Harold Philip Forsberg was born July 31, 1923 at the home of his parents in Braham, Minn. He graduated from Braham High School in 1940. Harold then entered the two-year Electrical Program at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, graduating in 1942.
On Jan. 26, 1943, Harold was inducted into the United States Navy. He received his basic training at Farragut, Idaho. He was then sent to the Electricity Service School at Great Lakes, Ill. where he graduated first in his class and received the Admirals Commendation. He then went to the Naval Mine Warfare School in Yorktown, Virginia. Harold served on the USS Lake Champlain and was later stationed at Seeadler Harbor on Manus Island in the Admiralty Island chain.
Harold was honorably discharged from the Navy on March 29, 1946 and returned to Braham where shortly thereafter he met Jean Hegman.
On the afternoon of Sept. 18, 1948, Harold and Jean were married at the Braham Covenant Church by the Rev F. C. Duerre. They made their home in Braham where they raised their four children.
He worked with his father, L.A. Forsberg, drilling and repairing wells before he became a postal clerk in the Braham Post Office in 1948. In 1957, Harold became a rural mail carrier, serving the Braham area until his retirement from the Post Office in 1986.
Harold was also a dedicated school bus driver for 34 years. After his retirement, Harold was a member of the Braham volunteer ambulance service and worked for the funeral home in Braham.
Harold was a lifelong active member of the Braham Covenant Church. As an infant, he was baptized in the church. As a young adult, he was confirmed by the congregation. He served on the church board for many years and was a key member of the churchs expansion efforts in the 1960s and 1970s.
Harold was proud of his 100-percent Swedish heritage. His great-grandfather John Forsberg and family arrived in Isanti County in 1868, settling along the Rum River just west of Cambridge. A trip to Sweden in 1989 was especially meaningful to Harold as he was able to visit his Swedish relatives as well as the homesteads of many of his ancestors.
Harold was a lifelong baseball fan. Following his return from WWII he joined the fledgling Braham baseball town team in the late 1940s, playing with them through their glory days of winning the Minnesota State Class B Championship in 1957. Harold was a pitcher, outfielder, and solid hitter.
He enjoyed fishing, golfing, traveling, visiting with anyone and everyone, and most of all, playing with his grandchildren.
Harold was a gentle soul who walked humbly with the Lord. His lifelong faith and unwavering belief in the eternal were part of the fabric of his life.
Harold and Jean lived for over 50 years in the home that they built in 1956, just south of Braham. In 2007, they moved to Mill Ridge Apartments in Cambridge.
Harold passed away on November 30, 2013. He is preceded in death by his parents, L.A. (Albin) and Nancy Forsberg, his brother Floyd Forsberg, and his sister Ruby Oberg.
Harold is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean Forsberg. He is also survived by son, Gary Forsberg (Dawn) of Plymouth, Minn.; son, Ronald Forsberg (Laura) of Sandpoint, Idaho; daughter, Nancy Dorman (Jeff) of Centerville, Minn.; and son, Steven Forsberg (Roxane) of Plymouth, Minn. His six grandchildren are David and Julie Forsberg, Sarah and Amy Dorman, and Thomas and Michael Forsberg.
The funeral service was held Thursday, December 5, 2013 at the Braham Covenant Church in Braham, Minn. Burial was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Rock-Ingebrand of Braham.

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Robert F. Pa Peterson, West Concord, Minn., passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013.

Robert Bob Peterson was born Feb. 16, 1927 in Spencer Brook Township near Princeton, Minn. to Fred and Minnie Peterson. Bob grew up on the family farm with his parents, six sisters and one brother. He attended country school through the eighth grade while working on and off the family farm. At the age of 17, Bob joined the Navy and served for 18 months in the South Pacific during World War II.

After honorable discharge from the Navy, Bob returned to Minnesota and worked on the ore ships before heading to Faribault, Minn. In Faribault while working on a farm, he met beautiful, spirited young women, Elaine Genevieve Chavie. Elaine captured his heart and they were married in Faribault on Aug. 9, 1950. The young couple started farming and a family in Walcott Township, Faribault, Minn. They later moved to a farm near Lake Mazaska and continued farming. Bob farmed, milked cows, raised hogs and chickens. In 1959, Bob and Elaine moved the family to rural West Concord, Minn. Bob started working construction, specifically as a back hoe operator on pipeline crews that took him to jobs in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Missouri and eventually to California and Arizona.

Bob was not a stranger to hard work. At a young age, he worked off the farm to help bring in income and continued his hard work well into retirement by scrapping iron, taking down silos, cutting down trees and operating his back hoe and his dozer. Bob not only operated the equipment, but could fix and repair as well.Many of these talents he passed on to his children; teaching them to be resourceful and independent. Bob loved the outdoors including hunting, especially the deer seasons with his sons, grandsons, granddaughters and great-granddaughter. He always had a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye. He was known as Pa to not only his family but a community.

