All Obituaries

James D. Little, age 84 of Aitkin, formerly of Fifty Lakes, died on August 8, 2019 at his home.  He was born on February 10, 1935 in Gray, PA to John and Helen (MacTavish) Little.  Jim was a U.S. Air Force veteran serving in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam with 12 years of service.  He was a retired Ramsey County Deputy Sheriff with 21 years of service with the Canine Unit. He moved to the Fifty Lakes area after retirement.   Jim is survived by two...

Dwight R. Semler, age 77 of Irondale Township died on August 6, 2019 at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd.  He was born on July 7, 1942 to Leon and Christine (Norman) Semler.  Dwight graduated from the Crosby-Ironton High School, class of 1960.  After graduating he went to work with his dad at the sawmill.   He married Mabel Anderson in Crosby on August 5, 1967. Together with his wife, attended the International School of...

Melvin R. Chapman age 70 of Emily died on August 6, 2019 at his home.  He was born in Mount Vernon, IL to Harold and Jessie (Minor) Chapman. Melvin married Cheryl Stiner on April 4, 1967 in Emily.   Melvin is survived by his wife, Cheryl; one son, Melvin B. (Shannon) Chapman of Virginia; one daughter, Michelle (Frank) Martin of Emily; one brother, Bruce (Diana) Chapman of Moweaqua, IL; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.   Preceding Melvin in death...

Ronald Irvin Valentino, 76, passed away peacefully at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby on August 7th, 2019 due to lung cancer complications. He was known for his great sense of humor, being boisterous, and his athletic ability. He enjoyed desert camping, quading, and Havasu water sports with friends and family.   Ron was a husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was born on February 13, 1943 in Aitkin to Reno and Bea (Moritz) Valentino.  He...

Donald Ray Ryan, 81 of Aitkin, formerly of New Brighton died on July 21, 2019 at his home.  He was born on December 11, 1937 in St. Paul to John and Hazel (Jensen) Ryan.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran.  Don married Nancy Hamilton on September 20, 1969 in St. Paul.  He was a retired employee of Brown-Wilbert Vault Company with 40 years of service.  He was also a retired New Brighton Fireman.  Don was a member of Our Lady of Fatima in...

Joel Howard Erickson, age 79 years, passed away at his home on July 14, 2019, surrounded by family. He fought a courageous battle against cancer for several years, fighting until the end.  Joel was born at home on September 16, 1939 in Schaefer Township, MN, to Howard and Lorraine (Carlson) Erickson. Joel is the fourth of 4 siblings. He attended school in Taylors Falls until the family moved to New Ulm, MN where Joel attended New Ulm High School until his graduation in May 1957. He...

James Douglas Fossum, age 88, passed peacefully on July 11thin his home on Serpent Lake, a place he called Heaven on Earth.  A kind, resourceful man with a quiet strength, Jim found pleasure in the people and activities of his daily life.  He had a way of encouraging those around him and lifting them up.  He was a blessing to many.   Jim was born and raised in Crosby, Minnesota.  A graduate of the University of Minnesota Dental School, Jim used...

Patricia Ann Tasche, age 76, of Ross Lake Township died at Golden Horizons in Crosslake on June 30, 2019. She was born on February 21, 1943 in Minneapolis to Leslie and Blanche (Kraich) LaBresh. Pat married Roy Tasche on February 25, 1961 in Maple Plain, MN.  She loved hunting, fishing and gardening.   Pat is survived by her husband, Roy; three sons, Troy (Julie) Tasche of Mound, Burt Tasche of Brainerd and Greg Tasche of Illinois; one brother, Robert (Donna) LaBresh of...

Phyllis M. Fletcher, age 91, of Emily died on June 27, 2019 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. She was born on September 15, 1927 in Crooked Lake Township to Philip and Mabel (Haarberg) Chenevert.  Phyllis married Virl E. Fletcher in Emily on October 8, 1948. Phyllis was a humble person who led a modest life.  Her life revolved around a large family and a small group of friends whom she cared about deeply.  She met life's many challenges with...

Judith A. “Judy” Frink age 74 of Crosby died on June 21, 2019 at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.  She was born on May 12, 1945 in Brainerd to William and Lilian (Anderson) DeRosier. Judy married Herbert Frink on December 28, 1964 in Brainerd. She was a retired Kitchen Aid employee with the Crosby-Ironton School District with 28 years of service.  She was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Crosby. Survivors include her husband Herbert; two...