Obituaries - Aug. 24, 2018

Jack M. Jensen

Jack Martin Jensen, 80, of LaMoure, N.D., formerly of Ely and Tower, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at St. Rose Care Center in LaMoure. A memorial service for Jack will be held in LaMoure at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Zoar Lutheran Church with Reverend Ryan Jerome officiating. A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held in Ely on Wednesday, Aug. 29 at the Grand Ely Lodge from 4 to 8 p.m., with stories shared at 6 p.m. The family prefers memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley or St. Rose Care Center.

Condolences to the family may be signed in the guestbook at www.dahlstromfuneralhome.com or mailed to Linda Jensen, P.O. Box 331, LaMoure, ND 58458. Dahlstrom Funeral Home in LaMoure is handling the arrangements.

Jack, son of Chet and Martina (Panian) Jensen, was born and raised in the lake country of northern Minnesota. It was there he learned his love of the outdoors. Hunting was a passion he especially enjoyed with his friend Roger Raduenz. Jack’s love of fishing led to guiding fishermen for Bowser’s Resort at Crane Lake. This also led to guiding friends on canoe trips in the Quetico canoe area in Canada. Jack and Linda enjoyed doing this together for several years. They were also famous for the fish fries they hosted at their cabin for family and their Sandpoint friends.

Jack discovered another passion when he began his career as a sixth-grade teacher in Ely. He also taught drivers ed and coached the Ely Wolves in three winning seasons.

Jack lived his life to the fullest and enjoyed his family and friends, sharing his love of the outdoors and skills with anyone who spent time with him. We miss him so much, but know that he is fishing the heavenly lakes with those who have gone before him to get the boat ready.

He is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter, Jackie (Fred) Moen; son, David (Wendy) Jensen; stepson, Jeremy John; sister, Judy Cashian; father-in-law, Vernon Sandness; grandchildren, Leah and Kasey Phifer, and Michela, Jake and Justin Jensen; step-grandchildren, Kati, Megan and Nick Moen; step-great-granddaughter, Lily; sisters-in-law, Carmen (Greg) Solberg and Jackie (Jerry) Tostenson; brothers-in-law, Stuart (Linda) Sandness, Eugene (Monica) Sandness, Greg (Deb) Sandness, Robert (Michele) Sandness and Jay (Sherie Dorzak) Sandness; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joseph D.

Croteau Jr.

Joseph David “Poots” Croteau Jr., 88, of rural Gilbert, died on Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Biwabik with Fr. Charles Flynn as celebrant. Burial will be at a later date in Lakeside Cemetery in Biwabik. Arrangements are by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert.

Survivors include his wife, Janet Korpi Croteau; sons, Terry (Lee) Croteau of Lake Vermilion-Tower, Robert (Cecilia) Croteau of Biwabik and Scott (Crystal) Croteau of Biwabik; grandchildren, Jason, Tara, Celene, Tawnee and Kendra; great-grandchildren, Cody, Jacob, Daniel, Lucas, Max, Alanna, Brent and Beau; sister, Joyce Zidarich of Kittsville; and many nieces and nephews.

Kent C. VandenBranden

Kent Charles VandenBranden, 61, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, after a brutal 18-month battle with cancer. A celebration of life will be held at the Enquist family cabin on Burntside Lake on Sunday, Sept. 2. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester are preferred.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Enquist VandenBranden and his little guy, Frankels; brothers, Keith (Anita), Kurt (Kate) and Kraig (Dena); sister, Kay Cesarek (David); brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Lynne Enquist; and many nieces and nephews.