Bob is survived by six sons: Steve Peterson of Cambridge, Minn.; Fred (Becky) Peterson Kenyon, Minn.; Larry (Bea) Peterson, Cambridge, Minn.; Mark (Nikki) Peterson, Nerstrand, Minn.; Scott (Jean) Peterson, Wanamingo, Minn.; John Peterson Wanamingo, Minn.; and seven daughters: Joyce (Vinnie) Rauk, Nerstrand, Minn.; Cindy Meyer, Kenyon, Minn.; Jane Starch (Bob Ryan), Owatonna, Minn.; Julie (Ray) Greseth, Wanamingo, Minn.; Eileen (Scott) Germundson, Wanamingo, Minn.; Laura (Bryan) Haugen, Kenyon Minn.; Peggy Burrow (Brandon Peterson), Wanamingo, Minn.; two sisters: Dorothy Wohlfiel of California and Laura (Rollie) Nelson, New Brighton, Minn.; special friend, Vernetta Bieniek. Bob is also survived by 44 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, sister-in-laws, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews and dear friends too numerous to name.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine Peterson in 1998; daughter Annette Engel; grandson Matthew Greseth and Jason Meyer; son-in-laws Tim Meyer, Dean Burrow and David (Red) Meyer; his parents; one brother and four sisters.

Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home in Kenyon on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. and at St. Michaels Catholic Church on Friday from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, Dec. 13, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church. Interment will be in the St. Michaels Catholic Cemetery in Kenyon.
Arrangements with Michaelson Funeral Homes, Kenyon, Minn.

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Dana Larson, 92, of Cambridge, died December 9, 2013 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 at First Baptist Church in Cambridge with Rev. Earl Lassen officiating.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday. Full notice next edition and also available at strikefuneral.com.

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Dana Mason Larson, career missionary with his wife Ruth (Rask) in both India and Argentina passed away Monday, December 9, 2013 at GracePointe, Cambridge. Dana and his large family were periodic residents in Isanti County while on leave during their years of service abroad, and later retired to live in the Cambridge area.

Dana was born May 29, 1921 in Akron, Ohio, the son of Swedish immigrants, Axel and Christine Larson. He had an older sister, Louise, who predeceased him. Encounters at revivals and youth camp led him to lasting Christian faith. Though possessing creative flair and a keen mind he gave up ambitions in civil engineering for a calling to Christian ministry leading to theological studies at Bethel Seminary. There he met and married Ruth Rask of Isanti.

They set sail with infant son, Jonathan, in late 1947 arriving in India as Gandhis assassination shook the country. They lived as pioneer workers for 20 years when eight more children were born, Timothy, Bette, Mark (died in infancy), Martha (deceased of cancer), Sara, Andrew, Samuel and Stephen all of whom attended public schools in Isanti and Cambridge.
Dana excelled in mastering language and culture, living close to the people he came to serve. A voracious and disciplined reader of the Scriptures he came to see the greater work of the Spirit as the real mission story, though he left India in 1967 harboring misgivings about the effectiveness of his own work.

But the ardor of his early call having reasserted itself, Dana and Ruth accepted an assignment to NW Argentina in 1968. While on their southbound journey, they discovered that their youngest son, Stephen, suffered a harrowing brush with kidney cancer, an illness he miraculously survived.
Dana and the family spent 18 years in settlements along the eastern slopes of the Andes where Dana was popularly known as Senor Biblia, Mr. Bible, for encouraging a largely Catholic society to rediscover the Scriptures. They retired in September 1987 when they returned to Minnesota.

In 1993 Dana and Ruth revisited the communities they had first served in India where they were greeted by great throngs and learned of the many churches that sprang from what had seemed like fruitless efforts.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, seven children, 20 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two nephews David and Dale Henry of Ohio, and a niece, Fern Spurlock of California. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Martha Thomsen; a son, Mark; and grandsons Joel Dean and Colin Larson.

Funeral services were held Friday, December 13, 2013 at First Baptist Church in Cambridge with Rev. Bob Jonsson and Rev. Earl Lassen officiating. Carlotta Lund served as pianist. Pallbearers were Daniel, Grace, Lizzie, Tessa and Wesley Larson and Dylan Mohs. Interment was in Isanti Union Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Strike Funeral Homes.

Cynthia J. McCormack, 47, of Isanti died suddenly December 12, 2013 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Cynthia Jean McCormack was born Feb. 6, 1966 in Chicago to Medill and Shirley (McKeown) McCormack. She was raised and attended school in Chicago. When she was in her 20s she moved to the Isanti area where she has lived ever since. Cynthia loved spending time with her fiance;e, family and friends. She was looking forward to going to California and getting married and seeing the ocean. She was a NASCAR fan and was able to go to races in Michigan and Kansas. She enjoyed life and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her fiancee, Jon Olson of Isanti; step children, Cory (Sara) Olson, and Lonna Olson; step-grandchildren; Kenny, Briana, Jonathan, Skyler, Logun, Eva; sister, Patricia Martinez of Hastings; brother, Michael (Cathy) McCormack of St. Paul Park; best friend, Patty Malecek of Isanti; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Henry.

