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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: April 28, 2023

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Eugene L. Coyer
Eugene Lester Coyer, 95, of Orr, passed away peacefully during the night of Sunday, April 16, 2023, in his “Palace in the Poplar”.  An evening visitation will be held on Sunday, April 30 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. memorial service on Monday, May 1 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr. Pastor Wendy Deatherage will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Calvary Lutheran Church in Orr. Arrangements are with Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing.
Gene was born on August 12, 1927, in Albert Lea. He grew up in Mankato, was an Eagle Scout, and received his pilot’s license at 17. He went to serve briefly at the end of WWII as a U.S. Navy pilot. He then graduated from the University of Minnesota as a forester. He started working for the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon and returned to Minnesota to work for the state, being transferred from Brainerd to Orr, where he met his future wife, Delores Terska, who was working as a secretary for the DNR. At the time he took a position with Diamond Match, built a home in Orr, and started a family of four children. 
In 1966, he moved the family to Grand Rapids, taking a position with Sugar Hills Ski Area where he developed a snow-making machine and was called on by the U.S. Olympic ski team to make snow for them in Colorado and Maine. In 1988, Gene and Delores then made a home in Issaquah, Wash., where he became the maintenance engineer for the Holiday Inn. Delores passed away in 1999 and Gene returned to Minnesota where he lived out his life in a new home on Pelican Lake in Orr, his “Palace in the Poplar”. 
Gene loved to hunt and fish his entire life and was also very involved with Boy Scouts. He particularly loved spending time on the North Shore, trout fishing at the family cabin. Gene had the mind of an engineer as he was extremely inventive, creative and handy. Always an armchair historian with a steel-trap memory, Gene was literate in American history from Plymouth Rock to WWII. He had a passion for the West, and a fascination for Native American cultures. He loved the art of C.M. Russell, and the poetry of Longfellow, Thoreau and Frost. He read everything Ambrose wrote. His early years working in the West always drew him back. He and Delores honeymooned in Yellowstone. He visited Little Bighorn, “where Custer got his arrow shirt,” many times.
Gene had a sweet tooth; every cookie was his friend, especially sugar cookies. He taught himself to cook after Delores passed and developed a fine, small repertoire of dishes he loved to share, like “booberry pie” and “Gene’s Boston Baked Beans”. He was a gifted illustrator and sculptor, and his collection of spearing decoys became quite the exhibit. In his workshop, a box of wooden duck decoy parts, in various stages of completion, demonstrate the transformation from wooden blocks into swimming, lifelike mallards and bluebills.
Gene is survived by his children, Gary (Lori) Coyer, June (Jim) Guertin, Conith (John) Mackner and Daniel Coyer; brother, Martin Coyer; four grandkids and four great-grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Orilla Bathke Coyer; wife, Delores; and brother, Burton Coyer.

Lawrence Olson
Lawrence “Larry” Olson, 83, formerly of Crane Lake, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 12 noon on Thursday, May 11 at St. Joseph of the Lakes, 171 Elm St. in Lino Lakes.
Larry was born to Mary and Clifford Olson on August 14, 1939, in Hibbing, where he spent his childhood. Larry graduated from Hibbing High School. He married the love of his life, Joan Koslowski of Hibbing, on Oct. 15, 1960, at Blessed Sacrament Church in Hibbing. For a short period of time, they lived in the Twin Cities where Larry attended Dunwoody College of Technology before moving to Crane Lake to work with his parents at Olson’s Borderland Lodge, which he and Joan later purchased from Larry’s parents and operated together until 1992.  
Larry was an avid hunter and fisherman and greatly enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the sport and local area with customers, many of whom became lifelong friends. Larry was an active member of the Crane Lake Commercial Club, Crane Lake Volunteer Fire Department, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Buyck, and was also a member of the Border Lakes Association. After selling and retiring from their resort, Larry and Joan did volunteer work for Voyageurs National Park. Larry loved people and he was always willing to help.
Larry is survived by his children, Jeff (Donna) Olson, Kenneth (Jeanne) Olson, Jeane Olson and Michael (DeeAnne) Olson; grandchildren, Dana, Rebecca, Connor, Nicholas, Colin, Sarah (Joe) Thomas, Emily (Patrick) Jalabert, Isabelle, Sophia and Olivia; great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Liam, Theodore, Leila, Gabriella and Luc; and many other family and friends. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Mary Basta Olson; and wife, Joan.  

