Obituaries

Wayne Schmitt

Wayne Schmitt

Jan 3, 2025

On December 29, 1939 Wayne Elmer Schmitt came into this world on the family farm in Pottawattamie County Iowa, just outside the village of Hancock, Iowa. He started his education in a one room schoolhouse 2 miles from home. He attended 4th-11th grade at the Hancock School, and graduated from Avoca High School in Avoca, Iowa.

Wayne loved to learn and...

Michael B. Johnson

Michael B. Johnson

Jan 2, 2025

Michael Boyd Johnson, age 79, of Harris, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Michael was born on March 14, 1945, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the cherished only child of Boyd and Dolores (Wallraff) Johnson.

Raised in Shoreview, Minnesota, Michael graduated from Cretin High School, Class of 1963. He later pursued his passion for electricity, becoming an electrician and...

Daniel Joseph Bialon

Daniel Joseph Bialon

Dec 30, 2024

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Daniel Bialon, beloved father, husband, brother, and grandfather, on December 30th at the age of 79. He passed away peacefully at home while surrounded by family.

Survived by wife, Angie; daughters, Allie Bialon, Michaele Bialon; siblings, Dick (Barb) Bialon, Barb (Jim) Strilich, Rob (Marianne) Bialon; grandchildren, Hudson & Pascale; cousins,...

Michael J. Schwantes

Michael J. Schwantes

Dec 28, 2024

Michael "Mike" Schwantes

Age 80, of St. Paul, MN, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 28, 2024, surrounded by those who loved him.

Mike was a man of many talents and a kind soul who touched the lives of all who knew him. A skilled mechanic, he could fix just about anything that came his way. His passion for working with his...

Eugene R. Hansen

Eugene R. Hansen

Dec 23, 2024

Eugene Richard Hansen, age 91, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2024. Born on January 15, 1933, in Divide County, North Dakota, he was the son of Arnold and Agnes (Nelson) Hansen.

Eugene's early years were spent in North Dakota. When crop failures forced the sale of the family farm, Eugene's parents moved their family to Hunky...

Scott R. Atwater

Scott R. Atwater

Dec 22, 2024

Scott Robert Atwater, age 62, of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 22, 2024. Born on January 16, 1962, in Chisago City, Minnesota, Scott was the beloved son of Vernon and Janet (Swenson) Atwater.

A proud graduate of Chisago Lakes High School, Scott went on to dedicate his career to Gear Grid, where he worked as a powder...

Vona C. Erickson

Vona C. Erickson

Dec 18, 2024

Vona Coral Erickson, age 73, of Ham Lake, Minnesota, died Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Vona had a huge loving heart for all her family and friends. She loved her time with each and everyone of them. From her time playing cards, to cake and cookie making, to her arts and crafts with the grandkids, each moment was filled with love....

Rhoda A. Needham

Rhoda A. Needham

Dec 15, 2024

Rhoda Anne Needham, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on December 15, 2024, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 75 years old.

Born on January 1, 1949, to William and Lucia Hession, Rhoda was a true New Year's gift to her family. Growing up in Lafayette, Indiana, she was a...

Margaret Gallagher

Margaret Gallagher

Dec 13, 2024

Margaret "Mugs" Gallagher, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 13, 2024. Born April 27, 1927, Margaret lived a life full of love, laughter, and devotion to her family. She was 97 years old. Margaret’s life took a pivotal turn when she met Charlie Gallagher, the love of her life. They were united in marriage...

Shirley C. Nerud

Shirley C. Nerud

Dec 10, 2024

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Shirley Carol Gilcher was born on April 30th, 1944, the daughter of Louis August Gilcher and Marcella (Benke) Gilcher. She was baptized into the family of believers and received the gift of eternal life on May 21st, 1944...

Dori Case

Dori Case

Dec 10, 2024

Dori Ann Case, age 64, of Woodbury, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, while on her morning walk.

Born on April 10, 1960, in Chisago City, Minnesota, Dori was the daughter of William and Bonnie (Nygren) Osterbauer. Dori attended grade school at St. Peter’s Catholic School, Forest Lake. She was a proud graduate of Forest Lake High School,...

Marie Corwin

Marie Corwin

Dec 9, 2024

Marie L. Corwin, age 82, of Forest Lake, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Marie was a devoted wife, mother, and friend whose life was filled with love and laughter. She was known for her warm heart and extraordinary talents in the kitchen. Her Swedish meatballs, dill pickles, and Christmas cookies were family favorites, and...

Sandra K.  Benz

Sandra K. Benz

Dec 8, 2024

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8

Sandi Benz, a vibrant and loving soul who radiated warmth, joy, and kindness to all who knew her, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Sandi was a woman who truly understood the power of love and laughter. With a heart full...

Marlys A. Carlson

Marlys A. Carlson

Dec 4, 2024

Marlys A. Carlson, age 91, of Forest Lake, passed away peacefully at home on December 4, 2024.

Marlys was a woman of warmth, strength, and humor who touched the lives of many. She found great joy in spending time at her beloved cabin on Lake Vermilion, where she cherished the serenity of nature and countless special moments with family and friends....

Alfred L. Zieman

Alfred L. Zieman

Dec 3, 2024

Alfred L. Zieman, age 88, of Ham Lake, Minnesota died peacefully on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 while surrounded by family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Catherine; wife, Darlene. He is survived by his sisters, Joan Kratzke, Margaret Jurek, Virginia LeVasseur; many nieces, nephews, family and friends. 

Services will be held at a later date.

Thomas TJ Danielson

Thomas TJ Danielson

Dec 2, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas “TJ” Danielson, age 43, of East Bethel, Minnesota, who died unexpectedly on December 2, 2024. Thomas was born on July 17, 1981, and grew up in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where he graduated from Forest Lake High School.

TJ was a loving father, son, brother, uncle and friend. He is...

Jill J. Schroeder-Gesinger

Jill J. Schroeder-Gesinger

Dec 2, 2024

Jill J. Schroeder-Gesinger, age 79, of Forest Lake, MN, passed away on December 2, 2024.

Jill was a kind-hearted soul who lived life with passion and a deep love for the simple joys of nature and family. She cherished time spent at her cabin in Sturgeon Lake. Whether it was traveling to the beach or sitting by a quiet lake, Jill...

Robert C. Cockburn

Robert C. Cockburn

Dec 1, 2024

Robert Cockburn of Forest Lake passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2024 with family by his side.  Bob graduated from Forest Lake High School class of 1965. He served in the Army as an airplane mechanic during the Vietnam War.

One of the original Forest Lake City police officers, he patrolled for many years before becoming a Resource Officer at...

Edison Allen Bryant

Edison Allen Bryant

Nov 29, 2024

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved son, Edison Allen Bryant, who left us on November 29, 2024, at just three months old. Edison was born on August 25, 2024, to parents Nathan and Shannon Bryant. Though his time with us was far too short, Edison’s impact on those who knew him was immeasurable.

Edison’s sweet smile, bright...

Mary Ann Johnson

Mary Ann Johnson

Nov 24, 2024

Mary Ann Johnson, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, in Wyoming, Minnesota, at the age of 83. Born on August 20, 1941 to Thomas and Marjorie Rowan, Mary Ann grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she later met her husband, Ronald Johnson (Ron), at Pearson Candy Company in 1958. 

After meeting and...