All Obituaries

12/14/1933- 1/19/2024 Born in Phelps Wisconsin to James and Anna Strong. She was their 14th child and the only to be born in a hospital. Raised on a farm, her mother passed when she was 11 years old. She came to St. Paul, Minnesota to live with her aunt and uncle. Working as a waitress at a coffee shop, she met George T. Peterson. They were married and his work brought them all over the country. They had 7 children: Steven, Barbie, George, Jeffrey, Lisa, Douglas, and Donald. They settled...

Age 101, of Elk River.  Passed away peacefully on March 5, 2024 at Guardian Angels Care Center. Preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; daughter, Carol Barthel; parents, Joseph and Stella (Bourgeois) Barnier; 5 sisters and 10 brothers. Anna lived in the Elk River/Otsego area all of her long life.  Faithful member of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church.  Known for her strong work ethic, unwavering faith, and her wonderful cooking and baking.  She was a beacon of...

Richard (Dick) Leitzke, age 78 of Zimmerman, MN, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2024 after an epic 6-year battle against cancer.  Dick was born on May 4, 1945 to John and Shirley Leitzke of Osseo, MN.  He attended Osseo High School and after graduation, joined the US Marine Corps where he served his country for six years, rising through the ranks to Sergeant. Dick married Roberta (Bobbie) Humphrey on February 25, 1966.  They lived in Champlain before moving to Zimmerman...

Sandra Lee Eftefield, age 87 of Anoka, formerly of Big Lake, passed away Friday, April 19, 2024. She was born in Detroit Lakes on June 3, 1936.  Sandy graduated from Detroit Lakes High School with the class of 1954. She had a passion for quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, painting, gardening, music and dancing. Sandy was a beacon of strength, independence, and integrity, and her unwavering commitment to her morals served as a guide for those around her. Her loving and...

Jessica Linette Holum was born on June 3, 1990. She went off on her heavenly adventure with her treasured children on April 8, 2024, at the age of thirty-three. She worked as a hospitality server working weekends so she could spend the days during the week with her children. Jess’s free-spirited personality was a beacon to people. Once you met Jess, you remembered her. Remembered her for her love of life, mischievous acts, compassion toward others; friends, strangers, anyone with a...

Frederic G. Zmuda, age 81, formerly of Plymouth, MN passed away on April 16th, 2024. Fred proudly served in the USMC prior to working 35 years at Anoka County juvenile corrections before retiring in 2012. Preceded in death by his daughter, Lindsay. Survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan; Daughters, Shelley (Kurt) Charter, Debbie Zmuda and Dawn Veurink; Sons, Chris (Naomi) Zmuda, Matthew Zmuda, Johnathan (Sarah) Zmuda and Charles (Elena) Zmuda; 17 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren;...

Richard “Dick” Nichols, age 77 of Otsego, passed away on December 18, 2023. Dick was born on December 16, 1946, to Vern and Ione (Klenk) Nichols in Albert Lea MN. He graduated from St. Louis Park High School in St. Louis Park, MN in 1964. He married Joan “Joanie” (Dauffenbach) Nichols in 1988. Dick was a Quality Engineer who retired in 2010 after working 28 years for Honeywell/ATK followed by 14 years at Seagate Technology. Dick enjoyed being involved in his Otsego...

Marilyn Van Patten – Chuba, age 86, of Elk River, passed away peacefully at home on April 14, 2024 of Glioblastoma brain tumors. She was a generous, passionate and loving spirit, a talented artist who lived a vibrant life. Marilyn was loved by her family, friends and the entire community in which she loved, served and cared for. She was born June 11, 1937 in Rush City, MN, the eldest of seven children. She was preceded in death by her parents Harley and Margaret Rohlf and her sister...

A memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at NOON, with visitation from 10AM - NOON on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at GATEWAY CHURCH, 13913 - 185th Avenue Northwest, Elk River, MN. A luncheon will follow the service at church. Solara and Laiken are survived by their dad, Shawn; siblings Brayden, and Carley; grandparents; aunts, uncles; cousins; and many friends who all loved them very much. The Frank family would like to thank the community for their incredible show of love and...

Judy Orrine (Malmquist) Trochlil passed away April 15, 2024 at Mercy Hospital. She was born June 3, 1944 in Grove City, Minnesota to Clarence and Teckla Malmquist. She graduated from Grove City High School in 1962 and then attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1962-1963. From 1963-1966 she attended Mankato State College and graduated in spring of 1966 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Health and minored in Biology. She taught high school in Howard Lake,...