Lucy Lynn LaRue Pecchia
Lucy Lynn LaRue Pecchia, 11, of Tower, died as a result of injuries she sustained in an automobile accident on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Lucy and her mother April gained their wings at the same time. Lucy is now our Diamond in the Sky. Daddy loves her and she was the best sister to Zoey and Dane. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 26 at the Vermilion Family Wellness Center on the Vermilion Reservation in Tower. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Lucy was born on May 1, 2011, in Virginia, while her parents Christopher and April Kesler Pecchia were listening to the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”.
Lucy was a kind-hearted, beautiful, caring, compassionate soul who loved her family and close friends. She especially enjoyed spending time with her siblings, cousins and best friends. During her short 11 years, Lucy showed everyone she knew her sweet, thoughtful and spunky personality. She radiated love and happiness. Lucy was sugar and spice and everything nice.
Lucy was a sixth-grade student at Tower-Soudan Elementary School. She enjoyed volleyball and drawing. Lucy was also a “water baby” who loved swimming, and she enjoyed her animal friends.
Lucy is survived by her father, Christopher Pecchia; siblings, Zoey Funk and Dane Pecchia; grandparents, Patrick Pecchia, Belinda (Dave) Fazio, Gunner (Jilleen) Kesler and Mary (Jeff) Peterson; great-grandparents, William (Sharon) Tibbetts, Virginia Jacobs, John (Mary Jane) Kesler and Richard Kempf; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and many friends who were special to her.
She was preceded in death by her great-grandmothers, Gwendolyn LaRue Tibbetts, Alice Jackson, Carol Fazio, Sandra Kempf and Rebecca Foreman.

April Lynn Pecchia
April Lynn Kesler Pecchia, 35, of Eveleth, formerly of Tower, died as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on Thursday, April 20, 2023. April and her daughter Lucy gained their wings at the same time. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, April 26 at the Vermilion Family Wellness Center on the Vermilion Reservation in Tower. Family services were provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
April was born on Oct. 24, 1987, in Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Gunner and Mary Jacobs Kesler. She is a 2006 graduate of Tower High School and a 2011 graduate of DBA. April was united in marriage to Christopher Pecchia on Oct. 24, 2008, in Las Vegas, Nev. April worked as a caretaker which would often cause her to work back-to-back shifts. She was a blessing to all the patients who were lucky enough to have her taking care of them.
April always had such an infectious laugh, and she always had a way of making others feel accepted and comfortable just being themselves. She was also very artistic and enjoyed the simple things like coloring, in fact she always had a box of markers in her bag. April and Lucy would enjoy coloring and doing crafts together; they always had so much fun. Dane, Lucy and April loved to go swimming and fishing in the summer. April also loved to watch scary movies, especially with Zoey.
April is survived by her husband, Christopher Pecchia; children, Dane Pecchia and Zoey Funk; parents, Gunner (Jilleen) Kesler and Mary (Jeff) Peterson; brothers, Scott, (JR) Cody and Josh Kesler; sisters, Jude Carrico and Meagan Kesler; and numerous extended family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Sandra Lynn Kesler, Harold Jacobs and Becky Foreman.

William G. and Marjorie D. Hallin
William “Bill” George Hallin, 85, formerly of Britt, originally of Cook, entered the gates of heaven on Dec. 9, 2021. Marjorie “Marge” Dennis Carlson Hallin, 84, formerly of Britt, originally of Virginia, entered the gates of heaven on March 22, 2023. A visitation and funeral will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at Bauman Funeral Home in Virginia. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. The funeral service will be at noon, followed by a luncheon at the Mt. Iron Community Center at 1 p.m. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia
Marge and Bill are survived by their four children, Jane (Larry) Mattson, Sue (Richard) Ostman, Sara (Nathan) Thompson and Andy (Casey) Hallin; grandchildren, Noelle (Joe) Kuechenmeister, Willy Mattson, Helen (Cyril Kulteshev) Ostman, Hannah (Eric Snow) Ostman, Richard Ostman, Katie (Christian) Dane, Amy (Austin) Dane, Marjorie (Kyle) Robey, Sawyer Hallin and Owen Hallin; five great-grandchildren; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Beth (John) Nigro, Ginny (Tom) Smith and Mary (Tom) Lundsten; special nephew, Kevin Jalonen; and numerous other nieces and nephews and their families.

Glen L. Chilcote
Glen L. Chilcote, 70, of Angora, left this Earth on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023, watching the birds on a glorious sunny day from the beauty and comfort of his own home. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cook. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Fellowship will follow in the church social hall where people can share their stories and memories of Glen. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his wife, Laurel “Laurie” Prue; son, Adam Chilcote; brothers, Gary (Rene) Chilcote and Dennis (Sedna Cedarstone) Chilcote; sister, Maureen (Edward) Gregorich; stepsons, Andrew (Jamie) Lemieux and Adam (Brittanie) Lemieux; grandchildren, Braden, Jorey, Cederic, Athena and Xavier; nephews, Paul (Kari) Gregorich, Christopher Gregorich and Craig (Kerri) Chilcote; niece, Natalie (Scott) Qualey; and many cousins.

Robin M. Salo
Robin Matilda Leppala Salo, 62, of Virginia, formerly of Embarrass, passed away at her home on Friday, April 14, 2023. A celebration of life will be held from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 27 at Pike Sandy Town Hall, and later at 4 p.m. at Ryders Bar in Virginia. A private interment will be held at the West Pike Cemetery. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. 
She is survived by her sons, Ryan D. Salo and Neil B. Salo; daughter, Kylie L. Salo; mother, Nanette V. Beckman; sisters, RaeAnn (Gary) Pratt and Jolene (Devin) Davidson; nephews and niece, Eric (Rachel) Pratt, Hale Davidson and Elora Davidson; and the father of her children.