OBITUARIES
Recent obituaries in Wadena County, Minnesota
The obituaries in the Sebeka, Minnesota Area reflect the region's diverse population, featuring individuals from a variety of ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. Some were pioneers in their fields, while others dedicated their lives to community service or philanthropy. Their stories serve as a reminder of the richness and complexity Wadena County's history and identity.
Norma Ann Hillukka
Feb 5, 2023
Norma Ann (Arvola) Hillukka of Menahga, MN passed away peacefully at her home at Rose Haven Assisted Living on Sunday, February 5, 2023 at the age of 90 years. She was born on May 8, 1932 near Sebeka, MN to Hjalmer and Anna (Niemela) Arvola. Norma was a willing helping hand on the family farm, from duties in the household...
Myrtle Adeline Jenkins
Jan 26, 2023
Myrtle Adeline (Taylor) Jenkins, age 102, was born September 30, 1920 in Valor, Saskatchewan, Canada to Asa and Della (Kimball) Taylor. In 1922, the family moved to Noonan, North Dakota, and Myrtle became a United States citizen. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. In 1937, Myrt graduated from Noonan High School where she was active in drama...
Stanley Charlton Stephenson
Jan 15, 2023
Stanley Charlton Stephenson - After 95 ½ years, covering 11 decades, Dads' successful journey here on earth came to an end on January 15, 2023, at his home with his loving wife of 71 1/2 years, Betty, by his side. Dad is preceded in death by his parents, L.C. "Chuck" Stephenson and Effie Pudas Stephenson; parents in-law, Ernest and Hildur...
Zachary Lee Fransen
Jan 4, 2023
Zachary Lee Fransen, 29, of West Fargo, passed away early on the morning of January 4th, 2023. Zachary was Born April 12, 1993 at St Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls MN to Ramona Lee Kennelly and Lonnie Lee Fransen. He grew up and attended school in Royalton, Menahga and New Prague, MN, graduating from Menahga Public High School with the...
Gary Allan Weyer
Dec 23, 2022
Surrounded by his three children and his loving wife, Gary Weyer passed away on Friday, December 23, 2022 at Fargo Sanford Medical Center, at the age of 76 years. A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of his life will...
Donald Eino Lillquist
Dec 5, 2022
Don was born on June 30, 1941, to Eino and Signe (Mattson) Lillquist and died due to complications of the dreaded disease, mesothelioma (Yep, the one you’ve heard the commercials about) on December 5, 2022. He was 81. When Don entered heaven, he was reunited with his angel on earth, his loving wife of 50 years, “Dukie,” who was probably...
Susan Muriel Kinnunen
Nov 21, 2022
Susan Muriel Kinnunen (Wiita) age 57 passed away on November 21st at her home in Battle Lake, MN. Sue was born on December 14th 1964 in Duluth MN to Arnold and Flora Wiita. As a young child the family moved from Duluth to Minneapolis. Later they moved to Sebeka where she attended and graduated from Sebeka School. She went to...
Melvin Kenneth Hotakainen
Nov 13, 2022
Melvin Kenneth Hotakainen ventured into his new hunting grounds in glory on Nov.13, 2022. He passed at home, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 81. Mel was the fourth of nine children born to Arne and Kaino (Heino) Hotakainen on August 21, 1941. He grew up on the family farm in Paddock Township, milking cows and doing chores...
Judith Mae Nielsen
Nov 12, 2022
Judith Mae (Heino) Nielsen of Wadena, MN was called home by her Heavenly Father Saturday November 12, 2022. Judy was born December 17, 1941, to William and Esther (Carpenter) Heino at their home in Sebeka, MN. She graduated from Sebeka High School in 1959. After graduation she worked at Sloan’s Resort in Park Rapids before moving to Minneapolis where she...
Charles Clarence Winkels
Nov 11, 2022
Charles (Chuck) Clarence Winkels of Sebeka, MN passed away surrounded by his family members after a long illness on November 11, 2022. Chuck was born on October 17th, 1940 to Michael and Olivia (Fieber) Winkels. He was the 4th of 10 children and was raised on a farm near Valley City, ND. He was baptized, confirmed and graduated high school...
