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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: February 12, 2021

Posted

Michael C. Wood
We are profoundly saddened to share that Michael Cheney Wood, 69, of Aurora, passed away on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at his home, following a brief illness. A private memorial service is being planned. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to the Superior Hiking Trail or a trail system of your choice. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. 
He was born on Aug. 31, 1951, in Chicago, Ill., to John Cheney Wood and Suzanne Watson Wood, both of whom predeceased him. Michael attended Alfred-Almond Central in Almond, N.Y., graduating in 1969. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s College in Santa Fe, N.M., where he studied the great books and liberal arts. He later spent time in New York City, dancing with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company. He and Marjory Johnson were married in Minneapolis on May 29, 1996.
Over the course of his work life, Michael was known for his creative and innovative approach - applying technology solutions to business problems in New Mexico, Australia, and Minnesota, for Sophia Learning, Solution Design Group, Fujitsu, and BORN Information Services, among others. His important work in weather/nuclear winter modeling (Los Alamos National Labs) contributed to the end of the Cold War. His continued, endless curiosity about climate change and scientific inquiry was applied to many aspects of his life’s pursuit of knowledge.
Michael’s love for family, friends, and the outdoors is reflected in every memory of him, from ski patrol in New Mexico, to canoeing in the Minnesota Boundary Waters (at one time taking a wrong turn into Canada), to shuttling grandchildren to school, or testing a new sleeping bag on the porch in the dead of winter. He believed in our responsibility to protect the environment and respect the Earth. He was always willing to step up, with grace and generosity, when called upon by friends or family.
Michael loved the trails, mountains and lakes of Minnesota and the mountains of New Mexico. He hiked the entire 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail over the course of several years, and a number of sections of the North Country Trail. His passion for hiking, cycling, skiing, camping, and other outdoor activities was clear to anyone who crossed his path.
Michael is survived by his wife and best friend, Marjory Johnson Wood; son, Galen Wood of Minneapolis and his daughters, Maia and Sofia; daughter, Ranier Wood of Santa Fe, N.M., and her son, Oliver; grandchildren whom he and Marjory raised, Erinn Wilson, Tyler and Gabe Wood; sister, Carol Wood (Ken Maracek) of Plattekill, N.Y., and their daughter, Casey Maracek and son, Avery Maracek (Gillian Hammond); and numerous additional grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and friends.
We will miss his intelligence, kindness, wit, and laugh.

Marlene Akkanen
Marlene Stone Akkanen, 85, of Babbitt, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. No services are being held at this time. A celebration of life is being planned for spring with burial in Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by three children, John (Jean) Akkanen of Embarrass, Gust Akkanen of Brainerd and Linda (Steve) Graupman of Cloquet; sister, Dorothy Mellsmoen of Oakdale; 11 grandchildren, Questa (Jon) Knapper of Aurora, Jenna (Pat) Rosenquist of Larimore, N.D., Lanay (DJ) Asmus of Alexandria, Ben (Amanda Hilde) Akkanen of Virginia, Darren Akkanen of Hibbing, Rachel (Jesse) Wiitanen of Embarrass, Ross (Dawn) Graupman of Eagan, Neil (Kristina) Graupman of Hermantown, Amy (Matt) Eldridge of St. Johns, Fla., Lindsey Allrich and Michael Allrich, both of Andover; 11 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Lori Akkanen of Gilbert; and son-in-law, Scott Allrich of Andover; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.


Beatrice L. Waisanen
Beatrice L. Waisanen, 80, of Angora, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021. A virtual service will be held via Zoom at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021. The Zoom link will be posted on the website of Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.