All Obituaries

Joseph O’Keefe, Age 80 Longtime Elk River Resident Passed away on June 15, 2021. Preceded in death by 3 brothers, 1 sister; and 2 brothers-in-law. Survived by loving wife of 48 years, Twila (Lebak) O’Keefe; children Joseph (Maria) O'Keefe, Deborah (Sean) Lux, Timothy (Rebecca) O’Keefe and Elizabeth Nelson; 13 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many dear friends. Joe served as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was a member...

At the age of 91 died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of Monday October 12th with her son’s Robert and Randy by her side at Centracare long term care in Monticello Minnesota.  Born on Thursday December 13th 1928 to Evangeline Kluge (Kresal) and Alfred Kluge at the homestead in Livonia Township. Her official birthdate was Friday December 14th 1928 because her father Alfred Kluge could not make it into town until the following day because of a snow storm.  It was...

Age 98, formerly of Coon Rapids.  Passed away on June 12, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Phil Kerssen, Everett Nevala and Morrie Eggum; daughter and son-in-law, Yvonne and Al Nemchik; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Eugene Peroceschi; son and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Mary Kerssen; son-in-law, Randy Patrick; six brothers. Violet is survived by her daughters, Shirley (Perry) Loegering, Marge Patrick; son, Dennis (Diane) Kerssen; brother, Ted (Marianne)...

Hinkle (nee Ray), Gloria June age 95, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2021 at Guardian Angels Care Center. Gloria was born September 20, 1925 in Glasston, ND, to Joseph and Rozena Ray.  She was a life-long learner and teacher, commencing her teaching career in a one-room school at age seventeen.  Her favorite experience was teaching kids with special needs. Gloria married Dick Hinkle on December 22, 1947.  In 1951 they moved from Glasston, ND, to Elk River, MN, where they...

Passed away on June 7, 2021 unexpectedly. She was born January 20, 1958 in Benson, MN, daughter of Donald and Charlene (Zinda) Frederick.  She attended John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington, MN, graduating the class of 1976. Debra married Ronald J. Redmond on May 17, 1980 at Assumption Catholic Church, Richfield, MN. She worked numerous jobs over her life to help sustain the family and activities. Debra was an independent, loving caring person. Debra was mother to daughter,...

Age 87, born in Temvik, ND, lived in Rogers, MN, formerly of Elk River and Columbia Heights passed away surrounded by his family on December 15, 2020. Curtis graduated from high school in Linton, ND and served in the army overseas during the Korean War for two years. He owned and operated ABC Driving School, then worked with the State of Minnesota Highway Department where he retired in 1995. Curtis is survived by his sons, Wade Job and his wife Melanie, Bret Job and his wife Lisa, Stuart...

Floria, Rebecca Jane Passed away on May 31st, 2021 A gathering of family and friends for Rebecca will be on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at Dare’s Funeral Home, 805 Main Street NW, Elk River, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM and service at 10:45AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Reproductive and Social Justice Fund www.groundswellfund.org to donate follow https://groundswellfund.org/donate/  Private family interment following celebration of...

81, of Big Lake, husband of Jeanette Leland (nee Hurlbert), died Sunday, May 30, 2021 at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo, MN. He was born in Detroit Lakes, MN on July 11, 1939, son of the late Gunval (“Ted”) and Weltha (nee Walters) Leland, and grew up in Mahnomen, Montevideo, New Folden, then graduated from Northome HS in 1957. David was a successful sporting goods salesman, first across the Upper Midwest and then throughout the Deep South.  He co-owned the full-color...

 Dean Douglas Tilly was born on November 28, 1947, in Watertown, SD to Glenn and Millicent (Billington) Tilly. He passed away on May 28th, 2021, in Zimmerman, MN, while doing what he loved. Visitation will be at Dare’s Funeral Home 805 Main St. NW in Elk River, MN on June 25th from 2 to 4 PM.   Dean graduated from Watertown High School in 1966. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. On December 27, 1968, he married Renee Lund from Arlington, SD....

Age 87, of Elk River.  Born November 13, 1933 to Walter and Clara Van Vleet in Little Falls, MN and passed away on February 16, 2021 at the Gardens of Foley in Foley, MN. He is preceded in death by both of his wives, Ella in 1966 and Dorene in 2011; step-son, Ron Martineau; step daughter, Ronnell Yanish; 3 grandsons, Tyrel Loitz, Jamey Emmerich and Ethan Loitz; his parents; 8 siblings (Bud was the youngest of 9 children). Bud grew up around the Hillman and Mora, MN area.  U.S....