A daughter of Rainy Lake, Connie was born July 10, 1946 in Littlefork, MN to Clara and George Finstad of Ranier, Minnesota. She died unexpectedly August 12, 2022 on Finstad Lane in Ranier just 200 hundred feet from where she grew up.
Robert (Bob) Piekarski floated away in calm water into the eternal lake of abundance on Sunday, August 7th. Bob entered the world, fishing rod in hand, on April 16th, 1940, where he would begin his lifelong journey of securing the title of “World’s Greatest Fisherman”, by certified unofficial ranking of family and friends. Bob was born to Tony and Tillie Piekarski (of Polish and Italian descent, respectively) in a quiet (to the outside) modest and loving home on 13th avenue in International Falls. The inside of Bob’s home growing up was nothing short of chaotic. A dad who owned Piekarski construction funded by the hard work of Bob, a mom who at 4’9” yielded a butcher’s knife to accurately emphasize the most important points in all conversation, and brothers and a sister who all shared handme downs and walked to school uphill in snowstorms both ways. Bob’s school years consisted of boot hockey, taunting the nuns and showing off the ruler scars on his knuckles as proof. Some of his fondest memories were of caretaking the 8th street rink and letting the boys lock up… “and don’t forget to turn off the lights”. He always felt pride in watching the local hockey develop on that rink and shared in all of the success. He never let us forget that he was a proud member of the PeeWee hockey team invited to Boston in 1952. His greatest love growing up was hunting and fishing. The stories of hunting and fishing trips with friends and family along with the trophies as proof will always be a testament to his talents for the generations to come.
Stanley Orville Lukenbill, 90 year old long time resident of Big Falls, MN, current resident of Royalton, MN, died Wednesday, August 3. There will be no funeral per his wishes, he will be laid to rest at Gremmel Cemetery at a later date. Stanley was born March 5, 1932 to the late David and Cora (Cook) Lukenbill in Orth, Minnesota. As a young boy his family moved to Spokane, WA to be closer to family. After the death if his mother he moved back to Minnesota. He was drafted into the United States Army and served his Country for two years and was honorably discharged. He met the love of his life Esther McMillen, and they were married on April 16, 1960 in Cloquet, MN. The couple made their home near Big Falls, MN for over 60 years. Stanley worked for Page & Hill Forest Products for over 50 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and other outdoor activities.
James “Jim” Herman, age 75, passed away peacefully on July 30th, 2022 at Marywood Memory Care in Duluth, Minnesota. Jim was born in International Falls, Minnesota and graduated from Falls High School in 1964. He attended Bemidji State University. He joined the Air Force in 1967 and was deployed to Thailand during the Vietnam War. He met the love of his life, Shirley, while stationed at the Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah. He married her on March 6th, 1971 and moved to International Falls, Minnesota. They went on to have three children, Amy (Chad) Eichers, Jeff (Jacinta) Herman, and Kristi (Lars) Herman Hill. He was a very involved father and never missed a concert or game to support his kids. He trained to become an electrician at Boise Cascade in International Falls and was a lifelong master electrician, known as the guy who could fix anything. In 1987, he was hired on the start-up team at Lake Superior Paper Industries and moved the family to Duluth. After retiring in 2009, he became involved in several volunteer activities around Duluth. Jim was a passionate Democrat and spent countless hours volunteering with the DFL and Veterans for Peace. He also served on the Building and Appeals Board for the City of Duluth and the board of the Citizens Federation. Jim was most proud of his five years volunteering his electrician skills to help build the Bentleyville “Tour of Lights” when it moved to Bayfront in Duluth.
Donavan Skifstad went to be with his Lord and Savior on June 12, 2022. He passed surrounded by his loving family.
James Skifstad, 72 of Esko went to be with his Lord Jesus, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a struggle with COVID-19. Jim was born in Fort Frances, Ontario to Reverend Earl and LaVerne Skifstad. He was raised in Big Falls, MN until his senior year, graduating from Northome High School in 1967. Jim met his future wife at Covenant Bible College in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. After graduating, he worked at Boise Cascade in International Falls until 1970 when he married Joy Peterson in Ellsworth, WI. They then moved to Milwaukee, WI where Jim earned his AAS in Telecasting at Milwaukee Area Technical College. They settled in Duluth, MN where Jim worked at WDIO until being hired by the DM&IR Railroad. It was a good fit, and he enjoyed the variety of his work there, first in the Track Department and later in Bridge and Building. He retired 26 years later.
On July 18th, 2022, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family at his home in Port Orchard, WA, Ray Olson peacefully left this life for his eternal life with God Our Father in Heaven.
Gerald Lloyd Morrison was born April 21, 1940, in Rat Root Township, Koochiching County, MN. Passed away July 24, 2022, at Carefree Living in Virginia MN. Preceded in death by parents Lloyd and Elsa Morrison and Gerald’s beloved wife Elisa Louise. Gerald is survived by many close friends. After leaving Minnesota, Gerald served in the U. S. Army in Germany. He then went on to spend most of his life in California where he was involved in law enforcement and ranching. Anyone who met Gerry was taken by his magnetic personality and wide array of interests. He was an actor, private investigator, violin and bow maker, yacht designer, horse breeder and most recently the founder of the C_6 Sheep Ranch in Cook MN. After leaving California he came back to Minnesota to live out his dream to be a shepherd on his C_6 Sheep Ranch. His health prevented him from fulfilling his dream but the friends he made in the Cook area will never forget him. Gerry taught all of us to dream. Thanks Gerry. A special thanks to all the caregivers at Carefree Living in Virginia. You took this colorful personality into your hearts and made him feel part of a family. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 2:00PM at Mlaker Funeral Home, Cook, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 1:00 PM. Online condolences to www.mlakerfuneralhome.com
On the morning of July 22, 2022 Mary went home to be with the Lord after a courageous battle with cancer. Mary was born in Mankato, MN on December 2, 1946. Mary later moved to Littlefork where she attended school. It was there she met and married her high school sweetheart Larry Keep. They were married on September 16, 1966 and had two sons Larry Allen and Michael. They lived in Minneapolis for several years before returning to the Littlefork area. They shared their love and marriage of 55 years together.
On Friday, July 22, 2022 Marilyn Gay Nordlum passed away at her home in International Falls, Minnesota. The same house she grew up in and loved.