Obituaries: August 16, 2024

Paula D. Barnes
Paula Doreen Lind Barnes, 68, of Tower, passed away peacefully in the arms of Jesus in Virginia Hospital Hospice on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, with family by her side. In 2020, Paula developed ovarian cancer that spread to her peritoneal abdominal cavity. She was a loving and energetic mother, grandmother, sister and friend and will sadly be missed by all who knew and loved her.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 at the Evangelical Free Church in Embarrass, with a gathering afterward at 4 p.m. at the Tower Civic Center for a silent auction, food and remembrance. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Paula’s Go Fund Me at https://www.gofundme.com/paulalindbarnes.
Paula was born on June 20, 1956, in Minneapolis, to Curtis Herbert Lind and Darlene Joann Sandstrom Lind. The family lived in Pike Lake in houses built by her dad and maternal grandfather, Turre, until her parents moved to Alaska.
She graduated from Proctor High School in 1974 and attended UMD and Lake Superior College for medical laboratory science. Paula worked for Essentia Health Clinic laboratories in Ely, Tower and Babbitt, Cook Hospital, and lastly at Bois Forte Tribal Clinic as lab/x-ray manager-supervisor.
Paula was active at the Evangelical Free Church of Embarrass under Pastor Marlin Bjornrud and his wife, Jeanine. She was a part of the choir, Sunday School, youth league events, school events for her children, and coaching volleyball, softball and basketball. She loved researching and recounting family history for further generations. She was an antiquer and crafter known for her soy candles and lotions. She loved remodeling and decorating houses. In the end, she discovered e-biking, and a love-hate relationship ensued. Paula married her soulmate, Jason Mathew Barnes, in 2016. It was her dream to go through life with him, completing their happy, loving journey.
Paula is survived by her husband, Jason; three children with Robert Francis Trucano of Tower, Terah Sue (Nathan) Rinerson, Robert Andrew Trucano and Tasha Anna Trucano (Lee) Majerle; three sisters, Pamela (Dave) Peterson, Lisa Anna Repensky and Lana (Lind) Arro; sister-in-law, Juanita Trucano, who was more like a sister; the joys of her life, five grandchildren, Oryann Sophia Trucano, Hayden Rinerson, Evelyn Rinerson, Robert Charles Trucano Swartz and Cecilia Majerle; mother, Darlene Lind; numerous nieces and nephews; and mother-in-law, Patricia Barnes of Quakertown, Penn.
She was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Fred and Anna Savik Lind; maternal grandparents, Turre Alexander and her best friend, Grandma Edna Nylund Sandstrom; in-laws, Charles and Mildred Trucano; loving father, Curtis Herbert Lind; and father-in-law, Donald Barnes.

Joyce H. Peuranen
Joyce Helga “Joy” Hill Peuranen, 89, of Vermilion Lake Township, was called home by our Lord on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, surrounded by her precious family. A private family service will be held. Burial will take place at the Vermilion Lake Cemetery. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
Joyce “Joy” was born on Feb. 23, 1935, to Helen and Charles “Charlie” Hill at her parents’ home on the Pike River in Vermilion Lake Township near Tower. She was a lifelong resident of Vermilion. Joyce attended Vermilion’s School 40, graduated from Embarrass High School in 1953, and attended junior college in Virginia. She met the love of her life, John Peuranen, at a wedding dance. Joyce and John were married on June 1, 1957, at the Embarrass Apostolic Church and enjoyed 67 adventurous years together. They raised three children in the home she designed and John built which they filled with love, laughter, faith, and plenty of sisu. Joyce enjoyed working at the REA (Rural Electrification Association) before starting her family. She also worked at the Embarrass Credit Union and as an election judge, before turning to nursing where she provided attentive care at Arrowhead Nursing Home for many years before retiring. She was a longtime member of Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church.
Joyce loved to travel and saw the beauty of God’s creation in nature. When her children were young, summers found her paddling the BWCA, especially Lake Isabella, for family camping trips whenever sunny weather landed on John’s days off. You wouldn’t guess by looking at her but Joyce could out-paddle a man twice her size when wild ricing with John, or one-third her age while whitewater rafting in retirement. She always navigated while John drove their family on camping road trips out west, sharing mountains, oceans and national parks with their children. Later in life, the road led them to Alaska, New England, the Wild West, Canada and for 22 years to Port Aransas, Texas, where she walked the beach and watched dolphins instead of trudging through the snow drifts of Minnesota winters.
Joyce delighted in cooking. She showed her love of her family and friends through her wonderful new recipes, homemade breads, and a never-empty cookie jar for her grandchildren. She shared her creativity through her original cross-stitched art, hand-pieced quilts, painted ceramics, and tailored clothes. She loved to watch high school hockey, the Olympics, and keep up with politics on TV. In her spare time, you could usually find her cozied up with a good book. Her intelligence, common sense, thoughtfulness and sisu will be dearly missed.
Joyce is survived by her husband, John Peuranen of Vermilion Lake; three children, Jodene (Brad) Syrjanen of Esko, Jill Peuranen of St. Paul and Jay Peuranen of Vermilion Lake; three grandchildren, Jeremy (Courtney) Syrjanen of Zimmerman, Bridger Carlson and Solei Carlson, both of Saint Paul; one sweet great-grandchild, Brielle and her new sister expected to arrive in September; sister, Sharon (Bob) Beckman of Bensen, Ariz.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as beloved extended family, Pike Apostolic Lutheran Church family, and friends.
She was reunited in heaven with her parents; sister, Hazel (Gorden) Crayne, whom she missed every day; infant brother, Robert; and so many family members and friends. Joyce shared that the hard part of reaching 89 years of age was the large number of family members and good friends that she’d had to say goodbye to.

