Obituaries

Obituaries

Justin A. "Phil" Gangl

Justin A. "Phil" Gangl

Jul 4, 2025

Justin Anthony Gangl, affectionately known as “Phil” by those who knew and loved him, passed away on July 4, 2025, at Fairview Range Medical Center in Hibbing, MN. The middle son of three boys, Justin was born in Hibbing on August 21, 1978, to Guy and Lynne Gangl. He also had a half-sister, Jill, and was a lifelong resident of...

James M. Smith

James M. Smith

Jul 4, 2025

James (Jim) Michael Smith, of Hibbing, died on July 4, 2025, at age seventy-three after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Jim was born in Aitkin on June 4, 1952, to Walter Smith and Mary Zacher.

He grew up in the McGregor area, graduating from McGregor High School as an accomplished athlete. He continued his education at UMD for two years,...

Paul D. Barthany

Paul D. Barthany

Jul 3, 2025

Paul Douglas Barthany age 67 of Nashwauk, MN, passed away unexpectedly at his home Thursday, July 3, 2025. He was born August 29, 1957, in St. Paul, MN. Paul attended high school at Mounds View High, graduating with the class of 1975. 

After school, Paul worked at the Anchor Paper for 15 years. Following his time at the paper, he went...

Barbara "Barb" A. Koschak

Barbara "Barb" A. Koschak

Jul 2, 2025

Barbara Ann Koschak, age 76, of Hibbing, MN, passed away peacefully at home on July 2nd, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born June 6th, 1949, in Hibbing, MN, to Raymond and Katherine Gunville. Barbara met her future husband Jim when she was just 14 years old and Jim was 16 years old. From that point onwards, Barb and Jim...

Marilyn A. Aimonetti

Marilyn A. Aimonetti

Jul 2, 2025

Marilyn Ann Aimonetti, 93, died peacefully in her sleep in her home on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 in Nashwauk, Minnesota. She was born in Hibbing, MN to Annabelle (Filpula) and Marvin Simonson and spent her life in Nashwauk raising a family, serving at her church St. Cecilia’s and caring for her many family members and great friends, including Jackie DeNucci...

Sean J. Eddy

Sean J. Eddy

Jul 1, 2025

Sean J. Eddy, age 54, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at his residence in Hibbing, MN. He was born on September 30, 1970, in Chisholm, MN, to Clark Eddy and Ruby Benjamin.

He grew up in the town of Hibbing and attended Hibbing High School. Sean worked many jobs, but the majority of his early career was at Hibbing...

Charles A. Blomquist

Charles A. Blomquist

Jun 28, 2025

Charles Alan Blomquist was born in Hibbing, MN, on June 18, 1943, to Maria “Mary” Ilona (Hernesman) and Reino Alvar Blomquist. He spent the majority of his life in Hibbing where he attended kindergarten through Junior College at the Hibbing High School. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota, Grand Forks. While most...

Bertram "Bert" P. MacDonald

Bertram "Bert" P. MacDonald

Jun 27, 2025

Bert P. MacDonald age 73 of Harlingen, TX passed away Friday, June 27, 2025. He was born in Hibbing on September 25, 1951, to Edward and Mable (Johnson) MacDonald. 

Bert was a 1970 graduate of Hibbing High School, following graduation he enlisted in the US Army, serving two tours in Vietnam. Bert would go on to serve his country for the...

David Stevens

David Stevens

Jun 26, 2025

David Stevens, age 66 of Nashwauk, passed away unexpectedly at his home Thursday, June 26, 2025. He was born April 2, 1959, in Hibbing to Charles and Mildred (Ciganovich) Stevens. Dave attended Nashwauk-Keewatin High School, graduating with the class of 1977, which is where he met his future wife in 11th grade when she was placed as a buffer between...

Justin T. Wix

Justin T. Wix

Jun 24, 2025

Justin Tyme Wix, age 22 of Chisholm, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2025. He was born in Lake Forrest. IL to Michael and Nicole (Blenkle) Wix, April 25, 2003. In 2006, he moved to Keewatin with his family. 

He spent his childhood there and attended Nashwauk-Keewatin High School. Justin worked at McDonald's in Chisholm and recently started a new job at...

