Ralph Stanley Johnson, 88, passed away gracefully on Tuesday, January 16th while residing at CentraCare Care Center in Willmar. In his early 80’s, Ralph met the challenges of Parkinson’s Dementia
Ralph Stanley Johnson, 88, passed away gracefully on Tuesday, January 16th while residing at CentraCare Care Center in Willmar. In his early 80’s, Ralph met the challenges of Parkinson’s Dementia and its effect on his mind, his greatest gift, with courage. He was surrounded by his loving family with whom he was able to acknowledge the quality of his life with them prior to his passing. He had previously stated that his “mission in life was to do something meaningful.” He more than accomplished this dream and life goal.
Thomas E. Stone passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2023 after a four plus year battle with lung cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas T. Stone and Ruth Busch; sister and brother-in-law Carol and Kenneth LaValle; sister and brother-in-law Kaye and David Camacho; brother-in-law Roy Holsten; and sister-in-law Sandy Johnson, Tom is survived by wife Janet; son, Aaron (Beth) of Eagan, MN; daughter, Amy (Michael) Hunter of Maplewood, MN; grandson Jack Stone of Eagan, MN; U.S. Marine Corporal Thomas Sherman of San Diego, CA; sister Iona Holsten of Stillwater, MN; sister Ruth Ann Stone of Sauk Center, MN; brother-in-law Bill Johnson of Apple Valley, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Nancy Otos, age 80, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. A life-long Duluth resident, Nancy led an unconventional life and was a pioneer for women. She had an unplanned pregnancy in 1965 when there were few options for women outside of adoption. Nancy made the courageous decision to keep her baby and went back to school to earn her teaching degree with the support of Lutheran Social Services. She became an English teacher at Proctor High School, where her passion for literature, theatre, and sharing ideas inspired many young people for 30 years. She was a tough teacher, but she taught both her students and her daughter to be intelligent, independent, and brave.