First Name: Last Name:

James H. Benesch, 67, currently of Kenwood Avenue, Duluth, died Monday, Oct. 26, 1998, in his home. He was born Dec. 23, 1930, in St. Paul, Minn., and had resided in the South Range area since 1970. He was employed as an equipment operator by the Town of Oakland for many years before retirement. He was a former fire chief for the Town of Oakland, a member of the Country Lanes Bowling League of Duluth and the Superior Senior Men’s Bowling League affiliated with the Village Bowl in the Village of Superior. He was also previously employed by Schmidt Brewery and Kraemer Springs and Alignment Center, both in the St. Paul area. Surviving are two sons, James (Mary) Benesch and Wayne (Shelly) Benesch, both of South Range; five daughters, Danielle (John) Townsend of Landfallterrace (St. Paul), Patricia (Bill) Casey, Ramsey, Minn., Susan Gantzer, Circle Pines, Minn., Caroline Lahoud, Superior, and Kathleen Benesch, Superior; three brothers, Norb (Maxine) Benesch, St. Paul, Bernard (Eileen) Benesch, St. Paul, and Greg (Marilyn) Benesch, Lake Elmo, Minn.; three sisters, Cyrilla Lyman, St. Paul, Jeanne (Don) Murphy, North St. Paul, and Mary Jo (Mike) Mandell, Taylors Falls, Minn.; a special companion, Pat Cashin, Duluth; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. His wife, Mary, preceded him in death. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Friday in the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home and continues Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. funeral in the Darrow Road Wesleyan Church. Pastor Mark Holmes will officiate. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Virginia M. Cronin, 79, Superior, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born July 24, 1919, in Superior, she had been a longtime South Superior resident. She graduated from nursing school in Chicago and was a registered nurse in the U.S. Army with the rank of lieutenant, serving during World War II in the India and Burma campaigns. She received the American Theatre ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with one bronze star, a victory medal and three overseas service bars. She had been employed as a registered nurse with the former Heisel and Weisberg medical practice for many years and also as a private nurse. She was a member of Holy Assumption Catholic Church. Surviving are a daughter, Kim (Wayne) Johnston, Superior; one granddaughter, Kacy Johnston, and a grandson, Michael Johnston, both of Superior; and her mother-in-law, Catherine Cronin, Superior. She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Metz Christman, her husband, John D. Cronin in 1996 and a brother, Robert Christman. A memorial Mass is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Holy Assumption Catholic Church with Fr. George Votruba as celebrant. Visitation will be in the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be in the family lot in Calvary Cemetery. Downs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

William J. Bach, 83, a lifelong resident of Superior, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998, at his Mesa, Ariz., residence following a lengthy illness. He was born Feb. 28, 1915, in Superior, after which he and his family moved to Duluth, where he graduated from Duluth Central High School. Bach was a 1st sergeant in the 125th FA Battalion, serving in Italy and North Africa from 1941-45. He retired from the former Great Northern Railroad as yardmaster in 1975. He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. Surviving are his wife of 53 years, the former Mary June Whalen; two daughters, Patricia Mulyck of Mesa and Christine Smith, Solon Springs; a son, William Bach, South Range; five granddaughters; three grandsons; a brother, James Bach, Duluth; two sisters, June O’Keefe, Duluth, and Virginia Cardone, Sun City West, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Viola Bach, and two brothers, Robert and Gordon. A memorial service is pending.

Lorraine R. “Joanie” Raske, 84, died on Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998, at the Pleasant View Nursing Home in Phillips. She was born on Jan. 26, 1914, the daughter of James and Caroline (Ranvig) Jonasen, in Greney, Minn. She moved as a young lady with her family to the Superior area, where she graduated from Superior East High School as class valedictorian. She then attended Superior State Teachers College, where she received her teacher’s certificate in math and biology. She was employed by the Phillips High School as a math and biology teacher for many years prior to her retirement. She was married to William Raske in Phillips on Sept. 12, 1947. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Phillips, the Phillips Area Regional Writers and the American Legion Auxiliary in Phillips. In her free time she enjoyed the outdoors with her husband Bill and was also interested in following the careers of her pupils. She is survived by two brothers, Ralph (Ruth) Jonasen, Ladysmith, and Robert (Doris) Jonasen, Superior; and 11 nephews and one niece. She was preceded in death by her husband William on Nov. 20, 1982, and by three sisters, Jewell Mohagen, Helen Johnson and Dorothy Connell. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the St. John Lutheran Church, Phillips, with Pastor Timothy Schueler officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Phillips. Friends may call after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Heindl Funeral Home, Phillips.

