Obituaries

Craig J. Theede, 34, died Friday, April 30 in a car accident while returning home to Grand Forks, ND from work at his chiropractic practice in Crookston, MN. Craig was born in La Crosse, WI to Denny and Lonna (Pladson) Theede. He grew up in La Crescent, MN where he developed many life-long friendshi…

Karen Anne Arel, 61, of Crookston passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021, at the University of Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis, MN, of cancer. Karen was born on April 9, 1960, in Crookston, MN, the youngest of 8 children born to Frank and Eva (Surprenant) Arel.  She was raised in Crookston attending S…

Stella Vakoch, 87, of rural Ada, MN, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021 at Benedictine Living Community in Ada. Stella Mae Severtson was born September 3, 1933 on her family farm near Lake Park, MN. She moved with her family as a young girl to Bremerton, WA, where her parents worked for the War […

Shirley Lois Rockstad, age 99, of Ada, MN, died April 27, 2021, at Benedictine Care Community in Ada, where she called home for the past four years. The firstborn to Gust and Petra (Ramstad) Rockstad, Shirley was born April 5, 1922, and raised on the farm west of Ada. She was baptized at Concordia L…

Clara “Jean” Boyle, age 81, of Crookston, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 29, 2021, at the Villa St. Vincent Nursing Home with her family by her side. Clara “Jean” Boyle was born in St. Joseph, LA, October 8, 1939 to George and Evie Haston.  She was the youngest of five children. In 1…

Darlene M. Gast, 73, Fertile, MN, passed away on Monday, April 26, 2021, at her residence surrounded by family and under the care of Hospice. Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Monday, May 3, 2021, at Resurrection Free Lutheran Church, Beltrami, MN, following all of the Minnesota and CDC COVID-19 social dis…

Sheryl Rae “Sherry” O’Gorman, 71, of Maricopa, AZ, passed away in a Phoenix hospital on December 2, 2020, after bravely battling cancer for several months.  Sherry was born in Crookston, MN on July 18, 1949, the daughter of Mel and Rosie Hoeft. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic C…

Merle Norman Rafteseth, 91, of Crookston, MN, passed away early Friday morning, April 23, 2021, in the Benedictine Living Community-Crookston with his beloved wife, Ruth, at his side. Merle was born in Thief River Falls, MN on March 11, 1930, one of four children of the union of Hjalmer and Nellie (…

Blaid Halverson, 62, of Twin Valley, MN, died peacefully Friday, April 23, 2021, at the Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, with his family by his side. Blaid Ervin Halverson was born December 13, 1958, in Ada, MN, the son of Allan and Norma (Groslie) Halverson. He was raised with his family in Twin Vall…

Ardelle Thronson, age 93, of Gary, MN, died on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Fair Meadow Nursing Home, Fertile, MN. Ardelle G. Halland was born on September 12, 1927, to Adolph and Gina (Ramberg) Halland at home in Waukon Township, rural Gary. She attended country school and graduated with the cla…