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James Cottrell
Today Butch is reading his obituary in the paper and that must mean he’s with “the man upstairs.” He read every part of the paper and had a system of doing so. He had a system for most everything!
James “Butch” Cottrell, 81, of Cook, passed away on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at Diamond Willow Assisted Living Facility in Mt. Iron. He actually read the majority of the paper that day and even commented on the Dear Abby column. Butch lived life by his own rules. Even though doctors told him he had only days, maybe hours, to live back in December, he chose to be stubborn and stay with us for another month. It may have been because he had a “captive audience” for the jokes and stories he wanted to share. He loved making people laugh and his delivery made the joke even better. There’s no doubt that most who knew him will recall a joke or story that Butch told them.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook, with visitation for one hour before the service. A lunch will follow the service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
Butch was born in Mora on Oct. 4, 1940, to James and Arlene Cottrell. He grew up in McGrath and graduated in 1958. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Colorado, Germany and Chicago from 1958 until 1961. After the military, he returned to Minnesota where he found work as a lineman doing powerline construction, moving to and from several states in the Midwest.
Butch married Cleo Rude on June 11, 1966. Needing to go where the next powerline construction project happened to be, Butch moved his family to several different towns throughout Minnesota, North Dakota and Illinois. In November 1968, the family settled in Cook, while he was working for Spalj Construction of Crosby. The company was contracted to build a powerline from Cook to Crane Lake. In April 1969, Jack Whiteside asked him to come to work for Northern Electric Cooperative. They moved to their current home in September 1969. Butch retired from Lake Country Power in August 2002. He was proud of the many people he helped by turning on their electricity. He often received thank-you cards from people who saw him working through the night, many times during terrible storms, to get their lights back on. When a trouble call came in, Butch would always go, no matter the time of day.
Butch enjoyed working in the garden, riding one of his numerous horses, and taking saunas. He built his sauna from an old horse barn and was very proud of it. Butch attended the Effie Rodeo for many years. Watching old Westerns, especially Gunsmoke and Bonanza, was a favorite pastime and he could recite most of the dialogue on cue.
Butch learned to whitefish from his good friend, Rico Roivanen. Their smoked whitefish was always a big hit for those who ate it. Deer hunting season was a special time of year, as well. He spent many years on Hinsdale Island hunting with family and friends. He also hunted near Ash Lake with relatives, and around home with his sons, daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren. After he retired, Butch would frequently attend games and events his grandchildren were involved in. Getting rides behind a four-wheeler or on a horse are fond memories for all his grandkids.
While feeding the critters that wandered into the yard, he found sport in “weeding out” the ones that were offensive or just looking for a free meal. Despite keeping occupied with all of these daily routines, Butch never turned down an opportunity to help. He would give rides to appointments, a tug out of the ditch, or visit a friend or relative. He enjoyed helping anyone he could. He instilled a strong work ethic in his kids and grandkids and always led by example, often outworking his kids in any activity, whether it was throwing bales or cutting wood.
When asked what he thought should be in his obituary, Dad was quiet for a bit. He then asked, “Do you know what’s written under my yearbook picture?” We responded, “No, we do not.” His reply, “It says, ‘Anyone want to hear a joke?’ You should use that.” So that’s what we did.
Rest easy and sleep quick, Grandpa Butch. You’ll be missed by many but your words will live on and give people a reason to laugh and remember the good times.
Butch is survived by his wife, Cleo Cottrell; son, Del (Lisa) Cottrell and their children, Doug and Becca; son, Jerry (Natalie) Cottrell; daughter, Shelly (Mike) Flaten and their children, James “Jake” (Abby), Joe, Jen and Julia; son, Dan (Stacy) Cottrell and their children, Kayleigh and Clay; brothers, Bob Cottrell of Wheatland, Iowa, Jack Cottrell of Lost Nation, Iowa, and Dave (Nancy) Cottrell of Sauk Rapids; sister, Jan Cottrell of McGrath; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins; and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty (Roy) Cottrell; parents, James and Arlene Cottrell; brother, Darel Cottrell; in-laws and other relatives.