William H. Oranger, 83, of 1800 New York Ave., died Friday, Oct. 23, 1998, in St. Francis Home in the Park. Born May 6, 1915, in Superior, he was a lifelong city resident. He had been employed as a welder by Berwind Coal and Clyde Iron Works. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Aad Temple of the Shrine, Acacia-Itasca Lodge No. 329, F&AM, and Knights Templar. Surviving are two sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Williams Lamb (Leonard “Bud” Lamb), Culver, Minn., and Dorothy (Karen) Lindgren, Grand Rapids, Mich.; a brother, Russell J. (Alice) Nelson, Wimberly, Texas; a special niece, Diane Pemble; and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two wives, Florence and Billie, his mother, Marie Berg Nelson, two sisters, Martha Koenen and Marie Thompson, and two brothers, Ronald and Iver Nelson. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday in Bethel Lutheran Church, where visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Rev. Richard Peterson will officiate, with interment to be in Greenwood Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church. Downs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Russell Whalen, 78, Sandpoint, Idaho, formerly of Superior, died Sunday, June 29, 1998, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash. A memorial service took place at 1 p.m. Monday, July 6 at Coffelt’s Moon Chapel, Sandpoint. He was born in Superior on March 18, 1920, a son of George and Elsa (Hedberg) Whalen, and graduated from high school in Superior. He received his bachelor’s degree from Edina Teachers College and his master’s degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin. He served with the U.S. Army in the European theater of operations during World War II. As a member of the U.S. Army Band, he performed for Gen. George Patton, President Franklin Roosevelt, English Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. He married Patricia Naud and they moved to Priest River, Idaho, in 1961 with their three children. In 1964, the family moved to Sandpoint where he taught band, choir and guitar at Sandpoint High School and beginning band at area grade schools. He retired from the Bonner County School District in 1985. In the early 1940s, Whalen and his twin brother, Bill, toured with the Beverly Twins All Twin Orchestra. The MCA Jazz band was comprised of seven sets of identical twins. In the mid 1960s, along with Sandpoint organist Don LaMoreaux, he formed “Variations, ” a four-piece dance band. This band was a favorite for over 30 years at the Hayden Lake Country Club, the Davenport Hotel and the Ridpath Hotel. Following the death of his wife, Patricia, he married Ethel Rojan in 1982. He enjoyed photography, founding the Sandpoint Camera Club, and was a member of the Spokane Valley Camera Club for many years. An avid trapshooter, he shot weekly at the Sandpoint Gun Club and was a past president of the club. He had also competed at the national level in shooting trap. He was a member of the “Swing Street Band, ” a Sandpoint jazz group, and the Sandpoint Elks Lodge BPOE No. 1376. He also still taught private music lessons. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; a son, Steven Whalen, Glendale, Calif.; two daughters, Katy Calios, Morgan Hill, Calif., and Amy Whalen, Sandpoint; a stepson, Rodney Rojan, Lewiston, Idaho; two grandchildren, Cameron and Samantha Calios, Morgan Hill; his twin brother, Bill Whalen, Belmont, Calif.; and two nephews.

Luke Aaron Stanek, 22, a resident of the Town of Gordon, died Monday, Oct. 26, 1998, at his home following a courageous fight against cancer. Born Feb. 23, 1976, in Duluth to Barry and Lorraine (Schottler) Stanek, he graduated from Northwood High School, Minong, in 1994, where he loved playing basketball for the Northwood Evergreens. He graduated in architectural drafting from WITC-Rice Lake campus in 1996 and had been employed as a draftsman for the past two years at Wausau Homes in Wausau. He was a member of the American Association of Architects and Northwoods Community Church. Survivors include his parents, Barry and Lorraine Stanek of Gordon; two brothers, Andrew Stanek, Tepic, Mexico, and Evan Stanek, Gordon; his paternal grandfather, Bernard Stanek, and his maternal grandmother, Lucy Schottler, both of Austin, Minn.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Northwoods Community Church with Rev. Milton Holmquist officiating. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Brown Funeral Home in Solon Springs and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Gordon Memorial Cemetery. Casket bearers will be Greg Wallis, Brad Kofal, Troy Johnson, John Post, Ben Swanson and Tyler McCumber. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Northwoods Community Church.

