Obits and Death Notices (2024)

Born in Duluth on Oct. 2, 1950, Lana Rae Liljeblad left this world on June 16, 2024 to join her husband Kris of 53 years for more adventures on the other side.

Terese Maria Gassert, Cloquet, MN, died June 24, 2024, one day after her 71st birthday, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital with her family by her side. Terese was preceded in death by her parents Howard and Ida Gassert and her infant sister Monica Mary.

Sherald Eugene Kimball, 88, passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 23, 2024 at St Luke’s hospital. He was born near Backus, MN on August 7,1935 the son of Edwin and Zelma Kimball.

Thomas M. Grier passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday June 19, 2024, in his residence. Tom was born in Minneapolis to Rodney Fellows Grier and Anne Bugocki Grier on November 6, 1954. He graduated from Hopkins High School and earned a BS in biology and chemistry and a Master of Science degree from the U of M Duluth. He worked for K-B Toys in Tacoma, WA and Pocatello, ID before moving back to Duluth, MN when he started work as a Pharmaceutical Sales Rep for Wyeth Co. in women’s products. His science background and outgoing personality helped him win sales awards and be successful. In 1995 he was in the hospital with neurological problems when he was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and could no longer work. He would struggle with the effects of Lyme the rest of his life. Tom started working part-time for Barnes and Noble Booksellers, which he enjoyed. He also started the Duluth Lyme support group and started attending national Lyme Disease conferences to learn of the latest research. He self-published a large booklet with the current information about Lyme to help patients understand the disease. This led to him spending countless hours on the phone trying to help people get the appropriate treatment. Tom traveled around the region giving lectures about the latest findings about Lyme and produced several DVD’s including “Lyme on the Brain” and “Endemic Ignorance”. The past few years, he was plagued with pain and weakness from Lumbar Spinal Stenosis which caused a bad fall and severely limited his mobility, along with his diabetes, which caused swelling of his legs. His death was unexpected, and he was happy and cheerful despite his health issues. He is survived by his brother Terry Louis Grier and he was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Sharon (Grier) Tweit. He will be missed.

April 3, 1930 - June 26, 2024

James Adelbert Kurtz, 93, of Duluth, Minnesota passed away on June 26, 2024. He was born in Hastings, Michigan, on November 10, 1930 to Harry Frederick and Ida Laura (Robinson) Kurtz. He received his GED while serving in the U.S. Navy Air Corps which he served from 1948-1952 in peacetime and during the Korean War.

Steven Herbert Young, 54, of Cloquet, MN, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on May 26, 2024 at his residence. He was born on November 23, 1969, in Duluth, MN, to William L. Young and Joan M. Crawford Young.

Sister Arlene Kleemann, 80, died peacefully at the Monastery on June 24, 2024 in her 61st year of monastic profession. Born January 2, 1944 to George and Evelyn (Heyden) Kleemann, she and her brother George grew up in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Invited by her 7th grade Benedictine teacher to visit the Benedictine motherhouse in Duluth, she began considering a vocation, and in 1961 entered St. Scholastica Monastery. As a novice she took the name Georgemarie after her father and brother. She made her first monastic profession in 1963 and her perpetual profession in 1966, celebrating her 60th jubilee In 2023. She eventually returned to her baptismal name.

Lorraine Ruth O’Leary, age 77, of Tower and formerly a longtime resident of Duluth died Monday, June 24, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born August 12, 1946, in Duluth, the daughter of George and Ruth (Fitzsimmons) Krause and was a 1964 graduate of Denfeld High School. Lorraine married Bernard M. O’Leary on October 27, 1965, in Duluth. She was employed as a cook for Grandma’s in Canal Park from 1978 until her retirement in 2006. A dedicated wife and mother, her family was her greatest love and source of happiness. Her and Bernard retired to their beloved Lake Vermilion in 2008. Lorraine was a member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Tower and was a longtime member of St. Elizabeth’s Parish in Gary New Duluth. She was an avid reader and enjoyed historical documentaries and classic movies.

Beloved husband, father and grandfather passed to his heavenly home on June 22. Celebration of life will be July 6 at French River Lutheran Church, Ryan Road. Visitation at noon followed by service at 1 pm.

Howard Abrahamson, 92, of Duluth Township, died Monday, June 24, 2024 at The Waterview Shores in Two Harbors.

Jeffrey John “JJ” Hashey, 39, of Virginia, MN, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Oct. 29, 2023.

This party’s over.

Darol L. Kaufmann, 89, resident of Superior, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on February 24, 1935, the son of August and Zella (Johnson) Kaufmann.

Violet Montine Mavis, age 98, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 17, 2024.

Vicky I. Linskie, age 68, of Duluth, MN died peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital on June 21, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.

Devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Louis Allen Fulda Jr passed away on May 30, 2024, at the remarkable age of 97. Born on April 3, 1927, in Duluth, Minnesota.

March 19, 1957 - June 12, 2024

William (Bill) Michael Archibald passed away peacefully at 81 years of age on June 13th 2024 at home with family at his side.