Obituaries: May 29, 2026
Leonard Mankus
Leonard “Len” “Lenny” Mankus, 87, longtime active resident of Orr, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, surrounded by his wife and loving family. His life will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Orr on Monday, June 1 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Leiding Cemetery in Orr following the service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Orr.
He is survived by his wife, Lucy; daughter, Terri (Jerry) Charles; sons, John (Susan) Mankus and Mark (Gina) Mankus; grandchildren, Lynn, Dave, Myles, Tessa, Danielle, and Dylan; 13 great-grandchildren; stepdaughters, Diana Mattila (Paul), Debra Lynn and Donna Clapp (Tim); stepson, Robert Steffes (Michelle); eight step-grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren, with another one on the way.
Nancy L. Erickson
Nancy Lee Erickson, 84, of Virginia, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alango. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Lunch will immediately follow the service at the VFW in Cook. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
She is survived by her children, Brad (Denise) Erickson, Chad Erickson, Brian Erickson and Sally (Steve) Simmer; 10 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Margaret Lindholm
Margaret LaVerne Anderson Lindholm, 94, of Ely, passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Boundary Waters Care Center in Ely. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, May 27 at Ely United Methodist Church, followed by a luncheon. Memorial donations may be directed to the American Diabetes Association or the charity of your choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
She is survived by her children, Robert (Jeanne), Larry (DeeAnn), Julie (Marty) Ericson and Joan (Dan) Dagger; “inherited daughter” Pam Loe Turnbull; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with an eighth expected in July; sister, Pat (Chuck) Blair; brothers, Art (Dolly) Anderson and Norman Anderson; sisters-in-law, Lois Johnson and Ruth Erickson; and many nieces and nephews.
Eunice B. Foster
Eunice “Beverly” Blanche Sombs Woods Fillis Foster, 93, formerly of Babbitt, died on Friday, May 8, 2026, at her home in Anoka. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Memorial donations may be directed to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Babbitt for the purchase of a much-needed sound system.
She is survived by her three children, Debra (Glenn) Anderson of Babbitt, Patti (Don-deceased) Soll of Anoka and Jeffrey (Candice) Woods of Litchfield; thirteen grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
James A. Erkkila
James Arthur Erkkila, 64, of Babbitt, died on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Babbitt Carefree Living. Arrangements are pending with Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora.
