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William M. Isham
William Merle Isham, 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. Visitation was held on Sunday, Dec. 1 at the Bois Forte Government Community Building in Nett Lake and continued until the service commenced on Monday, Dec. 2. Pallbearers were Tyler Buchholz, Nicolis Buchholz, Jake Isham, Alexander Isham, Ernie Landgren Jr. and Luke Landgren. Honorary pallbearers were William G. Isham, Shullon Isham, Kevin Strong, Pablo Gonzales, Jim Prepodnik, John Prepodnik, Elius Strong, Garret Landgren and Henry Thompson. Arrangements were with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.
William was born on Oct. 10, 1946, in Cloquet, to William George Isham and Lillian Day. He was a Combat Veteran, who served proudly in the U.S. Army, 1st Logistical Command from 1968 until he was honorably discharged in 1970. His talent and knowledge were vast. His career included, but was not limited to, Law Enforcement Officer, Federal Bureau of Prisons as a Prison Guard - Stillwater, Bureau of Indian Affairs Law Enforcement Officer, Bois Forte Conservation Officer, Heavy Equipment
Operator, Sawyer, Millwright, Logistic Specialist 92A and Teacher. He attended college at Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas to study welding.
William enjoyed spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, driving, motorcycling, martial arts, shooting, reloading, billiards, cooking, beadwork and collecting. He loved to explore new places, new restaurants, shopping, and he especially cherished spending time with his
partner in crime and best friend, Chance “Mini-Moosh” Isham. These two were inseparable; it was rare that you would see one without the other. Chance joined his friend to continue their adventures together on Dec. 17, 2024. William was always willing to lend a helping hand and cared deeply for animals. William often spoke about the heartbreak he had to endure as a conservation officer addressing unwanted pets. He was extremely resourceful and if he could not find something he needed, he would build it. Many would say he was a pretty good mechanic, although he would say he was only a mechanic because he had to be.
William is survived by his son, William George Isham (Jannan); two daughters, Louise Elizabeth Isham and Jennifer Lorainne Isham; grandchildren, Tyler Buchholz (Crystal), Nicolis Buchholz (Racheal), Shullon Isham/Strong (Kevin), Jake Isham and Alexander Isham; great-grandchildren, Elius and Hazel Strong, Neko Buchholz, Boo Isham, Stella Isham, Molly Isham, Sally Isham, Grace Isham, Allyssa Isham, Graham Isham, Jazmin Buchholz, Gabryl Buchholz and William Isham.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Grace Elizabeth Isham; parents; and siblings, Clint, Ernie, Jake, Lee, Lois, Lazinia, Zenobia and Roberta.
Darrell A. Brigan
Darrell “Louie” A. Brigan, 72, longtime resident of Cook, died on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at his home. A gathering of family and friends was held on Thursday, Jan. 23 at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing. A spring interment will be in the Bearville Cemetery in Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Robin Cochran Brigan of Cook; children, Melanie Brigan of Cook, Cheryl Brigan of Duluth and Jeremy (Danielle) Larson of Hibbing; siblings, Viola Newman of Cook, Mike (Carol) Williams, Debra “Debbie” Williams and Steve Williams, all of Duluth, and Dale Williams of Chisholm; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Florence M. Young
Florence Merle Young, 86, of Cook, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. There will be a private family interment in the spring. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Margaret Pete
Margaret Charlene Pete, “Wabiishkii Maiiganikwe,” age 42, of Virginia, died Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.
Tribal rites were held on Saturday, Jan. 18. Tommy Councillor was the Spiritual Advisor. Burial was in the Bois Forte Vermilion Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
Marge was born June 29, 1982, in Virginia, the daughter of Peter Pete Jr. and Muriel Deegan and was a graduate of Tower-Soudan High School. Marge worked at various retail stores and was a security guard at Fortune Bay Casino. She loved her music, beach outings, followed the Lake Vermilion Drum Group, and cherished time with her children and family.
Marge is survived by her mother, Muriel Deegan; children, Anissa Pete, Alexander (Ava Smith) Pete, Nevaeh Hartland, Niijah Pete; grandson, Alexander Pete Jr.; brothers, Peter Deegan and Tristan (Jasmine Gawboy) Day; stepbrother, Bern Day; sister Juanita Deegan; stepsisters, Stacy Day and Anne Isham; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Peter Pete Jr.; sister, Anya Pete; maternal grandmother, Jeanette Deegan.