James C. Sauter, 71, a retired Great Lakes port official from northern Wisconsin, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998, at the Munroe Regional Medical Center, Ocala, Fla. Born Jan. 10, 1927, in Superior to Clarence and Marie Sauter, he had resided in Summerfield, Fla., for the past 13 years. Sauter was a Navy veteran of World War II, past president of the Superior Jaycees and his memberships included Superior Elks Lodge No. 403, VFW Post No. 8083, Moose Lodge No. 1014, the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and the American Legion. He was also past president of the Ocala Central Good Sam's camping association and the Port of Duluth Propeller Club. He served as a director of the Superior-Douglas County Development Association for 10 years and the Superior Police and Fire Commission for 12 years. An Eagle Scout, Sauter remained active in the Boy Scouts of America for over 30 years. He spent the majority of his career involved in waterfront activities on the Great Lakes, including owning and operating a stevedoring contracting company in the Twin Ports and serving as port director for both Superior and in Ogdensburg, N.Y. After purchasing the Poplar Golf Course in 1964, he developed it into the area’s first complete camping and recreation area. Survivors include his wife, Marlene of Summerfield; sons, Tim (Nannette) Sauter, Superior, Jeff (Donna) Sauter, Eau Claire, and Mark (Cynthia) Sauter, Midland, Mich.: a daughter, Mary Kay, Superior; and stepchildren, Ken White, Anoka, Minn., and Jim White and Laurie (Paul) Tousignant, both of Superior; a brother, Thomas (Dolores) Sauter, Milwaukee; and 13 grandchildren. Visitation will be held Sunday, Nov. 15 from 5-7 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home, Superior, with an Elks memorial service scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The family would appreciate any memorials being directed to United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).

Marlen E. Peterson, 68, of San Diego, Calif., died in her birthplace of Superior on Aug. 5, 1998. She was born Jan. 4, 1930 and graduated from Superior Central High School in 1948. After earning a bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior, she obtained a master of science degree and completed postgraduate studies in physical education. She served as a physical education teacher for 38 years in Wisconsin, Oregon and California. She was active in many civic organizations, including the Lions Club, where she served as president and regent. She enjoyed travel and animals. She was preceded in death by her father, Leonard E. Peterson, her mother, Margaret Kenville Crawford, and two brothers, Leonard R. and Harter W. Peterson. She is survived by a half-brother, Kenneth Crawford, of Los Angeles; a special friend, Joan Miller; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A private memorial service was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. David West, as well as at the San Diego Lions Club.

Anselm Harold "Hans" Maki Sr., 70, of 137 N. Hwy 131, Stetsonville, Wis., died Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1998, in Lincoln County as the result of an automobile accident. A memorial service took place at 11 a.m. today in First Baptist Church, Medford, with Pastor Charles Butt officiating. Full military honors were conducted by the Boxrucker-Berry American Legion Post #519 following the service. Maki was born on Aug. 20, 1928, in Marengo, to Alpi & Aurora (Harju) Maki. He attended the Marengo Grade School and High School. He had served in the U.S. Army and later in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War from 1947 until 1955, achieving the rank of Airman First Class. He was united in marriage to the former Carol Harper on Jan. 24, 1955; they later were divorced. He was united in marriage to the former Edna P. Smith Jackson in Las Vegas, Nev., on March 31, 1969. Maki was an accomplished musician. In the early 1960's, he taught Wayne Newton several different methods of playing guitar. He played at the Ashland County Fair for several years. He was known for his singing pups. He, along with his wife, Edna, playing bass, enjoyed entertaining veterans and residents of Memorial Nursing Home of Taylor County. For the past 20 years, he and his wife, Edna had been the owners and operators of the Midway Tavern in Stetsonville. He was a member of Boxrucker-Berry American Legion Post #519, Stetsonville, the National Rifle Association, Wisconsin Tavern League, Taylor County Tavern League and the Stetsonville Volunteer Fire Department. Survivors include one son, Anselm Harold (Anne) Maki Jr. of Mission Bay, Calif.; four daughters; Pamela (Mark) Staszek of Tucson, Ariz., Brenda (Greg) Beseth of Apache Junction, Ariz., Betsy Maki of Tucson, and Laura Jean (Buddy) Rhodes of Bullhead City, Ariz; one sister-in-law, Ida Maki of Superior; 10 grandchildren; one step-grandson, three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna, brothers and sisters from Wisconsin and a step-son Robert Stackhouse. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in care of the family. The Dallmann-Kniewel Funeral Home in Rib Lake handled arrangements.

