David W. Nelson
July 4, 1947 - August 22, 2010

David Nelson, 63, of Crosslake, formerly of St. Michael, passed away Sunday, August 22, 2010, at St. Cloud Hospital. A “Celebration of Life” for David was held, Friday, August 27 at Crosslake Lutheran Church.

David was born July 4, 1947, in Duluth, MN, the son of John and Dorothy Nelson. He grew up in  Aurora where he graduated from Aurora Hoyt Lakes High School in 1965. He attended Virginia Junior College and Hibbing Area VoTech for two years. In 1993, David went back to school to earn his Business Administration Degree from Metro State University. David married his college sweetheart, Gail Haurunen.

David loved the outdoors. He liked to ski, snowmobile, hunt, swim, golf, play tennis and spend time on their boat. The family enjoyed taking family vacations each summer, and David loved to travel. Last summer he and Gail toured Alaska with their good friends the Eides and Safars. For Gail and David’s 40th wedding anniversary the couple cruised the Mediterranean visiting many ports along the way, including the Greek Isles. He enjoyed giving back and was a hockey coach for many years and also played on an “old-timers” league. He was a scout leader, a friend to many, a mentor and a mediator. David will be remembered for his contagious smile, infectious laugh, great sense of humor and sharp wit.

David will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Gail; his sons, Todd David (Kathleen Gordon) Nelson and Cory Douglas (Holly Christensen) Nelson; grandchildren, Elyce, Madalyne, Brady, and Eleanor; mother, Dorothy; brothers, Dennis (Linda Flann) Nelson and Douglas (Linda Pitkanen) Nelson; and sister, Barbara (Douglas) Weise. He was preceded in death by his father, John and his brother, Keith.

Randall "Randy" Godeke
January 31, 1942 - August 22, 2010

Randy Godeke, 68, of Crosslake was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on Sunday, August 22, 2010.

Randy was born January 31, 1942 in Milaca, MN, to John and Grace Godeke. He married Janice Diane DeJong April 9, 1965. He had a great love for his family and they were blessed in 1970 with the birth of their daughter, Nicole Dawn. Their time with family became even more precious with the marriage of Nicole to Chuck Carlson, and the birth of grandchildren Karissa and Caleb. Randy graduated from Milaca High School and attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He was fascinated with the idea of computers and took the first available courses the University of Minnesota offered. His business career included computer consulting in finance, marketing, and manufacturing. In 1975 he started a business called EMA with two others. He was the Financial Officer and did strategic planning. They consulted with municipalities to automate water and wastewater facilities, and opened offices in several states. Randy was known for expertise and work ethic. Friends and family enjoyed his sense of humor. Randy had a deep love and strong sure faith in our sovereign God. This was strengthened throughout his challenging journey with esophageal cancer. Randy and Jan’s marriage was strengthened as they endured the last two and one half years. Randy and Jan were charter members of Faith Christian Reformed Church, New Brighton, Minnesota, where they were actively involved. Randy was an elder and financial deacon and building fund deacon. In 1998 he retired and they moved “up north” and became members of the Crosslake Evangelical Free Church, where he was Finance Treasurer and a leader in the Alpha program. Randy enjoyed golfing and was a member of Whitefish Golf Course. He was loved and respected by family, friends, and business associates. Many were impacted by his leadership, financial advice, and example of how to live.

He is survived by his sister, Garda Droogsma (Del), and brother, Don Godeke (Judy). Randy will be deeply missed by Jan, his wife of 45 years, his loving daughter, Nicole and her husband Chuck Carlson, Chuck’s son, Chad Carlson, and precious little ones, Karissa and Caleb. Memorials preferred to Calvin Christian School. Celebration of life was held Saturday, August 28, at Crosslake Evangelical Free Church. Burial will be at the Pease Christian Reform Church Cemetery, Pease, MN.