A visitation to celebrate and honor her life was held Monday, Dec. 16 at Strike Funeral Home Isanti Chapel.

John Samuel Carlson, 98 of Cambridge, Minn., was granted his wish to go to heaven to be with Jesus Saturday, December 14, 2013.

John was born to Anna and Gotfrid Carlson of Maple Ridge, Minn. Nov. 29, 1915, the youngest of 10 children. His parents had emigrated from Sweden in 1902. John attended country school in Maple Ridge but had to leave his formal education aspirations and take over his parents farm due to his fathers illness and death.

John met Annette Ruth Vegsund at Stanchfield Baptist Church and they were married March 23, 1940 at the Gospel Hall in North Minneapolis. Three children were born and lovingly raised by John and Annette, Lee, Paulette, and Sheldon.

For a short time John and Annette lived in Maple Ridge but soon purchased and operated a farm east of Stanchfield. During that time they suffered the devastating complete loss of their home by fire, but soon rebuilt a new brick home. They moved to Braham in 1947 after purchasing what became the Carlson Furniture and Appliance Store. They added a bulk petroleum business in 1954 and also purchased the Braham Oil Company providing fuel for a great part of east central Minnesota. In 1967 they purchased the Lewis Department Store in Cambridge and later purchased the Inn Town Apartments. They moved to Cambridge in 1974 and later built a home there. January 27, 2001, Johns life changed dramatically with the death of his loving wife and partner, Annette.

During the last few years John has lived at the Mill Ridge Apartments and GracePointe Commons.
John was a very active member of the Braham Business Community. He was a part of the Braham Civic and Commerce promoting the Braham Community, served on the Braham City Council starting in 1957, and was elected the Mayor of Braham. John was one of the founders of Grandview Christian Home in Cambridge and served on their Board and as President for several years. John is listed in the Whos Who in the 1969 History of Minnesota.

John loved the Lord and served him as a strong leader in the Stanchfield Baptist Church where he had been a member for 84 years. He served on the Deacon Board and as Vice Chairman. He was a Bible Study Teacher for over 50 years and started the radio ministry of the church, which continues to this day. John was a member of the Gideons since 1955 often speaking at Churches in the area and also served as President of the Minnesota Baptist Brotherhood Association. Always a strong support of his pastors, at the age of 80, John went with Pastor Dale Cope on a mission trip to Russia.

John and Annette worked together in their stores and enjoyed their large community of friends and family. They enjoyed traveling to Europe, Sweden and Norway, visiting their former exchange student, Yrjo Salorinne, in Finland, and frequent trips to visit Johns family in California and Florida. Their summer cabin in Northern Minnesota became a place of respite and family fun. John water skied there into his 80s.

John was preceded in death by his parents, all nine siblings: Helfrid, Linnea, Magnhild, Gunhild, David, Paul, Gunnard, Margaret, and Helga, and his loving wife, Annette, and son-in-law, Conrad Nelson. He is survived by son Lee (Fern) of Andover and children Becky (Dave) Johnson, and Brent (Heather) Carlson, daughter Paulette Nelson of Stanchfield and children Ryan (Rebecca) Nelson, and Kristina (Joshua) Kirsch, and son Sheldon (Anne) of Milaca and children April, Skip, Casey (Josh) Ewert, Jesse (Jennifer), and Brooke. He leaves 11 great-grandchildren, Emily, Linnea, Jacob, Matthew, Anna Grace, Kyla, Madeline, Andrew John, Noah, Juliet, and baby boy Ewert. John will be dearly missed by a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at Stanchfield Baptist Church on Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. with visitation prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Arrangements are with Roberts Family Funeral Home of Forest Lake, Minn. You may give Johns family online condolences on the funeral homes website: RobertsFamilyFH.com

Joyce Ann Brooke, 80, of Cambridge, formerly of Braham, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2013 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Joyce is preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Mildred (Dennis) Law; husband Remi J. Brooke; and half-sister Diane Kathman.
She is survived by her children, Remi (Claudia) of Grand Forks, N.D.; Bill of Chisago; Greg (Chris Campion) of Ramsey; Andy of Spring Lake Park; Mary Stassen of Mora; and Phil (Debra Harms) of Braham; 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; half-brother Lloyd (Mimi) Law of Minnetonka; brother-in-law Dave Kathman of Colorado; many other relatives and friends.
A Funeral Service was held Thursday, December 19, 2013 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Braham with Father Donald Wagner officiating. Music was provided by Joni Nelson. Casket Bearers were Joyces six children. Interment was at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Braham.

