Jeffery Arent

Funeral service for Jeffery Roger Arent, 65, Blaine, took place Jan. 9 at Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids. Rev. Bernard Reiser officiated.

Arent died Jan. 2. He was born March 11, 1943 in Minneapolis to Lawrence Joseph and Lucille Laura (Klein) Arent and was the owner and chief executive officer of Riccar Heating and Air Conditioning Company.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Judy Lund; son, Jeffery Jr. (Tracy) Arent; daughter, Robin Arent; grandchildren, Ashley, Allison, Jake, Wesley; father, Lawrence Arent; brother, Jonathan (June); sister, Susie (Kurt) Sundeen; nephew, Kristofer; and niece, Melissa.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Arent; and brother, Jaime Arent.

Pallbearers were Jeff Arent Jr., Mark Fuller, Kurt Katterheinrich, Jim Renner, Jim Tiller and Jeff Wilch.

Interment was at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids. Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids.


Nathan Bearl

Funeral service for Nathan Randell Bearl, 28 of Camden, Ark., took place Jan. 8 at Cullendale First Baptist Church, Ark. Phillip Salmon officiated.

Bearl died Jan. 3 at Ouachita County Medical Center. He was employed by Armtec.   

He is survived by his wife, Holly Bearl; sons, Hylland and Hudson Bearl, all of Camden, Ark.; brother, Joshua Bearl; family friend, Lacy Coker, both of Plano, Texas; brother, Nicholas Bearl and wife Jenny of St. Francis; step-brother, Phillip Mestrich; mother, Terri Mestrich; stepfather, Richard Mestrich, all of Andover; nephews, Brysen Bearl of St. Francis, Jaxson Bradshaw and Max Bradshaw; niece, Britney Bradshaw; brother-in-law; Matt Bradshaw; sisters-in-law, Brooke Bradshaw and Taylor Dodson; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ginger and Berry Dodson all of Camden, Ark.; and great-nephew, Roen Grissom of Camden, Ark.; grandmothers, JoAnn Hagemo of Albertville and Donna Bachman; grandfather, Wendell Bearl all of Anoka; and many aunts, uncles, relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his father, Randell Paul Bearl; and grandfathers, W. Duane Hagemo and Dennis Ranstrom.

Interment was at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were by Proctor Funeral Home, Camden, Ark.


Alyssa Beattie

Funeral service for Alyssa Caroline Beattie, 18, Champlin, took place Jan. 9 at Servant of Christ Lutheran Church. Rev. Eric Walbolt officiated.

Beattie died unexpectedly Jan. 4 at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby. She was born Oct. 17, 1990 in St. Louis Park to Richard Fred and Dorinda Christine (Forsell) Beattie and was a student at Champlin Park High School.

She is survived by her parents, Rich and Dori; brother, Luke; grandmothers, Cary and Dorothy; seven aunts; seven uncles; many cousins; best friend, Laura; and many other friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Bill and Jack; and great-grandmother, Lillie.

Pallbearers were Brian, Dale and David Forsell, David and Michael Beattie and Craig Makholm.

Interment was at Champlin Cemetery. Arrangements were by Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka.


Dorothy Downing

Memorial service for Dorothy Mildred Downing, 83, Elk River, took place Jan. 12 at United Methodist Church of Anoka. Rev. Bill Eaves officiated.

Downing died Jan. 5 at Guardian Angels Care Center, Elk River. She was born Aug. 6, 1925 in Coon Rapids to Peter and Ida (Swanson) Sorteberg.

She is survived by her daughters, Terrie (Errol) Sandberg, Sandra (Gary) Steinke, Cheryl Davis, Pamela (Chuck) Ronnebaum; grandsons, Jeff and Brent Steinke, Jon Davis, Brian, Rick and Jarrod Dehn; great-grandchildren, Kyle and Ashley Steinke, Connor, Brody, Anna and Emily Dehn; brothers, Allen Sorteberg, Richard (Carolyn) Sorteberg; and sisters, Elaine (Russ) Farrell, Marilyn (Don) Clark, Marge (Buzz) Portnoff.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, founder of Downing Jewelry, Anoka; and brother, Leland Sorteberg.

Interment was at Forest Hill Cemetery, Anoka. Arrangements were by Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka.


Morris Eidsvoog

Funeral service for Morris P. “Ozzie” Eidsvoog, 77, Blaine, took place Jan. 3 at Bridgewood Community Church, Blaine. Rev. Tom Stuart officiated.