Ida Irene Smith, 93, formerly of Minong, died Friday, Oct. 23, 1998, at Chandler Health Care Center in Chandler, Ariz. She was born July 11, 1905, in Meadville, Wis., to Herman and Anna (Lassi) Hill. She had been the treasurer of the Town of Minong for many years and had worked at the Super Valu Store in Minong. Survivors include two daughters, Betty Crawford, Chandler, and Patricia (Jim) Braaten, Olympia, Wash.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ellen Cunningham, East Peoria, Ill. She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, in 1969; two sisters, Mary and Alma, and three brothers, Arvo, Elmer and Reynold. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minong, with Rev. Craig Nelson officiating. Private interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Minong. Arrangements are being handled by the Brown Funeral Home. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church.

Carol Ann Plachta, 45, of East Third Street, Duluth, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998, in St. Mary’s Medical Center. She was born April 2, 1953 in Minneapolis. She married Ronald Plachta in Duluth on May 4, 1984. In addition to her husband, Ronald, she is survived by a daughter, Jill Parantala, Bovey, Minn.; sisters, Marlene Morrison, Duluth, Darlene O’Conner, Minneapolis, Louise (Bill) Ittner, Aurora, Colo., Ruby Fairbanks, Minneapolis, Judy Wilson, Los Angeles, Calif., and Shirley Shield, Chathan, Va.; a brother, Melvin Fairbanks, Minneapolis; two grandchildren; her mother-in-law, June Plachta, South Range; sisters-in-law, Mary Schulz, Superior, June Lauer, South Range, and Carol Androski, Iron River; a brother-in-law, Roger Plachta, Superior; an uncle, Gilbert Jourdais, Minneapolis; and several nieces and nephews. Private family services will be held. Arrangements are by the Johnson Mortuary, Duluth.

Kenneth A. Sievi, 76, of 1210 N. 8th St., died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998, at St. Francis Home in the Park. He was born in Superior Nov. 21, 1921, and had been a lifelong city resident. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater. He retired as a carman for the Soo Line in 1983 after 36 years of service. Surviving are his wife, Marie; two daughters, Lynn (Dave) Gross, Milford, Mich., and Colleen Sievi, Superior; two sons, James (Barbara) Sievi, Superior, and Richard (Peggy) Sievi, Minneapolis; a sister, Betty (James) Hammerbeck, Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Friends may call after 5 p.m. Friday in Downs Funeral Home, where the funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Fr. Dan Dahlberg of Cathedral of Christ the King will officiate. Interment follows in the family lot in St. Francis Cemetery.

Marie A. Sievi, 71, 1210 N. 8th St., died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, in St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth. Born Sept. 8, 1927, in Bayfield, she lived in Superior for most of her life. She had been a member of the former St. Louis Catholic Church and currently a member of Cathedral of Christ the King, where she was a Eucharistic minister. She was a member of the Twin Ports Rosemaling Society and was an avid quilter. Surviving are two daughters, Lynn (Dave) Gross, Milford, Mich., and Colleen Sievi, Superior; two sons, James (Barbara) Sievi, Superior, and Richard (Peggy) Sievi, Minneapolis; four grandchildren, Jennie, Annie, Penny and Billy; one great-grandson, Matthew; two brothers, Clifford Arseneau and Gerald Arseneau, both of Superior; a sister, Isabelle Raymond, Superior; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, on Oct. 28, 1998, her parents, Alec and Catherine (VanderVenter) Arseneau, and a son, John. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in Cathedral of Christ the King with Fr. Dan Dahlberg as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Francis Cemetery. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Downs Funeral Home, with a wake service at 6 p.m. Pallbearers will be Kenny, Tom Jr., Larry, Dick and Gary Raymond and Mike Moss.