Robert C. Hollingsworth
June 19, 1929 – August 6, 2010

Robert “Bob” C. Hollingsworth, age 81, of Brainerd, MN passed on to his new life, peacefully at home surrounded by the love of his family on Friday, August 6, 2010. Bob fought a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Bob was born in Merrifield, MN on June 19, 1929 to Clayton and Lottie (Swanson) Hollingsworth. Bob grew up in Merrifield until the age of 14 when he then lived between Merrifield and Clarion, IA. Bob spent two years in the Army from 1951-1953, after that he worked for Potlatch in Brainerd for nearly 20 years. After retiring from Potlatch, he discovered his gift for woodworking and spent many enjoyable years creating beautiful pieces of wood art. He was a master woodcrafter with the scroll saw. He and his wife Gertrude (Johansen) Hollingsworth made many friends selling his wood work at craft shows. Bob loved the outdoors and traveling. He also spent many enjoyable hours fishing with his good buddy Hank (Eddie) Lemm of Brainerd.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gert, of 58 plus years, daughters; Judith (Roger) Dooley of Turlock, CA and Lynn (Richard) Ellstrom of Baxter, MN. Also survived by his grandchildren Judy (Tony) Berglund, Melonie (Rob) Ellstrom Stevens, and Tommy (Bobbie Jo) Martin. Great-grandchildren Alex (Ashley), River, Natalie and Indigo and a great-great-grandson, Riley. Bob is also survived by brothers Colin, Raymond, Leonard (Fran) and Curt (Cindy) of the Brainerd area, Dwight (Alice) of Redwood Falls, Norman (Rosemary) of Little Falls, one sister Eleanor (Stan) Andrews of Sumner, WA, and many nieces and nephews. Bob is preceded in death by his parents and several brothers and sisters. He will be forever in the hearts of his family and friends.

A private interment was held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, MN on  August 11, 2010. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Good Samaritan Society Home Care and Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements were entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter, MN.

Ronald Hopkins
July 11, 1963 - August 14, 2010

Ronald “Ron” Hopkins, 47, of Pine River passed away Sunday, August 8, 2010 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Memorial services were held August 14, 2010 at the Church of The Nazarene, Backus.

Ron Hopkins was born July 11, 1963 in St. Paul, MN the son of Richard and Carol (Peterson) Hopkins. He grew up in the Backus area and attended school in Pine River. Ron had owned the Eagle Bait Shop in Backus and also sold bait from his home. He later worked for the Longville Post Office as a mail carrier. Ron and Deb were married February 16, 2007. Ron enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Deb; children, Angela, Jessica, Lee, Johnathan, Veronica, Jacob and Willy; his parents Richard and Carol Hopkins; brothers, Jimmy (Janice), Roger (Shelly) and Rick; his mother and father-in-law, Donald and Delores Szymanski; and by his little dog, Buddy.

Adelia Marie Anderson
August 16, 1926 – August 1, 2010

Adelia Marie (Oslin) Anderson, 83, of Ironton, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, MN.

Adelia was born August 16, 1926 in Foley, MN, the daughter, of Sigurd and Abbie (Cook) Oslin. After graduating high school, Adelia was a homemaker and spent her life farming with her husband, Neil in Glendorado, MN. Later she also worked at a dietary aide at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center. In 1977, the couple retired and moved to Ironton. Adelia liked to garden and crochet.

She will be missed by her children, Leslie (Nancy) Anderson, of Princeton, Patricia (Duane) Sanford, of Ironton, Robert (Teri) Anderson, of Ironton, and Brenda (Dennis) Meyer, of Princeton; sister, Lorene (Jerry) Burtts, Dillon, MT; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Neil; parents, Sigurd and Abbie; three brothers; a sister; and one granddaughter.

Services for Adelia were held Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at Christ Lutheran Church in Brainerd, with graveside service at Our Savior’s Lutheran Cemetery near Santiago, MN.

Everett F. Utter
August 16, 1926 – July 29, 2010

Everett F. Utter, 83, of Nisswa, passed away suddenly at his home on Thursday, July 29, 2010. Services for Everett were held Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa with Pastor Bruce Hannem officiating.

Lawrence Daniel (Dan) Whalen, Jr
July 30, 2010

Lawrence Daniel (Dan) Whalen, Jr., of Pequot Lakes and Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully on July 30, 2010 at the age of 67 at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center Hospice Wing.

