Obituaries: April 7, 2023

John H. Burgess
John Herbert “Jack” Burgess, 92, died peacefully on Friday, March 31, 2023, surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 7 in the Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Bill Bauman will officiate. A time of remembrance will follow. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Tower-Soudan Historical Society, PO Box 465, Tower, MN 5590. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
Jack was born on Dec. 1, 1930, in Tower, to Albert and Josephine (Hewett) Burgess. He attended Tower High School where he met his sweetheart, Carol Jeane. On June 24, 1951, Jack and Carol joined hands in marriage and began building the foundation for their family with strength, love and laughter. Jack was a devoted husband, father of three, grandfather of eight, and great-grandfather of 16.
Jack served in the United States Air Force from 1951-1955 in Fort Worth, Texas. Following his honorable discharge, Jack was a pilot at Northeast Airways in Eveleth. He returned to Tower where he and Carol helped build Burgess Marine while working winter months at Burgess Chevrolet. He spent later years doing custodial work and providing bus and van transportation for students at the Tower-Soudan School.
Jack’s bigger-than-life personality brought him to the skies over Tower-Soudan and Lake Vermilion, even bringing a publication of his encounter with a wolf in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the hunting shack, fishing in Canada, reloading ammunition in the bullet room, and traveling to Gulf Shores, Ala. for the winter to listen to Brett Burns and enjoy cocktails on the beach with their friends from all over the Midwest.
Jack is survived by siblings, Joanne Lindberg and Bob (Carol) Burgess; children, Johnny (Linda Myklebust) Burgess, Jere Lynn (Tom) Wujcik and Jeff (Pam) Burgess; grandchildren, Jon Ryan (Jennifer) Myre, Jaime (Joe) Johnson, Kara Burgess, John Russel (Stephanie) Burgess, Jacob (Alaina) Burgess, Kada (Alex) Kesti, Megan (Matt) Uhan and Ryan (Melaine) Myklebust; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Josephine Burgess; brothers, Linden, Raymond, Billy and Dell; and sister, Ruth Brown.

Carol J. Burgess
Carol Jeane Kirkman Burgess, 91, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 7 in the Vermilion Funeral Home in Tower. Bill Bauman will officiate. A time of remembrance will follow. Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the Tower-Soudan Historical Society, PO Box 465, Tower, MN 5590. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.
On Jan. 4, 1932, Carl “Scoop” Kirkman and Magdalena “Mike” (Symoniak) Kirkman welcomed Carol’s beautiful light into this world. She attended school in Tower, where she met her love, John “Jack” Burgess. They were married on June 24, 1951.
Carol was a devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother of 16. Carol’s devotion to seeing the beauty in others did not stop with her family, it extended into the community. Carol was a significant part of working with Jack to help build Burgess Marine along with her endless hours spent as a teacher’s aide at Tower High School.
She enjoyed spending time with family and friends on Lake Vermilion. This included flying with Jack, snowmobiling with the ladies, and boating whenever there was a ray of sunshine to be found. Carol and Jack also found their love for winters spent on the sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Ala. Carol was a proud member of the Red Hat Society and Tower-Soudan Historical Society. Joining her friends to play bridge at the Black Bear Café was always a highlight of her week. She made a friend wherever she went and there was never a shortage of conversation and laughter.
Carol is survived by her children, Johnny (Linda Myklebust) Burgess, Jere Lynn (Tom) Wujcik and Jeff (Pam) Burgess; grandchildren, Jon Ryan (Jennifer) Myre, Jaime (Joe) Johnson, Kara Burgess, John Russel (Stephanie) Burgess, Jacob (Alaina) Burgess, Kada (Alex) Kesti, Megan (Matt) Uhan and Ryan (Melaine) Myklebust; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Scoop and Mike Kirkman; and brothers, Ed and Bill Kirkman.

Donald E. Reinhardt
Donald Eugene Reinhardt, 90, of Tower, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Don was born in Mt. Carmel, Ill., on Dec. 4, 1932. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 15 at the Evangelical Free Church in Embarrass. Visitation is from 12 noon to 1 p.m., with the service at 1 p.m. Food and fellowship will follow the service.

David T. Durrant
A gathering in memory of David Trayton Durrant, 78, of Tower, who died on March 21, 2023, will be held on Saturday, April 15 at the Vermilion Club from 3 - 6 p.m. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Duluth. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

Dana C. Mason
Dana Christine Mason, 68, of Tower, passed away on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in her home. She was born on April 9, 1954, in Bellingham, Wash. Dana was a free spirit with a gentle soul. She will always be remembered. Her wishes were for cremation with no service. Family services are provided by Bauman-Vermilion, a Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower.

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 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.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George Stalboerger.