Dennis C. Bailey, 61, a former Washburn County Circuit Judge, died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998. He was born July 17, 1937, to Clinton and Henrietta (David) Bailey at Menominee, Mich. His family moved to Green Bay when he was 13. He was a 1955 graduate of Green Bay West High School. He served in the Navy from 1955 until 1959 and was the recipient of the American Spirit Honor Medal. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1963 and his doctorate of law in 1966. He practiced law in Washburn County for over 25 years. He had served as the City Attorney for the City of Spooner and as Assistant District Attorney for Washburn County. He was elected Circuit Judge of Washburn County in 1985 and served on the bench until 1991. He was past president of the Inter-County Bar Association and was a member of the Wisconsin Academy of Trial Lawyers and the Study Committee to the Public Defender Board. He was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Criminal Law Section of the Wisconsin State Bar. He was a member and had served as chairman of the District 11 Professional Responsibility Committee of the State Bar of Wisconsin. He was a past president of the Spooner Area Chamber of Commerce, was ticket chairman for the Spooner Heart of the North Rodeo for 13 years, served on the Board of Directors for the Spooner Community Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home for over 20 years and was elected its president from 1978 until 1992. He was a past president of St. Francis de Sales Home & School Association, was elected to two terms of its Parish Council and served as a trustee of the church. He is survived by five daughters, Susan (Lance) Paulson, La Cross, Kimberly (Nick) Madison of Amery, Cathleen (Gary) Colbert, Spooner, Jennifer Bailey, Waukesha, and Sarah Bailey, Birchwood; eight grandchildren; his mother, Henrietta Bailey, Green Bay; a brother, John Bailey, Green Bay; one sister, Patricia (Wilbert) DeGuire, Fond du Lac; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Clinton, and a nephew, Robert DeGuire. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m. Monday at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Spooner, with Fr. John P. Slowey as celebrant. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Spooner, with military rites to be accorded by the Spooner Area Veteran's Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Sunday at the Scalzo Funeral Home, Spooner, with a 7 p.m. Scripture service.

Arthur D. Spoolman, 75, a resident of Spooner, formerly of Hayward, died on Monday, Oct. 26, 1998, at the Spooner Health System. He was born on March 6, 1920, to Jacob and Ethel (Dodge) Spoolman in Ranier, Ore. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II. On Feb. 21, 1944, he was united in marriage to Betty Harmon. He was a teacher in Hayward from 1948-1956, the principal in Cumberland from 1956-1967, and District Superintendent at Hayward from 1967-1983. He and his wife remained in Hayward until moving to Spooner in 1988. Surviving are his wife, Betty; three sons, John (Rose) Spoolman of Plymouth, Minn., Richard (Nancy) Spoolman of Rapid City, S.D., and Scott (Gail) Spoolman of Madison; a daughter, Amy (Mike) Lanphear of McFarland, Wis.; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; a brother, Ralph Spoolman of Superior; and two sisters, Beulah Scheffer of East Lansing, Mich., and Ruth Stroshane of Menlo Park, Calif. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Jean, three brothers, Henry, Allen and Jacob, and one sister, Julia. A memorial service will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Spooner, with Pastor Don Gribble officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. A private family burial will take place at a later time in the Spooner Cemetery. Dahl Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to the Spooner United Methodist Church or the Spooner Hospice Program.