A graduate of Edina High School and Mankato State University, Dan spent several years in the auto industry and was the owner of Interstate Transmissions before entering his career as a nursing home administrator in the Twin Cities and Silver Bay. He enjoyed hockey, flying, racing cars, watching NASCAR, dancing, sailing, fishing, and just being around water. He loved having his personal therapy dogs, Andy and Sean, during his over four years of dialysis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence Daniel, Sr. and Jean. Dan is survived by his wife, Clare; son, Tom (Kellie), and granddaughters, Casie, Paige, Baillie, of Chaska, MN; daughter, Kate O’Toole, of Denver, CO; brother, Chuck, wife Marnie, of Merrifield, MN; and sister Linda Jefferies, of Lakeshore, MN.

A memorial service to celebrate his life was held Wednesday, August 4 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Pequot Lakes, MN.

Marjorie Altman
November 15, 1937 - July 23, 2010

Marjorie Altman, 72, of Crosslake died July 23, 2010 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial for Marjorie will be held on Tuesday August 3, 2010 at 11:00 AM at the Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake with Father Mike Patullo officiating. Visitation will be held from 10-11 AM at the church. Private interment will be in the Pinewood Cemetery in Crosslake.

Marjorie was born on November 15, 1937 in San Pedro, California to William and Francis (Fox) Bernard. She married Harry Altman in 1954 in San Diego, CA. She enjoyed reading and she was involved in a craft group at her church where she was especially good at stained glass. Marjorie was very active with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She will be missed by her husband, Harry; her children, Mary Lou (Terry) Nord and Susan (Steven) Shoemaker; five grandchildren; and three greatgrandchildren. Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, Minnesota.

Please visit www.brenny.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Marjorie’s family.

Terry C. McGaughey
July 21, 2010

Terry C. McGaughey, 70, of Brainerd, died at his home July 21, 2010.

Terry will be missed by his daughters, Lia and Jill; sisters, Char (Kermit) Espeseth, Katie Hansen, and Patty (Tom) Frank; and many cousins, nieces & nephews.

A resident of the Brainerd Lakes area for more than 40 years, McGaughey was dedicated to natural resources throughout the state. He helped establish the Minnesota Designated Canoe and Boating Routes; helped form the Minnesota Canoe Association; co-founded an Audubon Chapter, was a member of the original governing board of the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve in Cass County, and advised on the development of the Cuyuna Range Mine Pit Lakes. His life's work, however, earned him the title "Father of the Paul Bunyan Trail," as he served as a volunteer coordinator, lobbyist, project manager and tireless promoter for this large-scale project for over twenty-five years. Now nearing completion at 110 miles, the Paul Bunyan Trail is the longest bicycle trail in Minnesota and links with other northland trails to form a web of contiguous recreational trails enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to the state each year.

A special memorial ceremony was held on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Northland Arboretum. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Terry McGaughey Memorial Fund (C/O Brenny Funeral Chapel, PO Box 623, Brainerd, MN 56401). Please visit www.brenny.com to leave a message of comfort and support for Terry’s family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.

Wendy Jo (Abell) Tolvstad
June 13, 1957 - July 19, 2010

Wendy Jo (Abell) Tolvstad, 53, of Holmen, WI died Sunday, July 19, 2010 at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in Arcadia, WI from the effects of Leiomyosarcoma, a rare cancer.

Wendy Jo was born June 13, 1957 in Worthington, MN to Wayne & Marge Abell. Wendy Jo grew up in Bloomington, MN. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1975 and went on to attend University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse where she performed with the UWLaCrosse Marching Chiefs Band as a baton twirler. She was Miss LaCrosse-Oktoberfest during 1977-78. Wendy Jo married Erik Tolvstad on Nov 24, 1979. She was the proud mother of Leah Mae, Nathaniel and Nikkole Tolvstad.

Wendy Jo was very active most of her life as a color guard and baton-twirling instructor. She worked extensively with the Holmen High School Marching Band and earlier with the Westby High School Band and the Warriors Baton & Drum Corp, as well as many individual students.

She is survived by her husband Erik, and children, Leah Mae, Nate and Nikke, all of Holmen, WI; her parents, Marge and Wayne Abell of Breezy Point, MN; and her brother, Scott, and sister-in-law, Rhonda Abell, of Blaine MN.