Donovan (Donny) Elmer Johnson, 63, of International Falls, Minn., died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, at St. Luke's Health Center, Duluth, Minn., after battling lung cancer. He was surrounded by his family and friends.
He was born May 18, 1951, in Kittson, Minn., to Elmer and Alyce (Snare) Johnson.
Donny was raised in Karlstad, Minn., and International Falls.
He lived in Montana, Washington and Idaho working various jobs including painting. He also worked at Alco in Warroad, Minn., before returning to International Falls in 1998 to be closer to family. Donny worked at Rig Jig and Servicemaster.
He started his own painting business (Don’s Custom Painting) in which he retired from in 2014 when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
On Aug. 30, 2014, he married his best friend of 16 years, Tammie (Conklin) Lamke.
He enjoyed painting, carpentry, playing Scrabble and Yahtzee, four-wheeling, snowmobiling with grandchildren, spending time with family, fishing, hunting and trapping.
Donny was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Barbara Roberts of Washington, Linda Simonson of Eveleth, Minn., and Beverly Hansen of International Falls; brothers-in-law, Darrell Roberts and Dale Simonson; and mother-in-law, Virginia Conklin of Gilbert, Minn.
Donovan will be sadly missed by his wife, Tammie of International Falls; sons, Travis Louwagie of Garvin, Minn., and Ryan (Teresa) Johnson of Cherry, Minn.; step-daughters, Jorja (Allan) Demuth of Bemidji, Minn., Jenna Bloomquist (Billy Boyd) of International Falls and Ranell Lamke (DJ Erickson) of Superior, Wis.; nine grandchildren, Ashley, Brandon, Daniel, Allisa, Casey, Carter, Carli, Paityn, Easton, and one due in March; brothers-in-law, Walter Hansen of International Falls and Rodney, Randy and Aaron Conklin, all of Gilbert; sister-in-law, Michele (Jerry) Weyandt of Lino Lakes, Minn.; father-in-law, Donald Conklin of Gilbert; many nieces, nephews, friends; and one special friend, Dennis of Halma, Minn.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Green-Larsen Mortuary.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
A memorial service for Marie Senti, 91, of Littlefork, Minn., will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at Littlefork Lutheran Church.
She died Sunday, Feb. 1, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, Minn.
Marie Odloug (Lee) Senti was born in 1923 to Lars and Dorothea Lee in Thief River Falls, Minn.
The family moved to Littlefork, and Marie entered first grade, speaking only Norwegian. She graduated from Littlefork and completed a business course in Minneapolis, Minn.
In 1948 Marie was united in marriage to Charles Senti. They were married 56 years, raising their family in Cross River Township.
Marie was an active member of Littlefork Lutheran Church and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
Never idle, she volunteered, gardened, sewed, quilted, crocheted, played softball, and like all farm women, she baked, cooked, canned, and helped with chores.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; brother, Ole Lee; and sisters, Sigrid Behm, Lena Sjoberg and Margaret Hogquist.
She is survived by son, Ed Senti of Littlefork; and daughters, Kathy Senti of Littlefork and Kris Coulter of Sun City, Ariz., and Littlefork. She is grandmother to Trisha, Ben, Laura, Casey, Korey and Angela; and great-grandma to Lydia, Luke, Micah, Abby and Joshie.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
John E. Cullen, 84, of Danbury, Wis., and formerly of International Falls, Minn., passed away Dec. 19, 2014.
He graduated from Falls High School with the Class of 1949 and then served with the United States Army for three years in Germany.
He was employed by Honeywell Corp. in the Twin Cities until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings; his wife, Jeri; and a stepson, Chuck.
He is survived by three stepchildren, Lonnie, Cathy and Chris.
Graveside military services were conducted in Spooner, Wis.
June Lillian Crotty, 93, of International Falls, Minn., died Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at Rainy Lake Medical Center.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday, June 5, at Faith United Church, International Falls.
A complete obituary and service times will be announced when arrangements have been completed.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
Gladys Welechenko, 85, of International Falls, Minn., died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at Sanford Health Center, Bemidji, Minn.
She was born to Paul and Gladys (Hayner) Reuter on April 11, 1929, in International Falls.
Gladys was united in marriage to Steve Welechenko and had a daughter, Kallie.
Gladys had been a retail clerk at J.C. Penney and also enjoyed gardening and ceramics.
She loved cooking Sunday dinners for her family and spending time with her grandkids.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Virgil Reuter, Paul Reuter and Verner Reuter; and sister, Helen Maki.
Gladys is survived by her daughter, Kallie (Brian) Briggs; grandchildren, Kyra (Brady), Kalsie (Bob) and Shaver (Jackie) Briggs; and great-grandchildren, Kya, Kaeden, Pahtynn and Lucy.
Services were conducted at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at First Lutheran Church, International Falls.
Interment is at Forest Hill Cemetery, International Falls.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
Mass of the Resurrection for Rita Katheryn Eisterhold, 70, of Littlefork, who died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, at Rainy Lake Medical Center, was conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at St. Columban Catholic Church, Littlefork.
Visitation was one hour prior, with Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 9:45 a.m.
Officiating was Fr. Ben Hadrich.
Music was by May Ann Kalar and Tabitha Ubel.
Reader was Cordie Davis and a Presentation of Gifts was by Joe Eisterhold and Jamie Eisterhold.
Casketbearers were Peter Neigebauer, Paul Neigebauer, Adam Neigebauer, David Hamer, Steve Schroeder and John Eisterhold.
Interment will take place at St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery, Laporte.
Arrangements were with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
