Obits and Death Notices (2025)

Richard “Rick” Wade Flaws, age 51 of Merrifield, died due to complications of a stroke on June 19, 2024 at United Hospital in St. Paul. He was born March 2, 1973 in Grand Forks, ND to Richard and Twyla (Shellum) Flaws. Rick married Ann Tessmer on July 8, 2001 in Merrifield and they had two daughters.

Aug. 17, 1948 - June 19, 2024

Emilie (Pepper Morris) Fitch passed away May 28th, 2024, just six days before her 81st birthday.

Bernard H. “Butch” Lodin Jr., of Backus, MN, formerly of Moorhead, MN, passed away at home on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Joyce K. Potter, age 94 of New Ulm, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at her home at Ridgeway on German in New Ulm.

Curtis J Peterson (Curt) passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, surrounded by family and love.

May 1, 1946 - April 11, 2024 Charles Harlen Nelson, aka Chuck or Jr., age 77, formerly from Pine River, MN., passed away at his home in Winston, Oregon on April 11th. Charles is survived by his wife Irene, sons Kenneth (Sherri) and Keith (Dawn), seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His siblings Duane, John and Len Nelson, Monica Nieman, Twyla Smith, Jilayne Borman and their spouses. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Irene Nelson, first wife Beverly and grand daughter Madelynn.

Scotty Lynn Vargo, born on July 17, 1962, to Frank and Irene (Dibble) Vargo, passed away peacefully at his home on June 6, 2024, with his children by his side.

Roger Joseph Stacy passed away quietly in his Breezy Point home on June 4, 2024.

Marilyn Joyce Haglund, although in ill health, rallied to travel from Florida to her favorite place---her home in Crosslake, Minnesota. Shortly after arriving, surrounded by friends and family, she passed away at age 92 on May 30, 2024.

Jan. 15, 1955 - Jan. 14, 2024

Lisa Ann Mecklenberg was born looking for fun and adventure on July 12, 1966, the youngest of five children of Rodney and Carrie Ann Mecklenberg. On May 27, 2024, she died too young and with so much left to do after a fearless roller coaster battle with metastatic breast cancer.

Jill Marie (Luban) Freking, age 53 of Breezy Point, MN passed away in her home Sunday morning, May 26th, 2024, after a four year courageous battle with Breast Cancer.

Charlotte Gibbons, our beautiful, loving, faith-filled mom, joined her heavenly Father on January 30, 2024, at the age of 89 years. A mass at Immaculate Heart in Crosslake, Minnesota will be held Saturday, June 15th at 11 a.m. with Visitation beginning at 10 am. Everyone is invited to a Celebration of Life at Charlotte’s home from 1-3p.m. In lieu of memorials and in honor of Charlotte, we ask you to commit a random act of kindness. Know that in doing so, Charlotte will be smiling upon you. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.

Charlotte Gibbons, our beautiful, loving, faith-filled mom, joined her heavenly Father on January 30, 2024, at the age of 89 years. A mass at Immaculate Heart in Crosslake, Minnesota will be held Saturday, June 15th at 11 a.m. with Visitation beginning at 10 am. Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to a Celebration of Life at Charlotte’s home. In lieu of memorials and in honor of Charlotte, we ask you to commit a random act of kindness. Know that in doing so, Charlotte will be smiling upon you. Arrangements have been entrusted with Brenny Family Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.

Joan A. (Andert) Held-Benson, age 85, of Nisswa (formerly Sartell), MN, passed away peacefully with family at her side on May 16, 2024.

Lois Steffen played her final winning bridge hand on May 7th and passed away on May 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Besides being a Bridge Life Master, she was a fine swimmer, water skier, snow skier, avid reader and world traveler.

In the early hours of Tuesday, April 16th, Gene Walters Jr., the self-proclaimed invincible man, was humbled with his first experience in 63 years of being proven wrong (a dash of solace to his children that have never won an argument with him).

Sept. 13, 1956 - May 9, 2024

December 5, 1942 - April 11, 2024 Ed grew up in Sauk Rapids, MN spent most life in Maple Grove, MN, with his family as well as lake home in Crosslake, MN. Him and wife Bev became Snowbirds and spent a few years wintering in AZ. Ed loved to spend his time cooking, hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his Grandsons and Grand-Puppies. He is survived by many friends and family including: Sons: Mike Callahan (Vicki), Brian Callahan (Jodi), Grandsons: Logan Callahan, Mason Callahan & Connor Callahan, Sister: Sandy Machula (Lynn). We will be celebrating the life of Ed Callahan on Saturday May 25, 2024, from 1-4 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sauk Rapids, MN.