Irwin E. Laughton, 75, Cambridge, formerly of Hibbing (Kelly Lake) and Crosby died Thursday, December 26, 2013 in Cambridge, MN. He was born on March 17, 1938 to Linza and Rovilla (Grandy) Laughton in Crosby, MN. After graduating from the Crosby High School, Irwin proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in December of 1963. He moved to the Hibbing area in 1965, and raised his family in Kelly Lake, MN. He was employed with Butler Brothers Mine and later National Steel as a maintenance mechanic. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 8510 of Hibbing, the Hibbing DAV, the American Legion, and the North American Fishing Club. Irwin was an avid outdoorsmen, and loved going to the casino.
He is survived by his daughter, Joan Laughton, granddaughter, Taylor Laughton, and a special niece, Carol (Mark) Gehrke, all of Isanti, MN., and other in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Laughton in 2006, his parents, Linza and Rovilla (Grandy) Laughton, 2 infant daughters, his brother, Sonny Laughton, and three sisters, Florence, Violet, and Marion.
Funeral services for Irwin will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. President John Holt will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home on Saturday. Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing. Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.
To sign Irwins guestbook online, please visit us at www.doughertyofhibbing.com

Janice L. Wendberg, 76, of Dalbo passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West.
Janice was born September 12, 1937 in Backoo, North Dakota to Norval and Violet (Schrader) Quam. She grew up in Backoo, ND on the family farm. She graduated from Cavalier High School in 1955. During her time in Cavalier she worked at the gas company until she was 18 and then moved to Hopkins to work at Super Valu. While in Hopkins, she met Joel Wendberg.
On November 11, 1961, she was united in marriage to Joel at the Salem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. They would build a home in Dalbo and raise their three children.
Janice worked various jobs including the Dalbo Cheese Factory, Control Data, Blue Fox Tackle, the Dalbo Store, and ECM Publishing in Princeton. She was a longtime member of Salem Lutheran Church of Dalbo. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, camping, and attending classic country music events. She and Joel spent time in Texas and celebrated their 25th Anniversary in Switzerland. Janice was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and enjoyed caring for her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Duane Quam. Janice is survived by her husband Joel Wendberg of Dalbo; children Brad (Victoria) Wendberg of Dalbo, Pam (Lyle) Erickson of Cambridge and Jason (Aimee) Wendberg of Stanchfield; three grandchildren Ryan and Aaron Erickson, Brandon Wendberg; one great granddaughter Addison Erickson; sisters Elaine (Melvin) Lembke of Neche, ND, Verdell (Edgar) Stegman of Thermopolis, WY, Lois (Randy) Sott of Grand Forks, ND, and sister-in-law Faye Quam of Grand Forks; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services were held at 11AM, Saturday, December 28, 2013 at Salem Lutheran Church in Dalbo. Interment was in Dalbo Baptist Cemetery. Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com. Arrangements were with the Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Cambridge.

Maynard Leonard Lucht, of Braham, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2013 at GracePointe Crossing West Gables in Cambridge. He was 89 years old.
Survived by wife Margaret of Braham; son Scott (Lisa) of Braham; daughter Roxann (Henry) Gutzkow of Grasston; grandchildren Dallas, Ashley (Ryan), Jared (Nichole), Alyssa, and Justin; sister-in-law Adela Lucht of Glencoe; many other relatives and friends.
A funeral was held on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Braham with Rev. Steve Anderson officiating. Casket Bearers were Roger Anderson, Mike Lucht, Laurel Lucht, Jody Kahlow Mitch Kahlow, Milo Sandeen, and Dave Sandeen. Interment was in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

Louis Paul Crawford Tinker, 76, of Bradford, MN passed away peacefully on December 25, 2013 Christmas Day at his home in Bradford, with his family at his side. Tinker struggled with shingles for the past year then was diagnosed with lung cancer November 2, 2013 which ultimately lead to pneumonia. Tinker fought hard to overcome his illness, he was never a quitter. We did not expect this to take him from us. Sadly it did.
Tinker was born November 2, 1937 in St.Paul, MN to Martin Ducky and Katherine Crawford. They lived in White Bear Lake, MN and then moved to Cambridge, MN in 1947 where he attended Cambridge High School.
Tinker had many interests. He owned a construction company specializing in excavating and owned and operated an Auto Parts Pro Store in Isanti. Tinker loved his classic cars and had many.
Tinker was a passionate man with all that he did. He was a great friend that would do anything for you and be there for you know matter what, (while telling you how he felt and what to do). He was a dad that always took care of his kids and made sure they were able to do and be all that they wanted. He was a devoted husband and caregiver. He was a big brother and uncle who always gave his wisdom and advice, and he was a proud Grandpama that taught them his humor and shared his life experiences with them while being their biggest fan.
Tinker had his own language and he shared it with all that knew him and eventually most of us were all renamed with our own special nickname.
Tinker was preceded in death by parents, Martin Ducky and Katherine Crawford, brothers; Martin Bic Jr. and Lige Willy Crawford, George Uncle Sam Crawford, and son Todd Crawford.
Tinker is survived by wife Sandra Missy Crawford, daughter Tammy and Doc Thronson – Bradford, grandchildren Jade Jademahooey and Raynee Rayneema Thronson, sister Annie Roni Larson – Cambridge, sister in law Lola Crash Crawford Cambridge, brother Eddy Swede and Eileen Leeno Crawford – Cambridge, brother Alan Rastus and Mary Crawford – International Falls, special nephews Brian “BC” Crawford and Charlie “Charlie Blucose” Crawford, very special friends Jim Big Jim and Wendy (tinkers Idol) Englund Bradford, many special nieces and nephews, and many many good friends and special neighbors and relatives.
Tinker made a great impact on our worldhe will be missed.
Funeral services were held Monday, December 30th at Long Lake Lutheran Church with Rev. Matt Flom officiating. Doc Thronson, Dave Thronson and Nathan Thronson served as musicians. Pallbearers were Jim Englund “Big Jim”, Brian Crawford “BC”, Larry Polski “Polcat”, Mark Schneppmueller “Guido”, Bill Thronson, Jeff Frovarp “Jiff”, Ron Pawlenty “The Pawlenty Guy” and Doc Thronson. Honorary pallbearers were Charlie Crawford “Charlie Blucose”, Lige Crawford “Hootman”, Jeff Egelkraut “Otto”, Kurt Koroschetz “Klausetto” , Tom Wilcox, Dan Skrypek, Jay Winger Wingnut, Clayton Koskela, David Thronson, Nathan Thronson, Richard Baxter and Robert Baxter. Interment was in Long Lake Community Cemetery. Arrangements were with Strike Funeral Homes.

