Obituaries
Heidi Lee Brakefield
Dec 9, 2023
Heidi Lee Brakefield, born on September 18, 1970, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away on December 9, 2023, in Moorhead, Minnesota at the age of 53. She was the daughter of Thomas and Barbara Brakefield.Heidi had a zest for life that was infectious to all who knew her. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1989 and pursued her passion...
Nona Ione Rick
Dec 7, 2023
Nona Ione Rick, a cherished resident of Lake Ida near Cormorant, MN, passed away at Essentia Health on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the age of 84. Born on December 11, 1938, to her parents Andrew and Selma Boesen, Nona lived a life filled with love, laughter, and resilience.
Growing up near Rothsay, Nona graduated from Breckenridge High School before...
William "Bill" Charles Poss
Nov 26, 2023
William Charles Poss, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully, November 26, 2023, at the age of 88, under the compassionate care of SMP Health-St. Catherines South of Fargo, ND, and Hospice of the Red River Valley.
William “Bill” was born to Herman and Adeline (Bunkowski) Poss on March 10, 1935, in Dunn Township, MN. He was...
Carol Ardith Toso
Nov 15, 2023
Carol (Ouren) Toso passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at the Pelican Valley nursing home, circled by family and love.
Carol Ardith Ouren was born December 31, 1933 to Peder and Myrtle Ouren on the family farm outside of Erhard, Minnesota. She was baptized at South Immanuel Lutheran Church, and throughout her life South Immanuel held a very special place in...
Linda Strubbe
Nov 12, 2023
Linda Strubbe, age 72, of Pelican Rapids, MN, died on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Pelican Valley Senior Living, Pelican Rapids, MN.
Linda Rose was born on October 23, 1951, to Clarence and Gladys (Haugtvedt) Berg in Pelican Rapids, MN. She grew up in rural Barnesville, MN, and attended Pelican Rapids High School, Pelican Rapids, MN. She worked at Good...
Patti Sonmor
Nov 11, 2023
Patti A. Sonmor, 77, died November 11, 2023, at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota with her loving family by her side.
Patti was born July 30, 1946, in Omaha, Nebraska the daughter of Robert and Catherine (Anksorus) Christiansen. Patti attended school in Coon Rapids, Iowa graduating in 1964. Patti served in the U.S. Army in 1964-1966.
Patti was united...
Lyle Raymond Pederson
Nov 2, 2023
Lyle R Pederson, a beloved member of the Pelican Rapids community, peacefully passed away on November 2, 2023, at the age of 74. His departure has left a void in the hearts of all who knew him. Lyle will be remembered for his remarkable character, kind heart, and unwavering dedication to his family and community.
Born on February 17, 1949,...
Scott Elmer Backstrom
Nov 1, 2023
Scott Elmer Backstrom, 56, of Pelican Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on November 1st, 2023. Born on October 17th, 1967, in Fergus Falls, MN, Scott was the son of Elroy and Leone (Anderson) Backstrom. He grew up in Pelican Rapids and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School. Scott attended Thief River Falls Technical College where he nurtured his passion for...
Kelly Thomas Brakefield
Oct 31, 2023
Kelly Thomas Brakefield, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Born on June 8, 1973, to Thomas and Barbara Brakefield, Kelly led a life filled with adventure, hard work, and cherished moments with his loved ones. He brought warmth and laughter to every room he entered and left an...
David McCulloch
Oct 21, 2023
David Marshall McCulloch, age 80, of Pelican Rapids, MN, passed away on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Ecumen Memory Care Cottage in Detroit Lakes, MN with his loving family by his side.
David was born in Fargo, ND, on August 7, 1943, to Royal (“Mac”) and Alice (Piper) McCulloch. He was baptized and confirmed at First United Methodist Church, Fargo,...
Elvin "Budd" Earl Andrews
Oct 18, 2023
Elvin "Budd" Earl Andrews, a beloved member of the Pelican Rapids community, entered eternal rest on October 18, 2023, at the age of 102. Born on December 22, 1920, in Hurley, South Dakota, Budd was the second son of Henry and Alta (Piper) Andrews.
Budd's life was marked by a deep commitment to his family, education, and community. He spent...
Leona Regina Braton
Oct 18, 2023
Leona Braton, age 96, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Sanford Hospice House in Fargo, North Dakota.
Leona Regina was born on May 18, 1927, to John and Julia (Koch) Greufe in Lustre, Montana. She attended Wolf Creek and Lustre Montana grade schools and graduated from Wolf Point High School in 1945. Leona worked...
Orville Shannon
Sep 28, 2023
Orville Patrick Shannon, a beloved member of the Pelican Rapids community and a dedicated teacher, passed away at his home on September 28, 2023, at the age of 80. Born on May 26, 1943, in Brainerd, Minnesota, the son of his loving parents, Orville and Margaret (Cronin) Shannon. Orville lived a life characterized by passion, service, and kindness.
With a...
Mildred Sherrel Gilbertson
Sep 19, 2023
Mildred Sherrel Gilbertson, affectionately known as Sherrel, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at the age of 80, at her home near Dent, MN with her loving family by her side.
Sherrel was born on April 22, 1943, to her parents William and Evelyn (Miller) Skinner. She grew up in California and graduated from Oxnard High School. After...
Leslie Gene Langseth
Sep 11, 2023
On September 11, 2023, Leslie (Les) Gene Langseth passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Pelican Valley Nursing home in Pelican Rapids, MN. He was 86 years old.
Les is survived by his wife Geraldine Langseth, his two children Lee (Vina) Langseth, Lynne (Corey) Stockstad and his three grandchildren Logan Langseth, Sam (Abby) Stockstad, Noelle (Ryan) Ames and...
Douglas Kermit Berg
Sep 6, 2023
Douglas Berg, age 75, of Pelican Rapids, MN died on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at Essentia Health St. Mary’s, Detroit Lakes, MN with his loving family by his side.
Doug was born on February 13, 1948, to Norman and Inez (Randklev) Berg. He graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1966 and then enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and...
Michael James Westby
Aug 29, 2023
Michael Westby, age 66, of Moorhead, MN died on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at home surrounded by loved ones while receiving care through Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Michael was born to Ordean and Audrey (Rollie) Westby at Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids, MN. The oldest of 7 boys on a farm, Mike learned the love of...
Ruth Mildred Myers
Aug 27, 2023
Ruth Mildred Olson Halliday Myers died on August 27, 2023 at her Eventide Sheyenne Crossings residence. She was 87. Ruth Olson was born in Pelican Rapids, MN on January 13, 1936 to Orlando and Mildred Olson. She attended Pelican Rapids High School where she was involved with many activities. She graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1953 and...
Ryan Edward Syverson
Aug 18, 2023
Ryan Syverson, 51, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota died on Friday, August 18, 2023, at his home with his loving family by his side.
Ryan Edward Syverson was born February 29, 1972, the son of Edward and Barbara (Bement) Syverson in Detroit Lakes, MN. He was special from the moment he was born having a leap day birthday! He was baptized...
Valerie Smischny
Aug 15, 2023
Valerie was born March 30, 1932, in Fort Scott, KS, to James Wheeler and Marie E. (Hergenreder) McKee. She was baptized and confirmed in Fort Scott, KS. where she attended elementary school. At the beginning of high school, she moved with her family to Chipeta Park, CO. It was there that Val met Dean Smischny, who would soon become the...
