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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries - February 8, 2018

Posted

James P. Holman

James “Jim” P. Holman, 81, of Orr, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Essentia Health Virginia with his loving family by his side. A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Orr American Legion in Orr. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the Legion Hall. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.

Jim was born to Albert and Ella (Brokaw) Holman on Feb. 10, 1937, in Orr. He grew up and attended school in Orr, graduating from Orr High School in 1956 where he was a star athlete in football, basketball, track and baseball.

Jim and his brother Gordy had a junkyard where Jim developed his love of cars and auto mechanics. If you needed to know anything about how to fix your car or truck, Jim was the one to call. He was a member of the Orr City Council for 38 years, as well as being a volunteer firefighter for 24 years. Jim was united in marriage to Luci Vartmann on May 4,1974, in International Falls.

Jim enjoyed all that Northern Minnesota had to offer, spending many days fishing and hunting. He had a natural talent for woodworking, and spent a lifetime creating toys, rocking horses, and kids’ tables and chairs, for his children and grandchildren. His children were his pride and joy and everything he made for them was a labor of love. Jim was a very compassionate and loving person, not only to his own children; he spent countless hours helping the neighborhood kids fix their bikes or work on motors. Jim valued his many friendships; he spent hours in the garage and people would stop by to “reminisce” with him and enjoy a good story. Jim was a man that people and animals were drawn to. One of his most precious friendships was with his dog, Bailey, who spent every waking moment with Jim.

Jim was an endearing and wonderful man. Family and friends admired his perseverance and determination to enjoy life to the fullest, regardless of his disability. He was a man who never gave up, loved with all his heart, and accomplished more than most. Nothing held him back!

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Luci; children, Randy (Kathie) Holman, Brenna (Daniel) Lanigan and Patrick (Jamie) Holman; honorary son, John Hetra; grandchildren, James Holman, Daniel Holman, Jack Lanigan, Brendan Lanigan, Isaiah Johnson and Cecelia Holman; great-grandchild, Landon Holman; and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gordon and Robert; and beloved dog, Bailey.

J. Harold Macomber

J. Harold “Mac” Macomber, 96, a longtime resident of Tower, died on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in the Lakewood Care Center in Staples. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at St. James Presbyterian Church in Tower. Pastor Doug Workman will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Spring inurnment will take place in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

 Mac was born on June 8, 1922, in Farragut, Iowa, the son of James Alonzo and Olga (Hall) Macomber. He served in the United States Army during WWII. Mac married June Johnson on June 13, 1946, in Tower and was employed as an Industrial Arts Teacher in the Tower-Soudan High School for 40 years.

He was an active member of St. James Presbyterian Church, a longtime member and Past Commander of the Nelson-Jackson American Legion Post 245 in Tower, Past Master and Secretary of the Vermilion Masonic Lodge 197 AF&AM, a member of the Duluth Valley of the Scottish Rite, and a member of the Loyal Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mac enjoyed carving, was an avid reader, and enjoyed puttering around the house doing handyman projects.

Mac is survived by his sons, William Macomber of Tower and Thomas (Jeanne) Macomber of Craig, Colo.; son-in-law, Paul Lofquist of Tower; grandchildren, Cade (Brianna) Lofquist, Nathan, Erika and Alyssa Macomber; and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, June; daughter, Judy Lofquist; and son, James Robert Macomber.

Beverlee R. Lofquist-Hinsa 

It is with great sadness that the family of Beverlee Renee Ranta Lofquist-Hinsa announces her passing on Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at the age of 85, at the Diamond Willow facility in Mt. Iron. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia.

 Beverlee was born on Aug. 8, 1933, in Duluth. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Virginia in 1951, and then completed X-Ray Training at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. In addition to working as an X-Ray Tech at the Eveleth and Virginia Hospitals and for Dr. Siegal at his office in Virginia, Beverlee also worked at a variety of other jobs throughout the years, including The Card Shop, Plaza Hardware, as a hearing tester for a hearing aid company, and at Iver Johnson’s Lumber Company. She was also active in Eastern Star and the Ladies of Kaleva.

Beverlee married Duane Charles Lofquist on Feb. 26, 1954. They raised four children at their house in Midway and at their cabin on Isle of Pines on Lake Vermilion. In 1977, they sold both homes and moved year-round to their place on Birch Point on Lake Vermilion. Beverlee always considered herself a “lake person” and a feisty red-headed Finnlander who was proud of her Finnish heritage. She was a wonderful cook who enjoyed trying new recipes. She enjoyed boating, fished for walleyes and cooked them, but could never partake of that delicacy, as she was deathly allergic to them. She loved to make jelly and bake, especially when the berries and rhubarb were ripe in Northern Minnesota. She also enjoyed sewing, knitting, and later, painting. Beverlee had a great sense of humor; she found fun in playing cards and other games with family and friends.

Duane died suddenly of a heart attack on Dec. 21, 1991. On May 6, 1995, Beverlee married Lawrence Hinsa. They resided at Lake Vermilion and in Harlingen, Texas, for many years. Time spent in Texas continued to expand until they became permanent residents there, no longer just Winter Texans or snowbirds. They still came north some summers and for special family events. In October 2018, due to failing health, Beverlee moved back up north where she resided with her daughter, Patti Burnett, in Virginia and at Diamond Willow.

Beverlee is lovingly missed by her husband, Lawrence Hinsa of New Hope; children, Patti (John) Burnett of Virginia, Pam of Tower, Perry (Elizabeth) of Ramsey and Paul (Barb) of Tower; sister, Marsha (Ernie) Maki of Virginia; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Beverlee was preceded in death by her husband, Duane Charles Lofquist; parents, Maybelle (Mema) Oja Ranta and Harold (Red) Ranta; and granddaughter, Katy Burnett.

Donald G. Chinander

Donald G. Chinander, 78, of Ely, formerly of Marine on St. Croix, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at his residence. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 9 at The Gospel Church. Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.

He is survived by his children, Gordon Chinander, Robin Lee and Martin (Dawn) Chinander; grandchildren, Jacquelyn Chinander (Sergio), Joshua Chinander (Morgan), Taylor Lee, Trevor Lee, Zach (Angie) Debeltz and Jesse (Ayla) Debeltz; great-grandchild, Pricilla Mena; and brother, Roger (Cindy) Chinander.