Connie, Nelson, 71 went to be with her heavenly father December, 23, 2013.
Connie drove bus for Zion Lutheran Church School, Crown, MN, then worked at Fingerhut in Mora for 20 years, retired from there and was a helper for her daughters daycare for 2 years.
She loved cooking & baking, singing karaoke and spending time with Doug and her family. She had a big heart and a very caring spirit and loved to visit with everyone and anyone she met.
She was a wonderful wife/ life partner, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was preceded in death by husband Vince Nelson; parents, Conrad Gjednes, LaVerne Ley; brother, Donald Gjednes.
She is survived by her life partner, Doug Johnson; daughters, Shari Hass (Jeff), Carla (Tom) Shackelton (Juntti); son, Steven Hass; step-children, Daniel Nelson (Sarah), Michelle Guderjohn (Mike), Matthew Nelson (Connie); sister, LaVonne (Norm) Carlson; step-brothers, Ken (Barbara) Ley, Jeff (Carol) Ley, Tim (Laurel) Ley; grandchildren, Joshua Hass, Destiny Juntti, Carissa Juntti, Jeremy, Kyle and Colby Nelson, Kayla, Kimmy and Nicole Guderjohn, Cassidy and Jacob Nelson; great-grandchild Blaiz Juntti Reed and great-granddaughter Amara, on the way; David Hass (father of her children) and many more friends and relatives.
Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 4, 2013 at 3pm, visitation is 1 hour prior to service, at River Valley Christian Church in Grandy, MN. The address is 37126 Hwy 65 NE, Stanchfield, MN 55080.

Robert B. Theis, son of Joseph and Lucy Theis of Foley and then Mora, MN, was born on April 2, 1933.  With a race to run and a mission to accomplish, he did it well until the night of December 28, 2013, at the age of 80, when he just couldn’t run anymore.  Though his movements were slower in his later years, Bob’s determination for living a good life remained strong and true.

Bob was passionate about so many, many things.  He treated life as a gift, one to be shared and one to be embraced.  When he took hold of a task, he did so with unimaginable skill and determination, juggling schedules with humor and quickness.  So much to do, but only so much time to do it.  His mantra was, “Give 100 percent and that might not even be enough.”

After graduating from Mora High School in 1951, he entered college at North Dakota State University on a football scholarship.  His college football career ended abruptly when he sustained an injury.  This led him to enlist in the Air Force.  As a Staff Sergeant in Panama during the Korean Conflict, he was a radio operator and taught swimming to the children of the officers on base in his free time.

Coming home on the G.I. bill, he enrolled in St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, from which he graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor’s degree.  It was there that he met the love of his life, Della Pauly Theis, to whom he was married for 53 years.

Bob’s first teaching assignment was in Holdingford, MN, followed by years in Thorton Township High School in Chicago, IL; Mora, MN; Stuttgart, Germany; and finally with the Cambridge-Isanti School District, where he taught history and social studies from 1967 to his retirement in 1993.  He loved teaching with a passion.  He was named Teacher of the Year in 1986 by Cambridge-Isanti School District 911 and Minnesota Excellence Teacher of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Education.

While at Cambridge High School, Bob was the Jr. Class Advisor; coached football, basketball, and golf; refereed for football, basketball, and softball; was statistician for the varsity football team; the Foreign Exchange Advisor; and started a sister-school exchange program with Taikyu High School in Yuasa, Japan from 1984-1993, which is still going strong today.  He also started the Cambridge – Yuasa, Japan sister city program from 1986-present.  He supervised many student and adult trips to Japan, and a group of students to Germany in 1970 and 1972.  He taught water instruction for over 35 years.

