Obituaries

Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Patenaude (Hunt) (Brown) passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025, at Viewcrest Hospice in Duluth, Minnesota, at the age of 68.

Helen (Honey) Rizzi passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025. She was born to parents Stojan and Dorothy (Glumac) Griak on February 1, 1931. She attended both Stowe and Morgan Park Schools. Helen worked for the U.S. Census Bureau for 25 years and enjoyed playing softball and volleyball as an amateur athlete for 4 decades.

Donald Kronemann, 2/7/1937 – 1/31/2025. Son, Father, Friend and Mentor to SO many. Visitation will be held Friday, February 28, 2025, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. The visitation will resume on Saturday, March 1, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. Memorial Service at Zion Lutheran Church, 1000 Washington Ave., Cloquet, MN. Food will be served at both the visitation and memorial service. All are welcome.

Dennis J. Hackett, 78, of Duluth passed away peacefully on Wednesday January 29, 2025, at Keystone Bluffs-Assisted Living. He was born on October 6, 1946, in Duluth MN to Rosemary and Archie Hackett. He was a graduate of St. James Catholic School and Denfeld High School class of 1965. He is an Eagle Scout and received the St. George Award for scout leadership. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the Presidential Flag Ship, USS Northampton CC1. His previous work included Duluth Avionics, U.S. Steel, Diamond Tool and Horseshoe Co, Walco Transport, Hegstrom Funeral Home. He was an active member of St. James Catholic Church and served on its Pastoral Council and chairperson of the Connections building fund. He had previously helped as a volunteer at St. James Church as the editor of the weekly bulletin.

Dec. 10, 1944 - Feb. 01, 2025

June Avis (Hansen) Alsop, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, passed away Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, after 101 incredible years of life.

Dec. 10, 1944 - Feb. 01, 2025

Age 85 of North St. Paul. Loving Dad, Grandpa, Brother & Uncle, passed away peacefully with his family present on January 27, 2025.

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025 at the age of 91. Bev was born August 13, 1933 to J.R. “Rick” and Ruth Wilson Carlson. Bev was a lifelong member of Glen Avon Church. She graduated from Duluth East HS in 1952 and DBU in 1953. She joined Oliver Mining Company as a clerk in 1953 and was employed there until 1959.

Cheryl Lee Bednarek, 78, passed away with her family at her side on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Barnes Care. She was born in Minneapolis, MN, on December 22, 1946, to Harold and Donna Munter. She graduated from High School in 1964 and was united in marriage to Thomas Bednarek on January 19, 1974. Cheryl was the homemaker for her family, before starting her career in manufacturing as a seamstress for Wear-A-Knit and K1 Sports until her retirement. Cheryl also enjoyed spending time crafting and quilting.

Dorothy (Dixie) Joan Williams, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 25th. Born on June 29, 1941, in Duluth, MN, Dixie was the cherished daughter of Dorothy and Willis Williams.

Kenneth L. Kruger, 87, of Silver Bay died peacefully on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth with his family by his side.

Carole Jean Dubla, 85, of Canosia Township, died Saturday, January 11, 2025 in her home. She was born on January 29, 1939 in Duluth to Frank and Esther Leavitt. Carole was a graduate of Denfeld High School and married Louis Dubla in Duluth. Carole worked MP & L in her younger years, then at the Holiday Inn where she was the banquet manager and she also worked as a banquet waitress at the Duluth Arena. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Wendover, Nevada; cruising all over the world; watching crime shows, sewing, knitting and crocheting. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Louis; her brother, Jerry Leavitt and many of her friends. Carole is survived by her son, Scott Dubla of Duluth; her daughter, Lisa (Wayne) Boucher of Hermantown; grandchildren, Jake (Alayna) Dubla of Duluth, Katie Dubla of Duluth, Jordan (Ben) Willoughby of Duluth and Nick Boucher of Hermantown.

Oct. 03, 1932 - Jan. 28, 2025

Jean Maisie Macpherson lived a long and adventurous life. Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in Canada, she moved with her family, as an infant, to the farm in Leask, Saskatchewan. There her formative years were filled with small chores, fun and freedom. In the evening, after the chores were done, the family of three brothers and mother and father would sit in the 'great room' and read. Jean taught herself to read at four so she could join in those quiet hours of family time. Her brothers were very mechanically inclined and taught Jean the way of early motors. By the time she was ten she could break down an electric motor and put it quickly back together. She also enjoyed watching the crop-dusting airplanes fly over the large Saskatchewan wheat farms and vowed to learn to fly. She did just that, getting her pilot's license at fifteen years of age.

Jan. 27, 1939 - Jan. 22, 2025