Obituaries
Ruby Gillaspey
Apr 18, 2025
Ruby Gillaspey, 76, of rural Pelican Rapids, MN, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 18, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Ruby was born on December 18, 1948, in Battle Lake, MN, to Oscar and Norma (Mostue) Peasley. She attended and was confirmed at Tonseth Lutheran Church near Erhard, MN. Ruby grew up in the Fergus Falls and Erhard...
Michael Jon Axness
Mar 30, 2025
Michael Jon Axness, age 69, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025, at PVSL and went to his eternal heavenly home. Mike was born on January 7, 1956, to Harvey and Frances (Holt) Axness and
13 short months later Mikes brother Tom was born.
Throughout Mike’s childhood, he and his brother did many things together as they were so close in age.
When...
Orlean Rudie
Mar 27, 2025
Orlean Palmer Rudie, age 93, of Pelican Rapids, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, after a battle with cancer. He was born on June 13, 1931, at Pelican Rapids Hospital, to Peter and Olga Rudie. Orlean grew up on the family farm, alongside his brothers, Norman and Vernon, becoming the third generation to live there, and where he and...
LaVerne E. Hanson
Mar 27, 2025
LaVerne E. Hanson, a shining beacon of love, faith, and community, was born on January 7, 1925, in Elizabeth Township, MN, and departed this world peacefully on March 27, 2025, at Riverfront on Main of Pelican Rapids. She lived a remarkable 100 years, showcasing a life steeped in Christian faith that inspired all who knew her.
Raised on a farm in...
Jane Lynn Peterson
Mar 21, 2025
Jane Lynn Peterson, age 77, of Pelican Rapids, passed away on March 21, 2025, at home with her loving cat, Leif "Kitty" Erikson, at her side. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
A Celebration of Life for Jane Peterson will be on Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 12:00-2:00 pm at Pelican Rapids VFW, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.
Eric Richard Lyon
Mar 16, 2025
Eric Richard Lyon (Diggy), 45, of Pelican Rapids, MN, passed away on March 16, 2025, after a difficult, but heroic battle with brain cancer at the Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, ND.
Eric was born on July 10, 1979, to Rick and Jayne Lyon and big brother Jay. Their sibling relationship was characterized by many as playful pranks/mischief and some trouble...
Joan Jackson
Mar 15, 2025
Joan Jackson, loving wife, doting mother, and loyal friend, left this world peacefully on March 15, 2025, at her residence in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, surrounded by cherished memories, the love of her family and the tranquility only lake life can provide. Born on September 21, 1937, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Joan lived a life rich in service and devotion to...
Arlen P. Nelson
Mar 9, 2025
Arlen Peter Nelson was born on July 17, 1937 in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Almer and Mabel (Rice) Nelson. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls, MN.
Arlen attended school in Pelican Rapids, was Confirmed at Central Lutheran Church in rural Pelican Rapids, and honorably served his country in the US...
Alexa Bekkerus
Mar 3, 2025
I am Alexa Elizabeth Bekkerus, AKA “Alex,” and this is my story.
I was born on 3/14/1997 and I died in my home on 3/3/2025. I was 27 years old. My momma is Cindy Trane, and my dad was Loren Bekkerus. My childhood was spent with my brother Cody on our farm and lake place and we found endless ways to...
John E. Okke
Feb 23, 2025
John E. Okke passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2025, in his home under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley and surrounded by his family.
John was born June 29, 1942, to Anthony and Anna (Gutzmer) Okke. He grew up on a farm in rural Glyndon, MN.
He married Judy Johnson in December 1975. They had three children DeOnne,...
Clark Allen Flink
Feb 5, 2025
Clark Allen Flink, 66, passed away on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at the St. Williams Living Center in Parkers Prairie, MN.
Clark was born on September 1, 1958, in Fargo, ND, the son of Donald Calvin and Darlene Jean (Seward) Flink. Clark attended school in Perham, MN, and Pelican Rapids, MN.
A dedicated small engine repairman, Clark was also a steel worker...
Donavon Edward O'Brien
Jan 27, 2025
Donavon Edward O'Brien, a man of remarkable resilience, passed away on January 27, 2025, at the Valley Care and Rehabilitation of Barnesville, Minnesota, at the age of 84. Born on April 5, 1940, in the quaint town of Havana, North Dakota, Donavon lived a life of independence on a path traveled by few.
In 1958, he was joined in matrimony with...
Juanita Jean Lorentz
Jan 25, 2025
Juanita passed at her home in Pelican Rapids on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 at the age 71. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all who know and love her.
There are currently no formal services arranged.
Cynthia Jean Nelson
Jan 8, 2025
Cynthia J Nelson, age 66 of rural Pelican Rapids, MN died Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND.
Cynthia Jean Nelson was born October 7, 1958, in Moorhead to Ruben and Ruby Lattimore (Martin). She grew up in Moorhead and attended Moorhead High School. For many years, she worked for the Good Samaritan Center. Cindy had been disabled...
Elenore Marlys Kubitz
Jan 2, 2025
Elenore Marlys Kubitz, age 89, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on January 2, 2025, at Essentia Health in Fargo, North Dakota. She was known to all as Marlys and was born on February 3, 1935, in Erhard’s Grove Township of rural Pelican Rapids to Walter and Ruth (Johnson) Backstrom.
She spent her youth attending District 288 Country School, laboring on the...
Timothy "Hok" Herbert Haukebo
Dec 20, 2024
Timothy ‘Hok’ Herbert Haukebo, age 73, of Pelican Rapids, passed away surrounded by his loving family on December 20, 2024, at Diamond Willow Assisted living in Detroit Lakes.
Timothy was born January 29, 1951, in Pelican Rapids to Herbert and Olive (Thompson) Haukebo. Timothy was baptized at Bagstevolt (Grace Lutheran) Church and later confirmed at Trinity Lutheran in Pelican Rapids. He...
Donna J. Jongeward
Dec 16, 2024
Donna J. Jongeward, age 80, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died on December 16, 2024, at her home on Lake Lida.
Donna was born August 26, 1944, the daughter of Everett and Henrietta (Scofield) Annis in Minot, ND. She attended grade school in Fargo, ND and attended high school in Jamestown, ND. She then went to beauty school in Jamestown, ND at...
Donald Ronngren
Dec 8, 2024
Donald Duane Ronngren, age 85, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.
Born on August 28, 1939, in Jamestown, ND, he was the son of Arnold and Emma (Baana) Ronngren. Donald spent his formative years near Jamestown and graduated from Barnesville High School in 1957. Following his graduation, he proudly served in the Air...
Gary Duane Toftely
Oct 31, 2024
Gary Duane Toftely, born January 27, 1938, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024, surrounded by family. He was the son of Maurice L. and Beryl A. (Ebersviller) Toftely.
Gary grew up in Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, enjoying an outdoor life of hunting, fishing, and skiing. His family moved to Riverton, Wyoming, in 1954, and he graduated from...
Wesley Dean Johnson
Oct 27, 2024
Wesley Dean Johnson passed away due to health issues at Pelican Valley Nursing Home on Sunday, October 27th, 2024.
Wes was born March 24, 1945, in Pelican Rapids, MN to Elrick and Emma Johnson. He attended and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School. After high school, Wes began his lifelong farming career east of Pelican Rapids with his dad and brother,...