Eidsvoog died Dec. 29 in Coon Rapids. He was born Feb. 11, 1931 in Chicago, Ill., to Magnar and Signe Eidsvoog and was a warehouse supervisor for American Hospital Supplies.

He is survived by his children, Robert (Grace), Donna (Gary) Schultz, Ken (Jerri), Jeff (Jody), Jason (Tanda); 23 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; sister, Margrethe (Steve) Schwellenbach of Chicago, Ill.; special friend, Delores Kimbell and her daughters Sharon and Joan and their families; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; parents, Magnar and Signe; and brother, John.

Interment was at Morningside Memorial Gardens, Coon Rapids. Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids.


LuAnn Eirich

Funeral service for LuAnn M. Eirich, 63, Coon Rapids, took place Jan. 10 at Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids.

She is survived by her children, John (Leigh), Jeff (Jenny) and Monica (Marcel) Chevrette; grandchildren, Tyler, Conrad, Austin, Johann, Carson, Alyssa and Nathan; mother, LaVerne Cremers; brothers and sisters, Dale (Kathryn) Cremers, Sheila (Stan) Pedersen, Linda (John) Cope and Duane (Char) Cremers; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans; and father, Harold Cremers.

Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.


Gary Enge

Memorial service Gary L. Enge, 52, Anoka, took place Jan. 10 at Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka.

He is survived by his wife, Terry; daughters, Megan and Katie; sisters, Eileen Weinhold (Lee), Rhonda Brady (Rick); and brother, David Enge (Joelyn); father in-law Bill Madden, aunts, uncles, cousins; and many nieces, nephews and friends.


Donald Esmay

Funeral service for Dr. Donald L. Esmay, 91, Coon Rapids, took place Jan. 15 at Coon Rapids United Methodist Church. Rev. Mark Miller officiated.

Esmay died Jan. 11. He was born Nov. 1, 1917 in Murdo, S.D., to Ernest L. and Jessie G. (Spears) Esmay. He led the 147th Field Artillery Band in the South Pacific for over three years during World War II and was a retired research chemist at 3M with 22 years of service. He was a former member of the Anoka-Ramsey Community College Advisory Board and the Mercy Hospital Board, was active in Scouting, earning the Silver Beaver Award, chaired the Coon Rapids United Methodist Church Day Care Center Board and was a member of the North Suburban Community Band until he was 89 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Lola “Sally;” children and in-laws, Dr. Joel and Sue Beck-Esmay, Julie and Alan Hawkinson, John and Deborah Esmay, Joni and Kevin Hogie, Jani Esmay Bialke, Jay and Leticia Esmay; 19 grandchildren; and brother, Jerry (Mickie) Esmay.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Zelda Cummins.

Pallbearers were Joshua Beck-Esmay, Marcus, Donald, Collin and Brinkman Esmay, Trevor Bialke and John and Kyle Hogie. Honorary pallbearer was Caleb Hawkinson.

Interment was at Joyce Chapel Cemetery, Coon Rapids. Arrangements were by Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home, Andover. 


Helen Henrikson

Funeral service for Helen E. Henrikson, 94, Fridley, took place Jan. 3 at Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids. Rev. Gary Miller officiated.

Henrikson died Dec. 27 in Coon Rapids. She was born Dec. 20, 1914 in Chicago, Ill., to George and Flora Ries and was a retired dental assistant.

She is survived by her son, Jim (Joan) Brazelton of Texas; step-sons, William (Dorothy) Reis of Wisconsin and David (Marianne) Henrikson of Minneapolis; step-daughter-in-law, Rose Reis of Connecticut; grandsons, John and Mark Brazelton; 12 step-grandchildren; 20 step-great-grandchildren; three step-great-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Emil Henrikson; and step-son, Alan Reis.

Pallbearers were the youth group of Blessed Fellowship of Christ Our Redeemer Church.

Interment was at Cedar Cemetery, Oak Grove. Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids.


Thomas Ingvoldstad

Funeral service for Thomas Perry Ingvoldstad, 59, Coon Rapids, took place Jan. 12 at Advent Lutheran Church. Rev. Bob Linstrand officiated.

