Obituaries

Thomas "Tom" Gustafson

Thomas "Tom" Gustafson

Oct 24, 2026

Thomas “Tom” Howard Gustafson, 90, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Tom was born on December 30, 1935, in Minnesota to Benny Gustafson and Mary Eva (Kennedy) Gustafson. He was raised with strong values of faith, hard work, and dedication to family, qualities that remained evident throughout...

Joel Brent Nelson

Joel Brent Nelson

Oct 23, 2026

Joel Brent Nelson was born on June 25, 1958, to Leo and Vernice (Bakke) Nelson. He was a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1976 and married Kim Melvie on October 14, 1978. Joel and Kim welcomed four children: Bethany, Michael, Ryan, and Alexandra.

While Joel is perhaps best known for his years of owning and operating Nelson Equipment,...

Mae Arveson

Mae Arveson

Oct 23, 2026

Erna Mae Arveson, 95, of International Falls, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 23, 2026, with her loving family by her side.

Mae was born on May 1, 1931, near Ericsburg, Minnesota, at the home of her parents, Oswald and Ida Erna (Richter) Drechsler. She grew up in northern Minnesota, where she learned the values of faith, hard work, and...

Marvel Dahl

Marvel Dahl

Oct 22, 2026

Marvel Dahl, 97 of Gatzke, MN passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Prairie Senior Cottages in Isanti, MN with her loving family by her side.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM Prayer Service on Friday, November 20, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will begin...

Nancy Vaudrin

Nancy Vaudrin

Oct 22, 2026

Nancy Lea Vaudrin, 90, of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, surrounded by the love of her family.

Nancy was born on June 22, 1936, in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, to Ivan Milton Moore and Mary Augusta (Pearson) Moore. She was raised on her parents' ranch in Wyoming...

Jerry Freitag

Jerry Freitag

Oct 21, 2026

Jerry Thomas Freitag, 86, of Plummer, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family at his home in Fergus Falls, MN.

Jerry was born on June 29, 1940, in Deer Creek, Minnesota, to Herbert and Violet Bertha (Wendt) Freitag. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Deer Creek, Minnesota. Jerry attended...

Wayne Hanson

Wayne Hanson

Oct 21, 2026

*The service on Thursday the 29th for Wayne is POSTPONED*

Wayne Douglas Hanson, 76, of Grygla, Minnesota, passed away on October 21, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, with his loving family by his side.

Wayne was born on August 15, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Leonard and Edna (Hanson) Moe. He was baptized and confirmed in the...

Timothy Bulger

Timothy Bulger

Oct 20, 2026

Timothy John Bulger, 70, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away on October 20, 2026 at Sanford Medical Center in Thief River Falls.

Tim was born on April 7, 1956, in Warren, Minnesota, to William and Joyce (Parent) Bulger. He attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1974. On June 28, 1975, he married the love of his life, Lana (VandeStreek)...

Hunter Vatthauer

Hunter Vatthauer

Oct 17, 2026

Hunter Paul Vatthauer, 27, passed away October 17th at his home in Red Lake Falls after a life-long battle with kidney disease. From day one Hunter defied the odds and lived life by his own set of rules. When he was ready to talk for the first time he spoke in sentences. His mind was a steel trap for fun...

Diane Wappula

Diane Wappula

Oct 17, 2026

Diane Wappula, 72, of Middle River, MN passed away on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Diane Kay (Holden) Wappula was born on April 24, 1954, in San Diego, California, to Anna Marie (Holden) Nelson. As an infant, she moved with her family to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, where she spent much of her childhood....

Darryl Hanson

Darryl Hanson

Oct 13, 2026

Darryl Ray Hanson, age 79, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, Darryl will be remembered for his steady presence, kind heart, and deep devotion to those he loved.

Darryl was born on September 7, 1947, to Myron "Duane"...

Nancy Dahl

Nancy Dahl

Oct 13, 2026

Nancy Elaine Dahl, 79, of Mentor, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 13, at McIntosh Senior Living in McIntosh, Minnesota, surrounded by her loving family.

Nancy was born on November 29, 1946, in International Falls, Minnesota, to Morris Alton and Jean Lois (Bucholz) Stenberg. Nancy grew up in Prescott, Arizona, and International Falls, before settling in Thief River Falls. Nancy...

Susan Olson

Susan Olson

Oct 11, 2026

Susan Mae Olson, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Heather's House in Fargo, surrounded by her loving family. Throughout her life, Susan dedicated herself to serving others through public health nursing, community involvement, and a steadfast commitment to her faith and family. Her compassion, intelligence, and leadership touched countless lives across northwest Minnesota and beyond.

Susan...

Kermit Mason Jr.

Kermit Mason Jr.

Oct 10, 2026

Kermit Alton Mason Jr., 97, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2026, at Brookdale Charleston Gardens.

Kermit was born on January 7, 1929, in Carpio, North Dakota, to Kermit Alton Mason Sr. and Lyla (Erikson) Mason. He was of Norwegian heritage and grew up in North Dakota, graduating from high school in 1947. Following graduation, he proudly...

Marilyn Wigness

Marilyn Wigness

Oct 9, 2026

Marilyn Ellen Wigness, age 90, passed away peacefully at Trillium in Bemidji, MN on Friday, October 9, 2026 with family by her side. Marilyn was born on April 18, 1936 in Grafton, North Dakota to Ellen (Evans) Wralstad and Carl Manvil Wralstad. She grew up on a farm outside of Grafton with her beloved older brother Phillip. Marilyn and Phil...

Alden "Al" Anderson

Alden "Al" Anderson

Oct 7, 2026

Alden “Al” Vernon Anderson passed away at his home on October 7, 2026.

Services are pending.

Al was born on September 6, 1957 in Minot, ND. He was raised by Vergil and Janice (Schwitzer) Aubol along with his 12 siblings.

Al is survived by his mother, Jan Aubol; son, Derek (Tara); stepsons, Joseph (Ashley) Donarski and Thomas (Amanda) Donarski; grandchildren, Easton Anderson, Gwen...

Bianka Richards

Bianka Richards

Oct 4, 2026

Bianka Helga Richards passed away unexpectedly on October 4, 2026, leaving behind a loving family and friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Bianka was born on February 8, 1972, in Trier, Germany, to Alfred and Danuta (Kurowski) Hermes. She grew up in Binsfeld, Germany, alongside her younger sister, Vanessa. She attended grade school in Binsfeld, Wittlich, and Speicher, where she...

LaVerne Hanson

LaVerne Hanson

Oct 3, 2026

LaVerne Hanson, of Thief River Falls, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at Thief River Care Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral service for Laverne will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Strathcona, MN. Visitation will be held...

Russell "Russ" Landrus

Russell "Russ" Landrus

Oct 2, 2026

Russell Landrus was born on October 3, 1959 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and passed away on October 2, 2026 surrounded by the love of his family and friends. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

On December 20, 1989, Russell married the love of his life, Sandy (Sandra) Landrus. Together, they shared many years of love,...

Sal Hoffert

Sal Hoffert

Oct 2, 2026

Salvinus “Sal” Hoffert, of Thief River Falls, MN passed away on Friday, October 2, 2026 under the care of Hospice at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Visitation for Salvinus will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 starting at 11:00 AM at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, MN.

Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held at...

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