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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: May 6, 2022

Posted

Ira G. White “Menoominikeijin”
Ira G. “Mike” White “Menoominikeijin”, 83, of Embarrass, died on Friday, April 15, 2022, in his home of natural causes. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower. Pastor Liz Cheney will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Mike was born on Sept. 5, 1938, in Hayward, Wis., the son of Ira O. and Evelyn (Morgan) White. He graduated from Orr High School. Mike married Janet Marie Rasula on Nov. 10, 1956. They made their home in Mt. Iron prior to moving to Embarrass about 27 years ago. Mike was employed at the Pioneer Underground Mine in Ely and later at Minntac. He was a jack-of-all trades with the ability to fix anything. He always had a work project to putz on, whether it was repairing cars, painting them, or welding; he also loved to go ricing.
Mike is survived by his children, Michael (Betsy Phillips) White of Angora, Mark (Dawn Aho) of Iron, Robert (Barb) White of Garrison and Bonnie (Bradley) Mayry of Cherry; siblings, Charles (Diane) White of Blaine and Margaret (Melvin) Samuelson of Wyoming, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Louella Zappa of Coon Rapids and Kathleen (Gale) Rostvit of Eveleth; grandchildren, Gary, Ira, Angela, Brenda, Thomas, Shaina, Dawn, Tia, Ashley, Adam, Abby and Aliisa; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janet; son, Thomas; and siblings, Edwin and Corrine.

Kenneth D. Norlander
Kenneth Dale “Ems” Norlander, 81, of Cloquet, died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Amy Janssen will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the donor’s choice. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia,
He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Hughes Norlander of Cloquet; sons, Jim Norlander of Tower, Jerry (Kim) Norlander of Sun City West, Ariz., Kevin (Jeanne) Rice of Esko and John (Leann) Bergman of Cloquet; sister, Nancy (Wayne) Alford of Greenwood, Miss.; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Dale Soderberg
Dale (Tom) Soderberg, 84, formerly of Embarrass, originally of Tower-Soudan, passed away on Saturday, April 30, 2022, after an illness, while receiving the exceptional care of Edgewood Healthcare Fargo, Hospice of the Red River Valley, and his wife Julie. Other loving family members were also present with Dale at the end of his life. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo, N.D. Donations are appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association, Humane Society, or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Julie; daughter and son-in-law, Kirsten and Jonathan Husebye; beloved granddaughter, Maya (who carries on his fierce and funny spirit); sister, Karen Karni of New Brighton; and many extended family members.

Eric J. Oakman
Eric Joseph Oakman, 58, of Lake Vermilion, Cook, died on Sunday, May 1, 2022, in his home with family by his side. The family wishes to acknowledge the expertise and care of the Fairview Range oncology department, and especially Kim Pettinelli. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 6 at Bauman-Cron Funeral Home in Virginia. Bruce Williams will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to Care Partners of Minnesota, PO Box 217, Eveleth, MN 55734. Family services are provided by Bauman-Cron, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia.
He is survived by his significant other, Annette Beise; children, Brittany Oakman of Baltimore, Kayli (fiancé Cade Stackpool) Oakman of Lake Elmo, Dane (Kayla Young) Beise of Virginia and Miranda (Ryan) Moller of Eveleth; siblings, Robert (Cheryl) Oakman of Ft. Myers, James (Jeannine) Oakman of Tower, Jack (Barb) Oakman of Fayal Twp. and Lois (Jeanne) Oakman of Superior; three grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; extended family and friends.

Lois J. Thompson
Lois Jean Moorefield Thompson, 93, former resident of Bear River, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2022. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 18 at Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Thank you to Allina Hospice. A very special thank you to Trinity Terrace Assisted Living and the Trinity Care Center for the many years of wonderful care. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
She is survived by her son, Dennis (Beth); daughter, Linda (Doug); grandchildren, Andrew (Kristen), Nick (Kavya), Julie and Michelle (Ryan); great grandchildren, Brayden, Lucy and Arya; brother, Bill (Norma); sister-in-law, Rusty; several nieces and nephews.