Joyce M. Mellgren-Kyle, age 86, a beloved wife and mother, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025. She was born on Sept. 5, 1938, in Barron, Wisconsin, to Robert L. and Bertha M. (Wagenbach) Hughes. She attended Hillsdale School in 1952, when her family moved to California where she finished the eighth grade. She graduated from Leuzinger High School in 1956. During her years in California she lived in Gardena and was employed for various electronic companies as an assembler. She had three kids while in California and eventually returned to the Wisconsin/Minnesota area. She worked for Shafer Electronics and Assemblers automated [...]

  Exilda Mae Memmer, a deeply loved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on June 14, 2025 in Frederic, Wisconsin, at the age of 88. Her loss is felt deeply by all who knew and loved her. Exilda was born on Sept. 29, 1936, in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, to the late Sanford and Rose (Burkhardt) Vernier. She married Frederick Memmer on Dec. 27, 1958, and they shared 66 wonderful years of marriage. Together they built a beautiful life – raised a family, ran several successful business ventures, and made a home in Luck, Wisconsin. She was the proud mother of [...]

  Dorothy L. Rusk Larsen, 96, with her daughters at her side, passed away early Saturday morning May 31, 2025, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul following a brief illness. She had been surrounded by all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren during the last few days of her life. Dorothy was born in Joel, Wisconsin, on Sept. 11, 1928, the daughter of Frederick and Sarah (Miner) Berry. She attended elementary school in and around that area and attended high school in Amery. She was united in marriage to Dale J. Rusk on March 21, 1946. They were the proud parents [...]

E. Wayne Peppenger, 76, of the Town of Bone Lake, Wisconsin, died peacefully Saturday, June 7, 2025. He was born at the Grantsburg (Burnett County), Wisconsin, hospital on Oct. 19, 1948, the oldest of four children born to Eugene and Pearl (Berg) Peppenger. Wayne attended school at Frederic, Wisconsin, and Amery, Wisconsin, and finally at Luck, Wisconsin, and graduated with the Class of 1966. On Dec. 27, 1966, in a small intimate ceremony in Taylors Falls (Chisago County), Minnesota, he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine Carol Cruthers, and the two of them began a life journey that lasted more [...]

Milo Arthur Gray, 89, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater, Minnesota. Milo was born on June 30, 1935, in Brainerd, Minnesota, to Gordon and Gladys Gray. He is survived by his wife, Arlue Gray, children, Robert (Cindy), David (Sarah), and Steve (Kristen); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, stepchildren, step-great-grandchildren, step-great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Beverly, and other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ron. The funeral service for Milo will be held at the Kolstad Family Funeral Home in Centuria, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, June [...]

  Winona Kaydelle Olson, 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, on June 11, 2025. She was born on Dec. 5, 1936, to Leonard and Sylvia Bangtson in Willmar, Minnesota. Winona graduated from high school in Willmar in 1955 and attended Ancker Hospital School of Nursing, earning her registered nurse degree in 1958. She dedicated many years to nursing, retiring at the age of 72. She met the love of her life, Curtis D. Olson, in Grantsburg, and they married on Oct. 18, 1958. Together they raised three children, Ed, Robyn and Mark. They made their home [...]

  It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Ross Anthony Stevens. He passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, at the age of 58, from complications after suffering a stroke. Ross is survived by his wife, Lori; daughter, Stephanie; stepdaughters, Megan (Kyle) and Amanda; and grandchildren, Jorell, Kinley, Lucas, Keirreon, Lane, Gage and Kashton. Also, parents, Maynard and Judy; siblings, Reed (Laurie), Rian, Rachelle and Renette (Eric); and many nieces and nephews. Ross was preceded in death by his grandparents, Guy and Unita Chivers, Jacob and Margaret Stevens; and his sister-in-law, Lisa. Ross was born on April [...]

  Gary Joseph Blanski, age 82, of St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025. Gary was born to Walter and Inez (Berry) Blanski on Oct. 22, 1942, in Minnesota. He joined the Army at age 17 and later received his GED. At the age of 20, Gary started working at NSP as a machinist and continued working there until his retirement at age 55. In 1964, Gary was united in marriage to Marjorie Swanson, and together they raised seven children. Throughout his life, Gary enjoyed playing baseball, softball, golfing with his son Mark and bowling. Later [...]

  Vance Johnson passed peacefully on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Dove Health Care, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, at the age of 84. Vance was born to Lawrence and Florence Johnson in Frederic, Wisconsin, on June 20, 1940. In his early years he attended Danbury Grade School and then graduated from Hinckley High School in 1959. He married in 1959, had two sons and later divorced. Vance worked in the pulp wood business and then in construction, with increasing responsibilities operating heavy equipment. He worked with some of the best dragline operators, gaining experience laying pipe for city utilities, building [...]