Obituaries

Jun 2, 1940

John Arthur Sorensen was born June 2, 1940 to Art and Lenore Sorensen in St. Paul, Minnesota.

John spent youthful summers with relatives on North Dakota farms, roaming the prairies with his siblings and cousins. John regarded that prairie as his spiritual home. He memorialized those days in "Prairie Poem" (Holy Cow Press, 2013).

John...

Jan 4, 2026

May 5, 2026

Timothy K. Proffit, 73, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in his home with his family by his side.

Tim was born October 30, 1952, to Betty (Schlais) and Henry Proffit in Superior, WI.

He was employed most of his career as a machinist with Moline Machinery LLC.

As a lifelong resident of Superior Tim was involved in many different activities. Growing...

Apr 30, 2026

Brenda Lavern Smith, 64 of Foxboro, WI passed away Thursday, April 30th, 2026.

Brenda was born in Duluth, MN to Richard and Winnogene Geisert on October 27th, 1961. She attended Superior Senior High School and graduated in 1979. She attended WITC where she earned her certificate as an LPN. She worked in healthcare at the Northland Pharmacy, St. Mary's Urgent Care,...

Apr 28, 2026

Full obituary to follow

Apr 26, 2026

Jennifer Lynn Coombes, 46, of Duluth, died Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Franciscan Health Center in Duluth, after a battle with cancer.

Jennifer was born on January 23,1980, in Waukegan, Illinois, the daughter of Dennis and Barbara Ostrander.

She married Randy Coombes on November 1, 2008, spending 17 years together.

She enjoyed many activities including swimming, baking for her family, watching true crime...

Apr 25, 2026

Dennis M. Ahola, 84, of Superior, died Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior.

Dennis was born in Kimball, WI on December 4, 1941, the son of Mertsi and Lila Ahola.

He graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley, WI with the class of 1959. He served his country enlisting in the US Air Force from 1959...

Apr 25, 2026

Patricia M. Johnson, 86, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2026, with her family by her side in Superior.

Patricia was born to Marlys (Lahr) and Raymond McGettigan in Superior, WI.

She was employed as a secretary for the Superior Schools for several years, and then in the billing department at the Range Mental Health...

Apr 25, 2026

Axel H. Wiitala, 84, of Maple, died Saturday April 25, 2026, at his residence. He joined his wife Patsy four years to the date of her passing.

Axel was born on May 21, 1941, the son of Eli and Tyne Wiitala. He graduated from Northwestern High School with the class of 1959 and went on to earn...

Apr 23, 2026

Tammy L. Nelson, 63, passed away Thursday, April 23, 2026, at her home.

Tammy was born on May 14, 1962, in Superior, Wisconsin, to Anna (Gibbs) and Richard Peters.

She worked as a waitress for many years, first at Perkins and later at the Town Crier in Superior. Tammy was an avid reader with a...

Apr 22, 2026

Debra J. Dauer, 67, died Wednesday April 22, 2026, after a lengthy health battle at Essentia-St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth.

Debra was born in Onamia, MN on November 2, 1958, the daughter of Florian and Jane (Larson) Dauer.

She had worked for Feradyne for many years. Debra enjoyed arts and crafts, especially diamond paintings, beading...

Apr 19, 2026

Janet J. Gozanski, 80 of Superior, WI, died in her home Sunday, April 19, 2026.

Janet was born May 19, 1945, in Superior, WI to Gladys (Anderson) and James Androski.

She was employed for the Vista Fleet for many years starting out in ticket sales and eventually the manager of the gift shop.  Janet was...

Apr 18, 2026

Jenny Lee Steele, known to many as Jenny Lee Blues, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2026, after a short but intense battle with cancer.

Jenny was born on March 9, 1959, in Panama City, Florida, to Donald Lee Steele and Charlotte Mae Stocke. Jenny and her brothers, Steve, and Don grew up in the Hermantown, Minnesota area, and she graduated...

Apr 17, 2026

Diana Lynn Christman, 79, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026, at New Perspectives Twin Ports in Superior, WI.

Diana was born September 30, 1946, to Ruth (Bergerson) and Ralph Hanson in Oak Park, IL.

Following graduating from High School she pursued her degree in education and earned her master's degree in elementary education.  She was...

Apr 15, 2026

Albert "Al" L. Rutkowski, age 89, of Poplar, WI, died Wednesday April 15, 2026, in his residence.

Al was born May 30, 1936, in Superior to Margaret (St. George) and John Rutkowski. He worked for the Buckbee Mears Company in St. Paul, MN. While living and working in St. Paul he would meet his future wife Gladys...

Apr 13, 2026

Pastor Gary Garnatz, 73, died Monday, April 13, 2026 in his home at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, MN.

Gary was born September 30, 1952, in Preston, MN, to Dallas and Ruth (Stender) Garnatz.

He grew up in Wykoff, MN and Lanesboro, MN. Gary knew he was called to the Lutheran ministry since his childhood, as...

Apr 12, 2026

Elizabeth "Beth" Jean Davidson, 84, of Duluth, died Sunday April 12, 2026, at Twin Ports Health Services in Superior.

She was born February 6, 1942, the daughter of Toini (Beckman) and Ernie Oberg.

Beth attended Cloverland School graduating with the class of 1960.

After graduating, she moved to Duluth where she did odd...

Apr 12, 2026

Lea Nella Nichols, age 83, of Solon Springs, WI, passed away on April 11, 2026, with family by her side.

Lea Nella was born February 2, 1943 in Duluth, MN, to Irene (Kropinski) and Alfred Gagne.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Dan Roy; brothers Alfred Gagne, Walter Ruhnke and Richard Gagne;...

Apr 12, 2026

Charles J. Allen Jr., age 88, of Foxboro, passed away April 12, 2026, with family by his side.

He was born April 15, 1937, in Superior to Alice (Berg) and Charles Joseph Allen, Sr.

Charles was a lifelong resident of the Foxboro/Superior area, a man defined by his love of hard work and the land...

Apr 12, 2026

Richard Daniel Hoadley, 80, of Bennett, passed away at home Sunday, April 12, 2026, after a battle with COPD, heart problems, and lung cancer.

Rick was employed by Georgia Pacific from 1965 to 2001 when the plant closed. In his younger years, Rick loved deer hunting and fishing.

He was preceded in death by his...