Obituaries: August 23, 2024

Duane E. Kittelson
Duane Edward Kittelson, 89, of Lake Vermilion-Tower, passed away on Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Essentia Health in Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Fellowship will follow immediately after the service. For floral memorials, please call Amy Vesel at One Pine Flower Farm, 218-780-5600. A second service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7 at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
Duane was born on Aug. 22, 1934, in Albert Lea, and married Darlene Lois Peterson on May 9, 1953. They enjoyed 71 years of marriage. Together they had three children, one grandson and four great-grandchildren. His career with J.C. Penney Co. spanned 41 years, and included stores in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. But he and Darlene returned to their beautiful Lake Vermilion property, which they have enjoyed since 1958.

Lucille Carlson
Lucille Carlson, 93, passed away on August 17, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake, Minn. Family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.
Lucille was born on January 23, 1931, in Tower, Minn., on the Iron Range, one of the coldest spots in the nation and one of the most beautiful. She attended the Tower-Soudan schools and St. Martin’s Catholic Church. Lucille married Marvin Carlson from Duluth in 1949, and lived in Duluth, then Ely, where they had their three sons, Larry, Glenn, & Alan. They then moved to Minneapolis. As their children grew up, along with being a homemaker, Lucille worked as a secretary and attended classes at the University of Minnesota. Later, through creative writing classes, she became a published writer. She received a book award from the Billy Graham Decision School of Christian Writing, and published articles in the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and other newspapers and poetry in Decision Magazine and other magazines. Lucille was a member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, St. Peter’s Catholic Church and other Christian groups, American Legion Axillary, and WOW. They moved to Forest Lake in 1992 and built a new home.
The most important thing in her life was her family and her Christian faith. Marvin and Lucille had the joy of sharing in the marriages of their sons and some of their grandchildren and many family trips and gatherings. Marvin and Lucille also had the joy of celebrating their 50th anniversary surrounded by family. Marvin preceded her in death and so did their son, Larry, and grandson, Alan William. She then joined WOW (widows & widowers’ organization) and began writing a book on caregiving.
She is preceded in death by parents; husband of 50 years, Marvin; son, Larry; infant grandson, Alan William; daughter-in-law, Shirl; sister, Ann; brother, Dean.
She is survived by sons, Alan, Glenn (Beth); grandchildren; and numerous great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers memorial can be made out to Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul.

Lee R. Aho
Lee R. Aho, 71, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side, on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Babbitt Golf Course from noon to 4 p.m. A luncheon will be provided. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his wife, Diane Novak Aho; dog and former co-worker, Nina; brothers, LeRoy (Cheryl) and Lawrence (Lauren); sisters, Judy Von Wald, Janet Bratlien and Jean Wichern; and many special nieces and nephews.

Shirley M. Bixby
Shirley M. Bixby, 87, of Cook, passed away peacefully on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook with visitation from 1-2 p.m. and a funeral service at 2 p.m. Immediately following the service, there will be a gathering with coffee an’ in the church basement. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Larry T. Vezina
Larry Theodore Vezina, 83, of Bigfork, passed away on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at Bigfork Valley Hospital. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 23 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. 
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Leola Chrisman Vezina; sister, Brenda Pocquette; children, Julie (Jack) LeBlanc, Greg (Lesley) Vezina and Sandy (Gino) Anselmo; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Barbara L. Heino 
Barbara Louise Esala Heino, 82, of Tierra Verde, Fla., who grew up in Pike-Sandy, died on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, after a long battle against cancer. A memorial service was held on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. Family services were provided by Behm Funeral Home of Geneva, Ohio.
She is survived by four children; fourteen grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.