Bob was known for his humor, generosity, perseverance, always being on the move and for never looking back – only forward.  Another favorite phrase was “Do what you have to do!”  His love of his community showed through his selfless service to the American Legion Post 290, where he was Commander from 1994-95, Americanism Chairman (1968-present), Color Guard (1993-present), Chaplain (1996-present), and on the Legion Executive Board.  He was Treasurer and past President of the Knights of Columbus; and for his many roles as lector, communion distributor, shut-in communion distributor, religious instructor for 12 years, member of church council where he served as President for three years, he was awarded the Diocese of St. Cloud’s Medal of Merit and Christ the King Award in 1983.

His devotion to the community continued with the service to the Red Cross; as Isanti County Water Safety Director for 15 years; Chairman for the Isanti County Public Health; Isanti County Historical Society; as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels; and the Li’l Farm Children’s Home.  He was a sports writer for local county newspapers (1968-2013).  Because of this, he was inducted in the Jacket Hoop Boosters “Hall of Fame” in 2002 and was honored with the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association “Publicity Award” for promoting wrestling in 2006.

Bob is survived by his wife Della of Cambridge, MN; two children, Ann (Hiro) Watanabe of Eden Prairie, MN; and Peter Theis of Cambridge, MN; five grandchildren – Ellie, Jonah, Zoe, Grace, and Madeline; twin brother Dick (Fran) Theis of Salem, OR, sister-in-law Ardis Theis of AZ, and his beloved dog Max

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Friday, January 3, 2014 at Christ The King Catholic Church (230 Fern St. N., Cambridge).  Visitation 4:00 – 7:00 pm, with a memorial prayer service at 6:30 on Thursday, January 2, 2014 at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home (311 S. Ashland St., Cambridge) 763-689-2244, and also one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Online condolences at www.carlsonlillemoen.com  Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers to the Li’l Farm Children’s Home or the Dan Rudd-Bob Theis Scholarship through Fund via American Legion Post 290. On a winter’s night, he went…to follow the light.

Marian E. Anderson passed away on December 27, 2013 in Crosslake, MN at the age of 96 and is now sharing her stories with the angels. Services for Marian will be held on Friday, January 3, 2014 at 1:00PM at Crosslake Lutheran Church with Pastor Greg Larsen officiating with visitation one hour prior to services at the church.
Marian was born on April 18, 1917 in Sandstone, MN to Christine (Sundberg) and Andrew J. Lindgren and was the seventh of eight children. When her mother passed away in 1920, the family moved to Dalbo, MN where her father farmed. Marian attended grade school in Dalbo and graduated from Washburn High School in Minneapolis in 1935. In 1941, Marian married Chester Anderson, also from Dalbo, in Los Angeles, CA. With the start of World War II, Chester went into the Army and Marian returned to Minnesota. In 1949, Marian and Chester moved to North Dakota and settled in Mayville where they owned and operated Andersons Jewelry until their retirement in 1979. Marian was the store manager and also ran her own seamstress business. In 1987 Marian and Chester moved to Cambridge, MN to be closer to family. Chester passed away in 2005 and Marian later moved to Crosslake, MN. In 2001, she became an assisted living resident at Golden Horizons.
Marian was a member of the United Church of Christ in Mayville where she taught Sunday School and was an active member of the Ladies Aid. She was also a volunteer at the Luther Memorial Home in Mayville. Later she joined the Crosslake Lutheran Church where she participated in Knit Wits and Jul Fest preparations. She was very pleased to be presented with her troublemaker pin by her Jul Fest friends and wore the pin and nickname proudly. Marian enjoyed a variety of activities including gardening, sewing, knitting, swimming, traveling, doing crossword puzzles and spending time with friends and relatives. She was always cheerful, kind to everyone and grateful for all she had.
Marian is survived by her children, Ed (Diane) of Crosslake, Steve (Jan) of Crosslake, and Jan (Daryl) Severs of Dennison, MN; grandchildren, Marie (Jakob) Anderson of St. Paul, Patrick (Kari) Anderson of Woodbridge, VA, Matthew (Elena) Anderson of Panama City, Panama, Christine (Ryan) Anderson of Brandon, MS, Jon Severs of Northfield, MN, Michael (Brandi) Severs of Ames, IA, and Jessica Severs of Dennison; step-grandchildren, Jeff Corl of Round Rock, TX, Kim Wodrich of Pflugerville, TX, and Brad (Melissa) Corl of Martindale, TX; great-grandchildren, Anna Anderson, Elizabeth Anderson, Oliver Severs, Raeh Corl, Matthew Corl, Chloe Wodrich, and Blake Wodrich; sister-in-law, Marion Anderson of Ogilve, MN; many nieces and nephews; and her close friend, Morry Mikkelson who was also a resident of Golden Horizons. Lastly, by her cat, Goofus of Crosslake. She was preceded in death by her husband, Chester; parents; brothers, sisters, and in-laws, Arthur (Ellen) Lindgren, Clarence (Glenny) Lindgren, Myrtle (Levi) McKinney, George (Alice) Lindgren, Mabel (Clifford) Lundin, Vivian (Paul) Hornquist Gore, Lillian (Harold) Leppke, George (Frieda) Anderson, Paul (Mable) Anderson, Howard (Margaret) Anderson, Harvey (Ruth) Anderson, Burton Anderson, Verna (Einar) Moen, and June (Dwayne) Stillman. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake, MN.
Please visit www.brenny.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Marians family.
Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation Services

