Carl William Smith of Grand Marais, MN and Coolidge, AZ, passed away January 10, 2025 at the age of 84, after a lifelong struggle with health issues, beginning when he contracted polio at age 13. He faced each day with extraordinary strength and resilience.
George was born to Gilbert and Alma (Anderson) Bloomquist April 22, 1935, in Grand Marais MN. George graduated Grand Marais high school in 1953. His class was the first one in the new school and carried the books from the old school library to the new library. He started his logging career working with Don Palmer at his small sawmill. He was drafted and inducted into the Army April 1, 1958. He spent most of his time overseas in Germany. His duties there included guarding the concentration camp at Dachau after it was liberated. He returned home as an early release overseas returnee March 22, 1960. Upon his return he joined his father and brothers in their logging and sawmill operation until 1985. He married Florence Lou Bockovich on November 21, 1964. They had four children Clark, Mark, Elizabeth and Tressie. After retirement he joined Florence on the mail route which they continued until her retirement 2023. After a long battle with dementia, he entered eternal life on January 2, 2025. He is survived by his wife Florence (Bockovich), sons Clark (Linda), Mark and daughter Tressie (Nader). Grand children Ryan, Dillon and Dustin. Brother Jonny (Carol) Sister-inlaws Sharon Bloomquist and Loretta (Giedd) and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by His parents, infant brother Lennart, infant daughter Elizabeth, brother David and sisters Thelma Pokorny, and Shirley (Kokal)- McElevey. There will be a celebration of life and committal service at 3pm on April 22, 2025 at the cabin 232 Bloomquist Mountain Road Grand Marais, MN.
Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, and Friend, passed away at the age of 80 on December 27, 2024, in Duluth Minnesota. She is survived by children, Lonnie (Pascale Marceau) Dupre; Todd (Julie) Dupre; Janie (John) DeLuce. Her grandchildren Jacob (Jade) Dupre; Cassie (Steve) Olson; Justine Kinard; Justin (Stacey) Okeson; Cody DeLuce; Cara (Stephan) Quie; Colby DeLuce; Trisha (Dave) Arnold; Robert S Arnold Jr. Her fourteen great grandchildren; Jayden, Ava, Austin, Tristan, Keegan, Grady, Audrey, Lexi, Sawyer, Penelope, August, Leona, Sydney and Jasper. Her brothers Glenn (Kathy) Grubbs; Michael (Kathy) Grubbs and many other loving family and friends. Preceded in death by infant son Kevin Dupre, parents Francis and Joyce Grubbs, brother David and sister Linda Zastrow.
Margaret Iris Oberg joined her sisters in heaven on January 7, 2025. She was surrounded by her family.
Thomas Alton Bramer MacDonald of New Hope Minnesota passed away December 3 at the age of 71. Tom was a member of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and was a 1971 graduate of Cook County High School where he excelled at both football and basketball. After graduation he moved to Grand Portage and later to the Twin Cities where he continued his education, receiving degrees from the University of Minnesota as well as The Brown Institute. He became an industrial chemist and contracted his expertise to several firms including 3M. It was while in the Twin Cities that he met and married the love of his life, Lori Nadine Nelson MacDonald. Tom and Lori were together for 35 years.
Charles Edward Humphrey, age 85 of Plymouth (formerly of Brownsville, TX), passed away on December 28, 2024. Survived by beloved wife, Janet 'Janie' Humphrey; daughter-inlaw, Sheila Humphrey; grandchildren, Lauren & Matthew Humphrey; brother & sisters; nieces & nephews; extended family members & friends. Preceded in death by parents, Edward & Amy Humphrey; son, Scott Humphrey. No gathering or service will take place at this time.
Rev. Carl Philip Vaagenes, age 97, passed away on December 29, 2024. He served as a missionary in Madagascar. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1972, he served as pastor at Zoar (Tofte) and Lutsen Lutheran Church from 1978-1991. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; four children; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. Funeral service 11:00 am Monday, January 6 at North Heights Lutheran Church, 2701 Rice St., Roseville, MN. Livestream available at northheights. church.
January 20, 1939 â December 30, 2024 Darold E. Rosbacka, age 85, peacefully passed away at home in Grand Marais on Monday, December 30, 2024. He was born to Urho and Hilma Rosbacka in Cloquet, Minnesota, on January 20, 1939. Darold graduated from Cloquet High School in 1957 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies with a minor in Physical Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He began his teaching career at Cook County High School, later obtained a Masters in Education, and retired from CCHS in 1998.
