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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Obituaries: May 12, 2023

Posted

Sandra Marie Kringstad
Our sweet little sister, Sandra passed away Friday, May 5, 2023, peacefully in Virginia. Sandra is one of God’s special children. Though she never spoke a single word in her 76-plus years, she communicated her special charm to/with every person who met or cared for her. She was born on Feb. 6, 1946.
Memorial service and interment will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis.
The family treasures the many photos we have of Sandra with her special smile, impish grin, or the seldom but cherished giggle Sandra would sometimes give us. We want to thank the many people who shared in Sandra’s life and who cared so much for her for so many years! Sandra’s time in her last home in Virginia, were some of her best! NHS NorthStar’s residential home “Taurus”, in Virginia, and Sandra’s caregivers there, were the best. Thank you so much.
Her brother Orlyn feels a tremendous loss. The two had a special bond that Orlyn knew only through having her hand in his on long walks in decades past, or on shorter and shorter walks in these last years; or swinging on the bench-swing listening to soft music, Sandra’s head on his shoulder; and special memories like last year, sitting on the dock at Orlyn’s cabin, feet in the lake and kicking the water -- I’m still not sure how well Sandra enjoyed that...but he did. Simple little experiences like the few times I brought Sandra to Tower so that LeAnn could trim her hair. Nothing was better to Sandra than having someone do her nails or pamper her by giving a hair trim.
Orlyn is reminded of Katherine Jenkins singing “Jealous of the Angels” (There will be another angel around the throne tonight…) and will cherish the memory of Sandra’s first communion at age 75 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tower, given by Pastor Liz Cheney. So many sweet memories –though the family will never know how sweet they were for Sandra. Maybe just Sandra letting a family member walk with her, and hold her hand, and resting her head on their shoulder was her letting them know. Orlyn said he accepts and is so happy for Sandra now. Rest in eternal peace, Sandra. På gjensyn, og takk for alt!
Sandra is survived by siblings Kathryn Leigh Scott (Patrick), David Kringstad (Kari), and Orlyn Kringstad (Marit), four nieces and nephews, eight grandnieces and grandnephews, and countless relatives in Norway.

Mary D. Berard
Mary Darlene Paullin Berard, 88, of Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Iowa City and Lake Vermilion, passed away on Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Des Moines. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 13 at Iles Funeral Homes-Dunn’s Chapel in Des Moines. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Donations may be made to Boy Scouts of America or Camp Fire Heart of Iowa.
Mary was born on May 13, 1934, in Panora, Iowa. Her family moved around quite a bit as a child while her dad was in the U.S. Army. They eventually relocated to Des Moines. While enrolled at North High School, she met David Berard. The high school sweethearts were married on August 29, 1954. Mary and David raised their family in Des Moines. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts and a leader for Camp Fire Girls for many years. Mary sold Tupperware for over 20 years.
In 1982, they moved to Iowa City where they owned and operated the Pronto Convenience Store in Coralville. After retiring, they spent their winters in Mesa, Ariz., in the Country Cousins mobile home park. Their summers were spent at their main residence on Lake Vermilion in northern Minnesota. After David’s passing in 2011, Mary moved to West Des Moines to be closer to family.
Mary never played a card game she didn’t like. She loved to be involved in all activities and meet and interact with people. She was an avid Iowa State and University of Iowa sports fan, taking in both football and basketball games, originally in person and in later years on TV or radio.
Mary is survived by her children, Ralph Berard of Vinton, Iowa, Linda (Joe) Vance of Clinton, Iowa, and Carolyn (Jaret) Goforth of West Des Moines; brother-in-law, Scott Thompson of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Kami Greenwood, Bryan Krough, Rebecca and Rachel Berard, Mike (Jessica) and Nick (Chloe) Vance, Andrew, Abigail, Zachary and Nicholas Goforth; nine great-grandchildren; and nephews, Scott Thompson and Mark (Courtney) Thompson.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerald “Bud” and Alice Cahow Paullin; husband, David; and sister, Jeanne Thompson.

Lester C. Erickson
Lester Curtis Erickson, 85, of Angora, took his last coffee break on Earth on Friday, May 5, 2023. A memorial service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 13 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Alango. Visitation will be at 11 a.m. A reception for food and fellowship will follow at the VFW in Cook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lester’s name. Arrangements are with Mlaker Funeral Home of Cook.
He is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; children, Brad (Denise) Erickson of Plymouth, Chad Erickson of Angora and Brian Erickson of Burnsville; stepdaughter, Sally (Steve) Simmer; grandchildren, Sydney (Peter Mayer) Erickson, Mercedes Erickson, Ricky Erickson, Alec Erickson, Payton Erickson, Maddoux Erickson and Walker Erickson; step-grandchildren, Corey (Nick) Novak, Ryley Simmer and Carter Simmer; great-grandchild, Minnie Erickson-Mayer; and sister-in-law, Lorraine Erickson.

Jon D. Folz Jr.
Jon David Folz Jr., 63, of Ely, died on Sunday, April 30, 2023, with his family at his side at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 27 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Ely. Visitation will be for one hour prior at the church.
He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer and son-in-law, Aaron Monson and grandchildren, Ellery, Lyra and Jack, all of St. Louis Park; siblings, Barbara Folz of Duluth, Virginia Anderson of Ely, Joan (Peter) Weckman of Ely, Jamie (Russell Lende) Folz of Vernonia, Ore., and Kathleen (David) Hood of Aloha, Ore.; special aunt, Karon Mobilia; special uncle, Jim Folz (Lorene Pucel); many nieces and nephews; the mother of his children, Anne Folz; and many dear friends including Steve and Ginni Fitch.