Lyle Allen Downer
Nov 10, 2022
Lyle Allen Downer died on November 10th 2022 in his home in Huntersville, MN at the age of 74 years, 9 months, and 19 days. Lyle was born to Fay and Ruby Downer in Huntersville, MN on January 22, 1948. He went through country school and on to Menahga school and graduated from there to the big world where he...
Alvin Arnold Pulju
Nov 5, 2022
Alvin Arnold Pulju Age 91, of Menahga, MN passed away Saturday November 5th, 2022 surrounded by family members. Born to Jack and Ester Pulju on August 13th, 1931. Alvin, an Army Veteran, worked for the United States postal office in Minneapolis and was a school bus driver. He was a great son, brother, husband and father. Alvin was a strong...
Alva Merle Robinson
Oct 25, 2022
Alva Merle Robinson of Sebeka, passed away on October 25, 2022 at Green Pine Acres/Greenwood Connections in Menahga, Minnesota. Alva was born to Nicholas and Grace on August 15, 1935 in Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was adopted by Earl and Leona Robinson at 8 years old and moved to north central Minnesota to the little town of Sebeka. He went...
Gilbert William Boyer
Oct 4, 2022
Gilbert William (Bill) Boyer passed away October 4, 2022 at Providence Villa in Sebeka, Minnesota with his daughter Diane holding his hand. He had 90 years of life accomplished. Bill was born March 7, 1932 to Marcus and Abiecie Boyer in Rockwood Township, Wadena County, Minnesota. He was the baby of six children. He lived his entire life on the...
Curtis Jule Kreklau Jr
Sep 28, 2022
Curtis Jule Kreklau, Jr., returned to his heavenly home on September 28, 2022, to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Curt, known as ‘CJ’ by his friends and family, was born in Wadena, Minnesota, on December 23, 1968, to Curt Sr. and Margaret Ann (Steinkraus) Kreklau, both of Sebeka. Curt attended Sebeka Elementary School before his family moved...
Dorothy Ann Johnson
Sep 26, 2022
Dorothy Ann May Johnson, age 85, formerly of Mountain Iron, MN peacefully passed away September 26, 2022 with family by her side at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Dorothy was born December 15, 1936 to Hugo and Mayme (Nevala) Hendrickson in Paddock Township, Otter Tail County, MN. She attended Sebeka Public School, graduating in 1954. Dorothy was...
Nancy Jean Walz
Sep 20, 2022
Nancy Jean (Swanson) Walz was born on October 1, 1951 in Newman Grove, Nebraska to Earl and Lucille Swanson. In 1955, the family moved to a farm near Deer Creek, MN. Nancy attended school at the Compton Township School House and Deer Creek High School, graduating in 1969. After high school, Nancy attended Wadena Area Vocational Technical School. While attending...
Larry Lee Siegel
Sep 18, 2022
Larry L. Siegel was born June 15, 1943 in Wadena, MN to Louis Siegel and Pearl (Harris) Siegel and died September 18, 2022, in Sebeka, MN. Larry had a true passion for hunting and fishing. His fishing excursions took him to lakes in Michigan, several trips to Alaska, Northern Minnesota, and even Belize, as well as hunting trips to parts...
Thomas Bernard Anthony Crandall
Sep 13, 2022
Thomas Crandall, 64, of Menahga, MN passed away at home on September 13, 2022. Tom was born in Minneapolis, MN on July 13, 1958. He grew up splitting his time between Menahga and Minneapolis. He attended Menahga High School. He spent his young adult years in Sanborn, IA before finding a job sandblasting and painting water-towers. He spent the next...
Russell Melvin Jacob
Aug 28, 2022
Russell Melvin Jacob, 76 of Menahga, MN died Sunday, August 28th, 2022 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND surrounded by his family. Russell was born October 21st, 1945 at Wesley Hospital in Wadena, MN. He grew up in Menahga, graduating from Menahga High School in 1963. After graduation, he worked at a paper mill in Camas, WA before being drafted...