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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: March 31, 2023

Posted

David T. Durrant
David Trayton Durrant, 78, of Tower, died on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Waterview Woods Care Center. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Inurnment will take place in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Duluth. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
David was born on Nov. 28, 1944, in Virginia, the son of Leonard and Daisy (Walkema) Durrant. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Bennington. After the service, Dave lived out East, in Texas, and was a longtime Tower-Lake Vermilion resident. He was a volunteer firefighter, traveled to the Soviet Union as a wood consultant, and had managed the Cook Airport. Dave was a member of the DAV Kolstad Chapter 23 of Virginia, the Cook VFW Post 1757, and attended the Unitarian Church.
Dave is survived by his wife, Vicki Hall; brothers, Paul Durrant of Minneapolis and Steve (Chris) Durrant of Seattle, Wash.; stepsons, Lorn (Scarlett) Koski of Tower and Lars (Kathryn) Koski of Embarrass; grandchildren, Detton, Darrin, Hunter, Calvin, Parker, Evan, Vince, Lila and Chloe; great-grandchildren, Axel, Amelia, Zoey and Paisley; niece, Jessie Durrant; nephews, Ben and Peter Durrant; grand-nieces and grand-nephews; extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Virginia S. Stahnke
Virginia Sue Stahnke, 74, of Crane Lake, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023. There will be a celebration of life in early summer, which will be announced. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
Virginia was born on Feb. 28, 1949, in Virginia, to Oliver and Verna (Wisneski) Eggen. She grew up in Crane Lake and attended and graduated from Orr High School. After graduating, Virginia left the Crane Lake area and moved to Bemidji to attend college, and then moved to the Twin Cities where she remained for several years. There she met and married William Themmes, and they were blessed with one son, Jake Themmes. Later she married Michael Stahnke, and they were blessed with a daughter, Katrina Stahnke. Virginia and her family moved to a hobby farm in Almelund in 1981. Sadly, Michael passed away in 1984. In 1997 Virginia moved back to Crane Lake to the home where she was raised where she lived the remainder of her life. She worked at Home Health Care Specialists in Hibbing for 15 years.
Virginia loved gardening, music, and decorating for her favorite holiday, Christmas. Like her mother before her, Virginia was a wonderful cook and baker. She had a talent for making dill pickles, which were popular with her family and friends. She also loved animals which led her to volunteer at the Humane Society. Virginia was an avid fan of Gordon Lightfoot, attending at least 30 of his concerts. She was a very caring and accepting person. She enjoyed visiting with people and spending time with family and friends.
Virginia is survived by her son, Jake Themmes; daughter, Katrina (Josh Nuthak) Stahnke; grandchildren, Lily, Mikey and Ron; brother, Arthur Eggen; and long-time companion, Richard Ferris.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Michael Stahnke; and brother, Michael Burris.


Ronald Skube
Ronald Skube, 78, of Ely, died on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at St. Mary’s Essentia Health in Duluth. A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday, March 25 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene Shober Skube; daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and Regan Lamppa of Richfield; brother, Bernie of Ely; and numerous nieces and nephews to whom he was very close.

Marilyn J. Cook
Marilyn Janine Cook, 89, a resident of Ranier Roost, died on Friday, March 17, 2023, at Rainy Lake Medical Center in International Falls. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc. of International Falls.
Marilyn was born on Sept. 2, 1933, at her home in Greaney, the daughter of John and Emma (Strand) Johnson. She graduated from Orr High School and went on to Duluth Business College where she received her secretarial degree. She then began working for the Oliver Iron Company of Duluth until her marriage to Val Cook in 1955.  
Marilyn and Val moved to Orr where they managed the Orr Motel, before moving 22 miles north to work for the Cook family live bait business known as Cold Spring. They later opened a bait, gas and gift shop, and later a deer farm, which they ran until COVID forced them to close. Marilyn was also a homemaker and an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Orr.
Marilyn is survived by her husband, Val; sons, Tim (Linette) Cook, David (Tammy Wood) Cook, Jack (Tammy) Cook and John (Beth) Cook; daughter, Deborah (Donald) Eikoff; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Dolores Jacobson of Mahtomedi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Emma Johnson.

Darlene M. Stalboerger
Darlene M. Potter Stalboerger, 84, of Babbitt, passed away on Monday, March 20, 2023, at the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital. There will be no funeral per her request. A graveside ceremony will be held when the weather permits. Arrangements are with Landmark Funeral Home in Virginia.
She is survived by her husband, George Stalboerger; children, Mark Stalboerger and Susan (Paul) Scherer; grandchildren, John (Feliesha) Scherer, Jason (Beth) Stalboerger and Lisa (Brandon) Lintz; great-grandchildren, Lucas, Blake, Hailey, McKenzie and Ove; special twin nieces, Jenny (Steve) Iveland and Jessica (Joe) Miller and their families; sisters-in-law, Laverne (Leander) Stalboerger, Betty (Marvin) Stalboerger and Norma (Bernard) Stalboerger; and many other nieces and nephews.

Thomas Chavarria
Thomas Chavarria, 60, of Ely, died on Monday, March 13, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home of Ely.