Ingvoldstad died Jan. 7. He was born Aug. 22, 1949 at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, Calif., to Orlando Ingvoldstad II and Marcella Jackson Osterberg and was an accoustical carpenter.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen; son, Brian (Carolyn); daughters, Jennifer and Sara (Andy) Gable and their mother Diane Hughes; mother, Marcella; brothers, Orlando III (Diane), David and Timothy (Brenda); sister, Marcella Louise; stepchildren, Calvin Jr. and Steven Prince, Connie (James) Forrest; and five grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Orlando II.

Pallbearers were Brian, Orlando III, David and Timothy Ingvoldstad, James Samuelson and Philip Nesse. Honorary pallbearers were Gerald Beckwell and Calvin Jr. and Steven Prince.

Arrangements were by Gearhart Anoka Funeral Home.


James Pieles

Funeral service for James R. “Jimmy” Pieles, 57, Isanti, took place Jan. 2 at Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids. Dan Schuster officiated.

Pieles died Dec. 28. He was born May 3, 1951 in Minneapolis to Mitchell and Stella Pieles and was a machinist for BAE Systems for 39 years.

He is survived by his brother, Richard (Patricia); sister, Carolyn (John) Hanson; sister-in-law, Roxanne; nieces, Kris Almen, Sheri Johnson, Shelli Emmans, Kerri Keane, Suzanne Hill, Jody Pieles; nephews, Ken Pieles and Jeffrey Hanson; aunts, Stella Stwora and Alice (Ted) Pietruszewski; and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mitchell and Stella; brother, Gerald; and sister, Kathleen.

Pallbearers were Ken Pieles, Dennis Almen, Dean Hill, Jay Emmans and Dan and Frank Johnson.

Interment was at Gethsemane Cemetery, New Hope. Arrangements were by Gearhart Funeral Home, Coon Rapids.


Darius Sampson

Funeral service for Darius Sampson, 7, Coon Rapids, took place Jan. 9 at Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.

Arrangements were by Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel.


Lila Strandlund

Funeral service for Lila Ruby Strandlund, 88, Coon Rapids, took place Dec. 20 at Faith Lutheran Church, Coon Rapids. Rev. Ken Knutson officiated.

Strandlund died Dec. 15 at Mercy Hospital. She was June 28, 1920 in Comfort Township, Kanabec County, to Andrew and Amelia Yute. She retired at age 73 and worked part-time until she was 78 as a human service technician at Anoka State Hospital.

She is survived by her sister, Ruby Mattson; daughters, Sharon Strandlund and Sandy Bjerkness; grandchildren, Darron and Laura Dickinson, Derek Dickinson and fiance Oana Toma; great-grandchildren Morgan, Dylan and Raegan; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Rodney Strandlund;  sisters, Evelyn and May; and brother, Donald.

Pallbearers were Derek, Dean, Darron and Darryl Dickinson and Zonnie and Lonnie Strandlund. 

Interment was at Rice Lake Cemetery, Braham.  Arrangements were by the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home, Braham. 


Ronald Vannelli

Funeral service for Ronald L, Vannelli, 80, St. Paul, took place Jan. 15 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, St. Paul.

Vannelli died Jan. 11. He was retired from NSP with 33 years of service and the Minnesota State Fair with 50 years of service. He was a longtime official for MSHSL, WCHA, WHA and NHL.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters, Teri Boland, Mary Pat (Brian) Mulally; sons, Ronald (Darlene), Gregory (Sue), Thomas (Teri), Mark (Erin), Michael (Laurie); stepdaughter, Rochelle (Dan) Lueck; stepson, Jeffrey (Jill) Harris; 28 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Arlene; aunts, Alvine and Elsie; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Darlene; brother, Roger; son, Richard; stepson, Daniel Harris; and son-in-law, John Boland. 

Interment was at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements were by Mueller-Bies Funeral Home-Roseville.

Delbert White

Graveside service for Delbert Francis White, 81, Anoka, will take place in the spring at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

White died Jan. 7. He was born July 19, 1927 in Fonda, Iowa, to Ernest and Blanche Gertrude (Mullens) White. He was a retired electrician at Federal Cartridge, Anoka.

He is survived by his brother, Merton (Margaret) White of Sioux City, Iowa; sister-in-law, Fran (Louie) Mennenga of Belmond, Iowa; niece, Donna Stabelford of Storm Lake, Iowa; adopted daughter, Dianne “DeeDee” McCormick of St. Peter; grandchildren, Holly (Jeff) DeMarce and Mark (Wendy) McCormick; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice; and his parents.

Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Arrangements are by Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, Anoka.