Area Obituaries

Ethel Thorlacius, 91, of Stephen, Minn., died on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in North Star Manor of Warren, Minn. Ethel Steinun Halldora Byron was born on June 25, 1931, in Hensel, N.D., to Kristjan “Chris” and Snolaug Maria “Mollie” (Hillman) Byron. Her Icelandic roots ran deep, and her family fostered a love for history and…

  Charles (Chuck) Leroy Hunter, 88, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., passed away on April 1, 2023, after complications due to lung cancer. Chuck was born on Sept. 15, 1934, and grew up in Orleans and Lancaster, Minn. During his school years in Lancaster, he was active in sports, yearbook, FFA and other activities. He…

Goldie L. Johnson, 86, of Kennedy, Minn. passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023. Goldie was born in Walsh County, N.D. on Sept. 1, 1936, the daughter of Clifford and Blanche (Switzer) Nicholson. She grew up on the family farm near Bowesmont, N.D. and attended Bowesmont Public School graduating May 28, 1954. She attended Aakers…

Phyllis (Hunter) Nelson, 80, of Surprise, Ariz., passed away March 25, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born May 9, 1942, to the late William Hunter and Doris (Hunter) Swenson and grew up in Lancaster, Minn. She graduated high school there and obtained her LPN degree from the Wahpeton School of Science in Wahpeton,…

Rodney Lee Bockwitz, 87, of Humboldt, Minn. passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minne-apolis. Rodney was born in Hallock, Minn., on Dec. 21, 1935, the son of Virgil and Elvera (Paulson) Bockwitz. Rodney grew up and attended school in Humboldt and later in Hallock. He married Jeanette Vilen in 1952 and…

Betty Lindberg, 92, of Kennedy, Minn., passed away peacefully at Kittson Memorial Nursing Home in Hallock, Minn., on March 29, 2023, with family by her side. Betty (Rudisill) Lindberg was born on March 28, 1931, to Alvin and Marian Rudisill from Backoo, N.D. She was born upstairs in the home of her grandmother, Bernice Junkins…

Franklin Carlson, 88, entered Jesus’ loving arms on March 23, 2023. Leonard Franklin Carlson was born on May 24, 1934, in Kittson County Minn., the ninth child of Ellen and Andrew Carlson. Franklin was baptized at Maria Lutheran Church, Kennedy, Minn. He graduated from Kennedy High School in 1952. He joined the Air Force and…

Phyllis Vivian Bostad was born on June 17, 1928 in Stokes Township, Roseau County, Minn. She was the daughter of Ted and Hilda (Sander) Bagstad. She was baptized at Opdahl Lutheran Church and confirmed on June 11, 1944 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, Badger, Minn. Phyllis attended Fox School District #46 and graduated as senior…

Michael Mattson “Mike,” age 80, passed away in his home in Hallock, Minn., on March 16, 2023. Many people will remember Mike best as the lone bicyclist who could be seen any day, year around riding down an open road somewhere in the county with a wave for any passerby. He would like that. Mike…

Dorothy Skoglund, of Karlstad, Minn., passed away on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at her residence, at the age of 93. A private celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Dorothy May Hanson was born on April 22, 1929, to Fred and Esther (Christensen) Hanson on a farm near Lake Norden, S.D.…