Dorothy June Tomlinson, 83, of Braham, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013 at her home at Elmhurst Commons in Braham.
She is survived by her sons, Timothy (Rosemarie) of Mora and David (Kathleen) of Braham; daughter, Marsha (Mark) Metzler of Winona; grandchildren, James (Brandy) Franson, Timothy, Molly, Andrew, Jacob, Sara, Kate; great grandsons, Evan and Alex Franson; sisters, Gloria (Vernon) Hattenberger of Circle Pines, and Luella Olean of San Francisco, Calif.; brother, Alvin Bud (Donna) Olean of Carlton; brother-in-law, Ledger J. Tordoff of Verona, Wis.; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A Funeral Service was held Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Braham Evangelical Lutheran Church with Rev. Rich Chronis officiating. Music was provided by Rich Chronis and June Butler. Casket Bearers were Mike Londgren, Bob Olean, Dennis Hattenberger and Dan Berglund. Interment was in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

Sherry Bockoven, 59, of Isanti, died January 2, 2014 at GracePointe Crossing Gables West in Cambridge.
Sherry was born in Rush City, Minn. on Feb. 21, 1954 to Kenneth and Virginia Loren (Hensch). She grew up in Grandy, Minn. and in 1953 moved to Champlain, Minn. and graduated from Anoka High School.
She was a house wife, waitress, cook, pull tab lady and an awesome mother of six. Sherry had been an active person in Isanti and surrounding the communities for many years. In 1986, she started working for the Rum River VFW Post 2735 in Isanti. She was a life time member for the posts Ladies Auxiliary and she had served as Sr. VP. Sherry was also an active participant for the color guard. Sherry loved crocheting, puzzles, playing pool, and all her friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Loren; daughter, Kathy; son, Kenneth Brown.
Sherry is survived by her mother, Virginia; sister, Roxanne; brother, James; daughter, April; sons, William, Harry and Jason; 14 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014 at Strike Funeral Home Isanti Chapel with Rev. Earl Lassen officiating. A visiting time will be one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Eleanor Victoria Julien Bondeson, 94, of Braham, passed away with family by her side on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at the Buffalo Hospital.
Eleanor was born June 13, 1919, in Stanchfield Township, Minnesota, to Emil and Hilma (Paulson) Julien. She had an older brother, Elvert, who was born in 1914. Eleanor was baptized and confirmed in the Braham Mission Covenant Church and graduated as salutatorian from Braham High School in 1936 at the age of 16.
Eleanor completed a secretarial program at the Minneapolis Business College in the fall of 1936. She was employed at F.O.K.s in St. Paul where she lived and worked until December 1940 when she moved to Turlock, California, where she worked as a legal secretary. Her favorite past time had been and continued to be roller skating, and on Feb. 28, 1941 she met the love of her life. Her diary reads, Tonight was opening night at the Turlock Rollerdrome. I met a nice fellow by the name of Oke Bondeson. Hes a swell skater and we had a grand time.
Eleanor and Oke were married Oct. 17, 1942, at the Covenant Church in Braham. The war had started and they both worked for Northwestern Aeronautical at the airport in Minneapolis and then with the same company at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The war brought them back to California to Okes draft board area and then to Fort Warren at Cheyenne, Wyo., where Eleanor continued to work as secretary to the Commanding General of the Army Hospital for two years while Oke was overseas in the Philippines and New Guinea.
After the war they returned to Minnesota and bought a farm just south of Braham and settled into their permanent home. Until their first child, Diane, was born, Eleanor worked as secretary for the Braham Schools. Then came Lois and later, Dean. Eleanor returned to work in 1960 at Dahlmans where she spent 17 years.
Oke passed away in October 1977. Eleanor continued to live on the farm which she loved. She went back to work, first at the Rural American Bank of Braham, then Premier Products in Stanchfield and retired from Cambridge Metals and Plastic in 1989. She greatly enjoyed the busy-ness of retirement for many years running errands for Deans farming needs, grocery shopping to feed the farm helpers, time with friends, and coffee at the Park Cafe. In 2008, needing more assistance, Eleanor moved to St. Michael with Lois and Tom, however, much time was still spent in Braham and it was always her home.
She was a great cook and will be remembered for fried chicken, pot roast, divinity, chocolate chip cookies and more. Eleanor was active in the Covenant church, holding several offices over the years. She was active in the community, the PTA, the DFL, bowling and being busy as a wife, mother and career woman.
Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents; husband Oke; brother Elvert; nieces Barb (Julien) Griffith and Karin (Sanders) Landgrabe; nephew Michael Moore.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Bondeson of Anchorage, Alaska; daughter Lois (Tom) Hesselroth of St. Michael and son Dean (Jennifer) Bondeson of Stanchfield; one grandson, Ryan Gordon, formerly of Anchorage, now living at the farm in Braham; sister-in-law Dorie Julien of Holly Hill, Fla.; brother-in-law Kenneth Sanders of Pensacola, Fla.; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.
A Funeral Service was held Saturday, January 4, 2014 at the Braham Ev. Covenant Church with Rev. Steve Jennisch Officiating. Music was provided by Sharon Hohn, Vi Belkholm, and Tim Ronning. Casket Bearers were Mike Dennis, Jamie Sundermeyer, Doug Leaf, Steve Benji Leaf, Ritchie Ronning and Jimmy Kays. Interment was in the Braham Mission Covenant Cemetery.