Shirley Hartleben
Shirley A. Milbrandt Hartleben, 88, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. She had resided at Carefree Living in Ely for the past five years. Her family will forever be thankful for the care she received and special friendships she had with all her caregivers and residents of Carefree. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Ely Cemetery. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her children, Wayne (Elaine), Peggy (Dean) Erzar and Curtis (Jackie), all of Ely; sisters-in-law, Diann (Wally) Milbrandt and Joyce (Larry) Milbrandt, both of Hankinson, N.D.; sister-in-law, Betty DeMersseman of Greeley, Colo.; grandchildren, Terry (Emily) Erzar, Tracy (Mark) Henrich, Travis (Shanna) Erzar, Sara (Ben) Hutar, Emily (Mike) Hartleben, Hillary (Eric) Hartleben and Alicia (Van) Hartleben; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Jahna L. Sandberg
Jahna Lynn Sandberg, 23, of Cook, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Many people created great memories with Jahna to cherish forever and she will be deeply missed. She is a hero as she was a donor and has changed lives of people who never knew her. A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 16 at the Cook Community Center. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
She is survived by her mother, Taryn (Donnie Luecken); brother and sister-in-law, Jaret and Destinie and their children, Grayson and Leah; bonus sister, Michaela Luecken; grandmother, Gail (Mike Gwash) Brunner; grandfather, Merlin Sandberg; great-grandfather, Ken Brunner; aunts, uncles, cousins, many other family members and friends.

Gary L. Pratt
Gary Lee Pratt, 64, a longtime Pike Township resident, passed away on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at the Pike Town Hall. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 
He is survived by his wife, RaeAnn Leppala Pratt; son, Eric (Rachel) Pratt; granddaughter, Bonnie; and brother, Jerry.

Donald D. Dean
Donald “Duffer” D. Dean, 88, of Virginia, passed away on Friday, Aug. 8, 2024, at Waterview Pines in Virginia. Per his request, there will be no public service. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Don was born on March 14, 1936, in Saginaw, Mich., and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1954. In 1957, Don was hired as a Patrolman for the City of Virginia. He loved his career as a Police Officer and worked hard to advance his position in the force. Don retired in 1992 as Assistant Chief of Police.
In 1959, Don served in the Army National Guard of Minnesota earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was decorated with a Good Conduct Medal and Marksmanship Badge. Don was a member of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association.
He is survived by three sons, Douglas Dean, David Dean and Daniel Dean; one daughter, Dawn (Scott) Frazee; four grandchildren, Abigail (Ripley Siemsen) Frazee, Avery (Adeline Robbins) Frazee, Zoe (Carter Meier) Swanson-Dean and Arianna Dean; two step-grandchildren, Aubie (Jason) Shaw Paulsen and Mandy Shaw; and two great-grandchildren, Flora and Arlo Siemsen.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Bertha Dean; and the mother of his children, M. Kay Dean.