Phyllis Tan, age 93 - was born on 11/28/1930 to Swan & Alma Peterson. She grew up on an 80-acre farm in Esko, MN, the youngest of six children. Following her graduation from Esko High School, Phyllis attended UMD and received an elementary education degree in teaching. She was united in marriage to Mel Tan, her high school sweetheart in 1954. Her 32-year teaching career included the elementary schools of Nettleton, Morgan Park, Garfield, and Churchill. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teacher’s sorority, P.E.O., member of the Cloquet Presbyterian Church and Journey Christian Church and served for many years on the Cloquet Young Life Board. She was a voracious reader, avid card player (hand & foot), major extrovert with an exceptional ability to ask questions and listen, which left people feeling valued. She loved Jesus, family and serving others.
Thomas Arthur Lavan, age 74, of Tamarack, MN passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023 at CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud, MN. He was born in Cloquet on July 27, 1949 to Gene and Betty (Decker) Lavan. He was united in marriage to Sharon Tobias on August 26, 2020, after a long and happy courtship. Tom grew up in Cloquet and graduated in 1968. When a young man, he was an avid hunter and trapper. He served on a Navy destroyer during the Vietnam war. He was a gifted mechanic and worked in mechanical positions at L&M Fleet Supply (Cloquet), ReachAll (Duluth), and Riverwood International (Deerwood). If it was broken, he could fix it. Fishing was his passion, and he was fortunate to live at a lakeside for many years. He enjoyed tinkering in his shop and making woodcrafts, especially to give as gifts. He nurtured a green thumb and his vegetable gardens overflowed with produce. He relished quiet moments at home and many outdoor adventures with Sharon.