Thomas E. Skubic
Thomas Edward Skubic, 71, of Grand Junction, Colo., formerly of Virginia, died on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at his home. A celebration of Tom’s life will take place at a later date in Minnesota. Arrangements are with Callahan-Edfast Mortuary and Crematory in Grand Junction.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; son, Nick (Ashley) Skubic of Denver, Colo.; daughter, Jenny Skubic of Phoenix, Ariz.; stepsons, Paul Ranta of Mt. Iron and Tyler (Katie) Ranta of Virginia; grandchildren, Annabel Skubic, Michael, Margo and Miller Ranta; sister, Ann (Bruce) Peterson of Duluth; brothers, Michael Skubic (Dianne French) of Virginia, Jim (Cyndy) Skubic and Paul Skubic, both of Tower; mother-in-law, Doris Lappi of Cook; sisters-in-law, Brenda (Jim) Koskovich of Aurora and Elayne Lappi of Playas de Rosarito, Mexico; and many nieces and nephews.
Melissa Brockman
Melissa “Missy” Brockman, 66, of Orr, passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at her home. Per Missy’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Missy was born in La Crosse, Wis., on March 21, 1955, to William and Ruth (Hoffman) McCaffrey. Missy grew up in La Crescent, Minn., graduating from La Crescent High School in 1973. Missy was united in marriage to Mike Brockman on April 27, 1981, in Duluth. They moved to Dryden, Ontario, Canada, and lived off the land for six years. The couple then moved to Orr in 1985 to start a family. Missy was employed as a housekeeper with North Country Inn for 20 years and Norman’s Hotel for two years, before she retired in 2018.
Missy enjoyed living a quiet life tucked away at her home in the woods. She loved being a grandma and looked forward to every photo, phone call and visit that came her way from them.
Missy fought a hard battle of Stage 4 lung cancer for almost four years. She lived a life full of love, adventure, and good memories. She loved her family and especially her grandchildren. Anyone who knew Missy knew she was a one-of-a-kind, down-to-earth, and kind-hearted person. She will be deeply missed and always remembered.
Missy is survived by her loving husband, Mike Brockman; son, Matt (Lindsey) Brockman; daughter, Megan (Nate) Pierce; grandchildren, Quinn and Owen Brockman, Lena, Boone and Hogan Pierce; three step-grandchildren, Annie, Sven and Lauryn Pierce; brother, Terry McCaffrey; and sister, Karen Reichert.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Bill” and Ruth McCaffrey; and brother, Tom McCaffrey.
Gabriele Pihlaja
Gabriele “Gaby” Espenschied Pihlaja, 74, of Cook, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. A funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the VFW in Cook. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Pihlaja; daughter, Sheilah Pajunen; grandchildren, Anthony Jenkins and Jessica Steventon (Kirkpatrick); great-grandchildren, Rowan Kirkpatrick, Emory and Avery Steventon, and Janis Jenkins; sister, Annie Klein; niece, Petra (Robert) Weller; and many cousins.
John A. Debeltz
John Andrew Debeltz, 83, a lifelong resident of Ely, passed away on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, brother and pastor. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29 at The Ely Gospel Church. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
John is survived by his wife, Cheryl Debeltz; children, John L. (Linda) Debeltz, Dawn (Marty) Chinander and Sherry Larson; grandchildren, Zach (Angie) Debeltz, Jesse Debeltz, Caitlin (Luke) Daniels and Sarah Larson; sister, Jeanie Hasseblad of Nevada; and brothers, Jonathan (Cheryl) Debeltz of Wyoming, Jerome (Mary) Debeltz of Ely and Jerry Debeltz of Texas.
David M. Mayen
David Michael Mayen, 76, of Babbitt, passed away from natural causes. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Not one to wish people to be sad or serious, Dave’s wish was for people to celebrate his life with joy.
He is survived by his children, Russell Mayen, Debra (Craig) Pulley and Amber Mayen; mother of his children, Carol Saatela; grandchildren, Megan Pulley, Anna Mills and Morgan Entner; brothers, Jeff Mayen, Michael (Joan) Mayen and Gary (Rayette) Mayen; and many nieces and nephews.