Victor Henry King, 90, died on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 28, 1998, at the Clairemont Nursing Home, Eau Claire. He was born on March 9, 1908, on a farm in the Hardscrabble/Blue Hills area east of Rice Lake, the son of Gideon LeRoi (”the King" in English) of St. Alphonse, Quebec, Canada, and Lena Hetzennekkar, of Regensburg, Germany. He was the youngest of five surviving children, and was the only one of the children to have been born in a frame house; all of the others were born in a tent, covered wagon, or log cabin. He attended a one-room country elementary school in the Blue Hills area and graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1927, where he was a running back on the football team. After high school, he moved to Chicago, and worked as a shipping clerk for the Owl Drug Company. This aroused his Interest in the profession of pharmacy. He enrolled in the University of Illinois School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1932 with a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry. He became a licensed and registered pharmacist (R. Ph.) in Wisconsin and Florida. On Oct. 20, 1933, he married Madeline Ramona Favell of Superior and Rice Lake. They recently marked their 65th wedding anniversary. Their first store was in Beaver Dam and was known as "Kings' Pharmacy". They opened a second store in Edgerton within a few years and then a third in Elkhorn — the "King and Morgan Drug Store" which he operated with his wife and with his university friend and fellow pharmacist, William Morgan, until 1954. King sold his portion of the Elkhorn store, and moved to Menomonie in 1955 to begin a new career as the Senior Drug and Narcotics Inspector for the State of Wisconsin Pharmacy Regulating Board. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1978 at age 70, having remained licensed, active, and well-known as a pharmacist throughout the state. He loved the outdoors and all kinds of outdoor fun, including hiking, skiing, camping, backpacking, skating, canoeing, fishing, ice fishing, and many other active pursuits. He was active in Boy Scouting as a Den Dad with Den 5 of Pack 23, and as a Troop Committee Member of Troop 23, Menomonie. He was also a Brotherhood Member of the Otyokwa Lodge #337 of the Order of the Arrow, Chippewa Valley Council. His Scouting interests set a model for his son, Tom, and both grandsons, Adam and Seth, who are all Eagle Scouts, and are also members of the Order of the Arrow (as is daughter-in-law, Debbi). He is survived by his wife, Madeline F. King, Eau Claire; his daughter, Karen A. King, Hudson; his son, Thomas W. (Debra R.) King, and grandsons, Adam G. King and Seth T. King, all of Eau Claire. Visitation will be held Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. at Hope United Methodist Church, at the corner of Golf Road and Fairfax Street, Eau Claire, where the funeral will follow at 2:30 p.m. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the King Scholarship Fund at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Foundation, or to the Alzheimer's Association-Indianhead Chapter.

Raymond Johnson, Babbitt, Minn., formerly of Superior, died Wednesday, Oct. 28, 1998, in Lakeshore Lutheran Home in Duluth. He was born Nov. 6, 1921, in Pohlitz, Minn., and graduated from high school. He and the former Katherine Kuntz were married Nov. 15, 1942, in Fort Benning, Ga. Johnson served in World War II in the U.S. Army. He was employed as a pipefitter by Reserve Mining in Babbitt for many years before retiring. He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt, the VFW Post in Babbitt, U.S. Steelworkers Union and was a former member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. Surviving are his wife, Katherine; five sons, Raymond (Pat) Johnson Jr., Anchorage, Alas., Richard (Toni) Johnson, Coon Rapids, Minn., Ronald (Toni) Johnson, Chicago, Robert (Christy) Johnson, Seattle, Wash., and Timothy Johnson, Anoka, Minn.; a daughter, Julie (Shane) Pierce, Asheville, N.C.; a sister, Shirley (Wayne) Saker, Iron River; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Nora Johnson, a brother, Sheldon Johnson, a sister, Lucille Minz, a great-grandson, Benjamin Menor, and his stepfather, Einar Johnson. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Babbitt, where visitation continues Friday from 10:30 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral Mass. Fr. John Sustarsic will be celebrant. Arrangements are by the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home in Superior.

Alice B. Knight, 90, 1800 New York Ave., died Saturday, Oct. 31, 1998, at St. Francis Home in the Park. She was born April 15, 1908, in Chicago, and had been a Superior resident the past three years, moving here from Iroquois, Ill., where she lived most of her life. She had been employed by the U.S. Steel Corporation until retiring in 1973. She and Charles Knight were married on Jan. 3, 1974, in Kankakee, Ill., and they would have observed 25 years of marriage this coming January. Surviving are her husband Charles; two sons, Joseph O’Malley, Milwaukee, and Don O’Malley, Trinidad, Calif.; two daughters, Mary Alice Lawler, Lockport, Ill., and Patricia Egan, Winslow, Ariz.; two stepsons, Dan Knight, in Illinois, and Michael Knight, Partridge, Ill.; two stepdaughters, Rita Sissman, Sioux Village, Ill., and Mary Knight, Superior; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Joan; and a niece, Georgine (Jack) Kare, Iroquois, Ill. A Mass of Christian burial will be at Friday at 1:30 p.m. at Cathedral of Christ the King, Superior, with the Fr. Raymond Schoone as celebrant. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Thursday at William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, with a Scripture service at 7 p.m. Pallbearers will be grandchildren.