Beverly L. Damjanovich

Beverly L. Damjanovich

Jun 21, 2025

In Loving Memory of Beverly Louise Damjanovich

June 22, 1931 – June 21, 2025

Heaven gained one of its sweetest angels with the passing of Beverly Louise Damjanovich who entered her eternal home on June 21, 2025, one day short of her 94th birthday.

Bev was born on June 22, 1931, to Frank (Frenchie) and Selma Chaurand in Keewatin, MN. Bev spent the...

Robert B. Bateson

Robert B. Bateson

Jun 17, 2025

Robert Berrien Bateson, beloved father, grandfather, veteran, and aviator, passed away on June 17, 2025, just one day shy of his 78th birthday. Born in Cumming, Georgia, Robert—known to many by his Air Force call sign "Lebeacon"—led a remarkable life defined by service, adventure, and deep devotion to family.

A proud veteran, Robert served in the United States Air Force during...

Patrick G. Lucia

Patrick G. Lucia

Jun 14, 2025

Patrick G. Lucia, 73, lifelong resident of Hibbing died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at his home with family by his side. He was born November 5, 1951, to Pierino and Natalie (Boman) Lucia in Hibbing. After graduating from High School, Patrick completed an apprenticeship program. He was employed with US Steel Minntac as a plumber/pipefitter for many years. Later he...

Douglas D. Eichholz

Douglas D. Eichholz

Jun 14, 2025

Douglas D. Eichholz, 66, longtime resident of Nashwauk, MN died Saturday, June 14, 2025, at his home in Nashwauk. He was born November 7, 1958, to Charles W. and Geraldine B. (Glidden) Eichholz in Hibbing, MN. Doug resided in Chisholm, MN for about 10 years during his lifetime. He enjoyed motorcycles, and owned a Harley, he like fishing, camping, sitting...

Virginia L. Christiansen

Virginia L. Christiansen

Jun 13, 2025

Virginia L. Christiansen

March 16, 1947 June 13, 2025

Virginia L. Christiansen, 78, Hibbing died Friday, June 13, 2025, at her home in Hibbing. She was born March 16, 1947, to Willard and Bertha (Sarga) Carlson in Virginia, MN. She married Chris “Roger” Christiansen on October 11, 1964, in Hibbing. A homemaker by trade, Virginia fully enjoyed supervising her husband’s projects which...

Robert J. Martire

Robert J. Martire

Jun 11, 2025

Robert J. Martire, 70, lifelong resident of Hibbing died Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center-East Bank in Minneapolis, MN, surrounded by his children. He was born October 10, 1954, to Joseph and Inez (Catani) Martire in Grand Rapids, MN. Robert graduated from High School in 1974. He went to work in the mines...

Dr. Anthony R. Baraga M.D.

Dr. Anthony R. Baraga M.D.

Jun 10, 2025

Dr. Anthony R. Baraga, M.D.

Age 86 of Side Lake, MN, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025. He was born on May 26, 1939, in Chisholm, MN to Anton and Sylvia Baraga. He graduated from Chisholm High School in 1957 and attended college at Michigan College of Mining and Technology and the University of Minnesota, where he earned his bachelor's...

Terry C. Ricke

Terry C. Ricke

Jun 9, 2025

Terry C. Ricke, 72, lifelong resident of Hibbing died Monday, June 9, 2025, at his home in Hibbing. He was born June 26, 1952, to Clayton and Jeanette (Marchow) Ricke in Hibbing. Terry married Gail (Boldt) on March 3, 1973, in Hibbing. He was employed as a Shovel Runner for Minntac, retiring after 33 years of service. He was a...

Gary E. Verant

Gary E. Verant

Jun 7, 2025

Gary E Verant, age 95 of Hibbing, MN, passed away peacefully on June 7, 2025, at Heritage Manor in Chisholm, MN.He was born April 1, 1930, at his home in North Hibbing to Joseph and Emma (Pomeroy) Verant, and lovingly raised by Alex and Emma Fox. Gary grew up in Hibbing, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1948. He served...

Elisa M. Johnson

Elisa M. Johnson

Jun 6, 2025

Elisa M. Johnson, 47, Hibbing, passed away on Friday, June 6, 2025, at her home in Hibbing. She was born August 27, 1977, to Ludwig and Laura (Brown) Johnson in Park Rapids, MN.

Elisa was creative and would express it with painting. She enjoyed watching movies and shows as pastimes, and spending time with her family and friends was everything to...