Helen Buchanan Reitz, 92, of Cambridge succumbed to complications after a short illness on January 5, 2014. She was surrounded in love and prayer by her husband, 5 children and many grandchildren.
She was born July 7, 1921. Helen grew up in Graceville, Minn. and became a Registered Nurse (RN) at St. Marys Hospital, Rochester, Minn. She practiced nursing in Hanford, Wash., Watertown, Minn., St. Cloud, Minn. and St Benedicts School and Convent. Upon her retirement in 1986, she and her husband split their time between their lake home on Leech Lake and winter home in Mesa, Ariz. She had a love of life, for her family, her nursing profession and the outdoors. She was an avid fisherman, an excellent cook, a wonderful nurse, a loving wife and mother and a good friend to all who knew her. Helen lived her life with grace and dignity right up to her passing.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Leslie L. Reitz; son, Stephen (Madelyn) Reitz of Coronado, Calif.; daughters, Barbara (Bill) Smrekar of Cambridge, Minn., Marcia (Kendall) Lacey of Hovland, Minn., Nancy (Don) Giacchetti of Chanhassen, Minn. and Shelley (Bob) Plucker of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Kay Buchanan; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by brother, Murray; sister, Katherine; and granddaughter, Christi.
Memorial services were held Friday, Jan. 10 at Cambridge Lutheran Church with Rev. David Everett officiating. Memorials preferred for donation to the Harbor Room at Cambridge Medical Center. Arrangements were with Strike Funeral Home Cambridge Chapel.

Steven L. Sohlstrom, 45, of Dalbo, died January 7, 2014 at home.
Steven Larry Sohlstrom was born Nov. 12, 1968 in Fridley, Minn.to Larry and Judy (Fokken) Sohlstrom. When Steve was in the third grade their family moved to Dalbo. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1987. Steve then attended Anoka Technical College and Dunwoody Institute. On June 11, 2005 Steve was united in marriage to Trinette Kazeck at Salem Lutheran Church in Dalbo. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Vincent and Abigail. Steve loved being a dad and he cherished his kids. Steve planned a special family vacation to Yellowstone National Park this past summer. He was very involved at River of Life Church in Cambridge. Steve enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, going to the cabin and being with his family. He will be dearly missed.
Steve is survived by his wife, Trinette and children, Vincent and Abigail, of Dalbo; parents, Larry and Judy Sohlstrom of Dalbo; grandmother, Cleone Fokken of Milaca; two sisters, Vicky (David) Warren of Dalbo, and Sandy (Craig) Quale of Dalbo; by nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Alan Fokken and Vincent and Hazel Sohlstrom.
Funeral services were held Saturday, January 11, 2014 at Salem Lutheran Church in Dalbo with Rev. Mark Radeke and Rev. Sarah Bunge officiating. Pallbearers were Mike Beck, Nick Carlson, Troy Jochum, Nathan Kazeck, Craig Quale and Dave Warren. Interment was in Salem Lutheran Cemetery. Arrangements were with Strike Funeral Home Cambridge Chapel.

Helen May Proehl, 78, of Braham, Minn.; born October 22, 1935 in Todd County, Minn. Died peacefully January 6, 2014 in Cambridge, Minn.
Preceded in death by husband Clarence Proehl, parents Vance and Blanche Hunter, and siblings Florence Townsend, Vance Hunter, and Luella Beto.
Survived by children: Robert (Patricia) Proehl, Myron (Kim) Proehl, Lois (Jeff) Hill, Phyllis OClaire, Kristi Grose, and Barb Filiatrault; 18 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; sisters: Isabel Ladd, Hazel Apley, and Delores Anderson.
Helen was born and raised in rural Minnesota. She met Clarence Proehl in Minneapolis, and they married July 23, 1955. Together they raised six children, living first in Minneapolis, then in Braham, Minn. Starting in the early 1970s, Helen worked at the Cambridge State Hospital for 18 years. She enjoyed gardening and homemaking and was an active member of the Braham Evangelical Covenant Church. At the too-young age of 58, she began her long battle with Alzheimers disease. She has been lovingly cared for at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge, Minn., since 2002. In her death, she has passed from the grips of this disease into the loving arms of her Savior and has joined Clarence and many other family members in heaven. Those remaining miss her bright smile and easy laughter.
A Memorial Service was held at Braham Evg. Covenant Church on Saturday, January 11, 2014 with Rev. Bob DeYoung officiating. Music was provided by Vi Belkholm and John Swanson. Inurnment will be held in the spring at the Mission Covenant Cemetery in Braham.