband, Donald.

Norman K. Corey
Norman Keith Corey, 93, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, died on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, in Essentia Health-Virginia. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:30 until the 11 a.m. memorial service on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Tower Civic Center. Linda Kronholm will officiate. Private inurnment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. The memorial gathering will continue from 12 noon until 2 p.m. at the civic center. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Beatrice H. Lamppa
Beatrice Helen Ranta Lamppa, 95, of Virginia and formerly of Babbitt, died on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Edgewood Vista in Virginia. A visitation and celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 19 at Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church in Embarrass. Inurnment will be in the Embarrass Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her children, Carlen (Caroline) Lamppa of Aurora, Dr. Michael (Charlene) Lamppa of Savage, Bernadette Bradshaw of Wichita, Kan., and Russell (Melanie) Lamppa of New Hope; grandchildren, Brent (Melissa) Lamppa, Reece (Shannon) Lamppa and Cassandra Lamppa; and great-grandchildren, Maggie, Allie, Vivian and Eleanor Lamppa.

Robert N. Niemiste
Robert Newman “Bob” Niemiste, 88, died peacefully, with his wife near his side, in the early morning of Thursday, May 11, 2023, at The Orchards of Minnetonka Assisted Living in Minnetonka. A Christian burial and celebration of life will be held this summer at Peace Lutheran Church in New London at a date to be announced.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marilyn Sand Niemiste; daughter, Jennifer (Brian) Arne of Long Lake; son, John (Gretchen) Niemiste of Tower; son-in-law, Thomas (Robin) Sult of New London; grandchildren, Andrew Thompson, John Thompson, Adam Morrison, Laura Gerlach, Jack Morrison, Aaron Niemiste and Paige Niemiste; great-grandchildren, Haakon, Astrid, Jackson, Navy, Wright, Lennon, Stella and Enzo.

Daniel J. Zubich III
Daniel John “Dan” Zubich III, 80, of Onalaska, Wis., formerly of Babbitt, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Per Dan’s wishes, his family is holding a celebration of life instead of a traditional funeral. All are invited to honor and remember Dan’s amazing life on Saturday, June 3 from 1-5 p.m. at Mac’s Bar and Grill in Mt. Iron, the same location where his surprise 80th birthday party was recently celebrated.

John G. Heikkila
John Gary Heikkila, 81, of Virginia, formerly of Tower, passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023, surrounded by family, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 17 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Virginia. A committal service was held on Thursday, May 18 at the Veterans Cemetery in Duluth.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Margaret “Peggy”; son, Corey (Jenny) of Rogers; daughter, Julie of St. Paul; grandchildren, Emily and Reed; brother, Donnie (Lois) of Virginia; several nieces and nephews and extended family members.