Ernest J. Olson, 82, formerly of 1105 Clough Ave., died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 1998, at Beverly Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was born July 24, 1916, in Woodville, Wis., was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, and was employed by the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad for 17 years. He was then employed by the Superior Board of Education, retiring in 1981. He was later elected to the Board of Education Hall of Fame. He was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church of Superior. He is survived by his wife Idelle; a son, John J. of Superior; a brother, Norman of Woodville; one sister, Harriette Berg of Menomonie; and two grandsons, Michael and Joshua, of Duluth. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Thompson-Hegstrom Funeral Home where visitation will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service. The Rev. Roger Bardon will officiate.

Alma Niemi Velin, 88, Hastings, Minn., formerly of Edina, Minn., and Superior, died recently. Surviving are her children, Bruce (Jenny) Velin, Superior, Corla (Daniel) Inskeep of Edina, Gail (Bill) Marshall of Hastings, and Eric (Lura) Velin, Menomonie; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Inez Merisuo of Arkansas; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gust E. Velin. A celebration of her life will be on Sunday, Nov. 8, from 2-5 p.m. at Regina Retirement Center, 1175 Nininger Road, Hastings. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, in the Superior Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 603 Faxon St. Private interment will be in Poplar Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Superior Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Arrangements are being handled by the Cremation Society of Minnesota, Edina Chapel.

Matt H. Aro, 89, of 1109 Clough Ave., died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998, in his residence. He was born Feb. 5, 1909 in Pamarkko, Finland, and came to this country at the age of 5 years, living in Superior for most of his life. He was employed by Globe Elevators as a grain trimmer, retiring in 1974 after 35 years of service. Surviving are three daughters, Delores (Leo) Homich Jr., Superior, Lavern Lindquist, Richmond, Ky., and Brenda (Jack) Allen, of Friendship, Wis.; a son, Courtland Aro, Superior; five grandchildren; a sister, Hazel Little, Superior; and one brother, Ervin (Gerri) Aro, Duluth. His wife, Vienno M., died in 1997. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Downs Funeral Home, where visitation begins at 5 p.m. on Friday. The Rev. Lloyd Mattson will officiate, with interment to be in Iron River City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jack Allen, Ashley, Lindsey and Krista Lindquist and Travis and Toby Berg.

Rollo Allen Dansereau, 69, a resident of the Town of Minong, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998, at Spooner Health Systems. He was born Feb. 17, 1929 at McIntosh, S.D., to Elie and Vida (Rush) Dansereau. On July 29, 1950, he married Barbara Barrett in Osseo, Minn. He served with the Marine Corps during the Korean War where he worked as a helicopter mechanic. He worked as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines before and again after the war, then as a Flight Engineer (2nd Officer), and later became a co-pilot, retiring on Feb. 17, 1989, after working for 39 years. For many years the Dansereaus spent their summers at Scovil Lake, and became residents in 1976. He was a member of the Retired Pilots Association, a lifetime member of the VFW Post No. 1210 in Hastings, Minn., and a member of the Harold A. Smith American Legion Post No. 465 in Minong. Survivors include his wife, Barbara, Minong; three sons, Dan (Val) Dansereau, Providence, Utah, Edmond Dansereau, Minong, and Elie Dansereau, Superior; two daughters, DiAnn, (Pat Rollings) Dansereau, San Antonio, Texas, and Renee (Jim) Kanudson, Wadena, Minn.; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two special children, Stacy and Trisha Thomas; and one sister, Winifred Murphy, Meridian, Idaho. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and five brothers. The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Brown Funeral Home in Minong, where visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Sunday. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Minong. Graveside military honors will be accorded by Harold A. Smith American Legion Post No. 465. Casket bearers will be William Lee II, Ken Barrett, Josh Tanner and Shawn, Aaron and Joseph Dansereau.

Patrick J. O’Brien, 53, of Anoka, Minn., formerly of Superior, died Wednesday, Nov. 4, 1998, at his home. A former Soo Line Railroad employee, he was a Vietnam veteran who received a Purple Heart. He survived by his wife, Nancy, of Anoka; his children, Jeanne, John and Jennifer O’Brien, all of Anoka; three stepsons, Tim, Todd and Terrence Adams, all of Anoka; a stepdaughter, Shawna Velander, of Danbury; two brothers, Edward (Linda) O’Brien of Minneapolis and Michael O’Brien of Illinois; a sister, Dawn Marie Danielson, of Superior; step-sisters Donna (Roy) Meronek of Superior and Darla (Ron) Boortz of Texas; a stepbrother, Terrance (Terri) Anderson of Florida; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Leo E. O’Brien, his stepmother, June O’Brien, and his mother, Dolores Montoya. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Thurston/Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Ave., in Anoka, where visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

John J. Pioro, 75, died Thursday, Nov. 5, 1998, at the Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis. He was born June 24, 1923, to Jacob and Michalina (Kubarek) Pioro in Superior. He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King and the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Superior. He was also a member and past president of the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Fraternal Aid Society. He was employed by the Superior School District for many years as an engineer, having worked at Central Junior High and Superior Senior High School, retiring in 1988. He was previously employed by the former U.S. Steel Plant in Duluth for 25 years. He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines. He also served his county in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, the former Kathleen Artcliff; children, Kathy, Superior, Mary Ellen (Holger) Pederson, Columbia Falls, Mont., Barbara Pioro, Superior, Susan (Dale) Wick, Duluth, David (Kim) Pioro, Superior, Daniel (Ellen) Pioro, Duluth, Robert (Angela) Pioro, Duluth, Ann Marie (Keith) Allen, Superior; grandchildren, Terry, Betty Jo, Kevin, Mark, Rachel, Jennifer, Sarah, Bethany, Elizabeth, Jamie, Jonathan and Kristin; a sister, Ann Harms, Oakland Parks, Ill.; brother, Joseph (Gerry) Pioro, Superior; uncle, Joe Kubarek, Superior; aunts, Angeline Serena, Babbitt, Minn., Margaret Cunningham, Orofino, Idaho; and five great-grandchildren. Visitation began Sunday at 5 p.m. in the William Downs-LeSage Funeral Home where a Catholic rosary service was conducted at 6 p.m. and a Catholic vigil service followed at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Monday in Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church with Fr. Andrew Ricci as celebrant. Burial was in St. Francis Cemetery in Superior.

Margaret Genevieve Fehring, 85, a resident of Minong, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, at the Indianhead Medical Center in Shell Lake. She was born April 30, 1913, in Breckenridge, Minn., to Edward and Mayme (Welch) Connelly. She had been employed as a nurse, and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. She formerly lived in Oconomowoc and was a member of the American Legion Post No. 72 in Sturgeon Bay. Survivors include a son, David (Cassandra Lee) Fehring, Minong; a granddaughter, Cassandra Marie Fehring, Milwaukee; and two sisters, Pat Olson, Fargo, N.D., and Mary Conley, Breckenridge. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester, in 1971, her parents, three sisters and one brother. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Brown Funeral Home in Minong, with Rev. Craig Nelson, pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Minong. Graveside military honors will be accorded by the Harold A. Smith American Legion Post No. 465 in Minong. Casket bearers will be Neil and John Schutz, Lewis Monnier, James Titel, Kevin Lundequam and Scott McDowell.

Nels Johnson, 92, of Cumberland, died Sunday, Nov. 8, 1998, at the Ashland Health and Rehabilitation Center in Ashland. He was born on June 8, 1906, in the Section Ten area of Cumberland to Christ and Bertha (Nelson) Johnson. He was married in Pine City, Minn. on Sept. 12, 1941, to Mildred R. "Bobbie" Olson, who preceded him in death on April 19, 1948. Johnson lived his entire life in the Cumberland area before moving to Ashland in December of 1996 to be closer to his daughter. He was a self-employed painting contractor in the Cumberland area for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, planting trees and his property on Silver Lake. He is survived by one daughter, Rosalind (Tony) Wilhelm of Ashland; two grandsons, Chris Wilhelm of Cumberland and Erik Wilhelm of Madison; one granddaughter, Tonya Wilhelm of Minneapolis; two great-grandsons, Aaron Roffers of Ashland and Paul Wilhelm of Superior; and one sister, Minnie Connors of Siren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a stepson, Fitch Landon, five brothers and seven sisters. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Section Ten Free Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Bergstedt officiating. Burial will be in the East Cumberland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris and Erik Wilhelm, Walt and David Knutson, Vernon Johnson, Tonya Wilhelm and Lynn Reissmann. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland and for one hour before services on Wednesday at the church.