Elaine Trana, age 92 of Park River, ND (formerly of Hoople, ND) passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Center of Park River. 
Elaine Wittkopp was born April 3, 1932 in Breckenridge, Minnesota to the late Charles and Tena (Buchholz) Wittkopp.  She was raised and attended school in Wyndmere, ND.
On June 13, 1954, Elaine was united in marriage to Gordon Trana, after he returned home following his service during the Korean War. They made their home in Wyndmere, until relocating to Hoople, ND in 1970.  Elaine and Gordon owned and operated the Hoople Bar. 
Elaine was a member of First Lutheran Church of Hoople and the American Legion Auxiliary.  She loved her bible studies at church and handheld solitaire. She cherished her time with her family at Dead Lake, MN.  Elaine was often spoiling her loved ones with their favorite baked goods, dinner rolls, creamy caramels, and chocolate layered dessert.   
Elaine will be missed dearly by her children: Brenda (Douglas) Samson, Cavalier, ND and Scott (Cynthia) Trana, Rosemount, MN; grandchildren: Christopher Rinde, Shanna (Chuck) Jerrick, Travis Rinde, Alexander Trana, and Parker Trana; and great grandchildren: Brooke Jerrick, Claire Jerrick, Charles Jerrick, Jack Jerrick, Kara Rinde O’Hara, Caleb Rinde, and Collin Rinde.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, grandsons Rinde infant twins, and great granddaughter Ava Jerrick. 
Funeral services will be Friday, September 6, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church of Hoople, ND.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be at Hoople City Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to First Lutheran Church of Hoople. 

​Diane Slominski, 75, of Minto, ND passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, on August 29, 2024 after a short battle with aggressive cancer. 
Diane Dorothy Osowski was born on November 16, 1948 in Grand Forks, ND to parents of Harry and Dorothy (Rogalla) Osowski.  She was raised in rural Oslo, MN on the family farm.  Her early grade school days were spent at St. Anthony School in Warsaw, ND and graduated from Oslo High School in 1966.  She attended Nursing school in Wahpeton, ND, earning her degree as a licensed practical nurse.
Diane was a Licensed Practical Nurse for 52 years, and also received a special certificate of achievement from the ND Board of Nursing for her many years of service.  She held many nursing jobs in both Grand Forks and Grafton, spending the last 30 years of her career with REM, supporting people with disabilities.
On July 19, 1969 Diane married Kenneth Slominski at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Warsaw, ND and lived in rural Minto, ND.
The couple welcomed three children, Kristin, Karlynn, and Kameron.
Diane was the epitome of a farm wife, handling many administrative duties for the farm as- well as working in the fields. She did anything that was asked of her from climbing on the combine to wash windows or driving a beet truck.  In addition to holding down a full-time job, she cooked and took meals to the fields during harvest. She also baked, had a huge garden, and did a lot of canning. 
Diane enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors, playing golf and card and was a member of the Warren Golf league for many years. She was a member of the Country Gals Homemakers Club, Minto Women’s Legion Auxiliary and the Minto Bridge club.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially attending their school and sporting events.
Diane is survived by her husband of 55 years, Kenneth Slominski; children, Kristin (Jason) Zilka of Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Sarah (Alex), Emily, Robin, and Jacob; Karlynn (Cory) Von Rueden of East Grand Forks, MN, grandchildren, Rylan and Brycen; and Kameron (Mandy) Slominski of Manvel, ND; grandchildren, Kenady and Gaven; brother Carl (Jane) Osowski of Oslo, MN, and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents Harry and Dorothy Osowski, brother: Eddie Osowski, sister: JoAnn Gowan, and Kenneth’s parents, Steve and JoAnn Slominski.
A public visitation will be open from 5:00 to 7:00pm followed by a prayer service on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oslo, MN.  Friends may also call at the church on Wednesday for one hour prior to the service. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oslo, MN. 
Interment: St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Warsaw, ND. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials to the St. Stanislaus Preservation Fund or the St. Stanislaus Cemetery Fund both of Warsaw, ND.

Roderick M. Praska, age 59, passed away Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital of Minneapolis, MN after a short illness.
Rod was the son of Declan and the late Rosalie Praska.  He was born and raised in Grafton, ND.  Rod was a graduated of Grafton High School.  
After graduation, he moved to California in 1984 where he worked as an auto technician.
In 1987, he had an accident that left him paralyzed.  In 1995, he moved to the Courage Center in Minneapolis, MN.  In 2001, moved into an apartment in Minneapolis.
He is survived by his father Declan; brother Tim; and several uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Pisek, ND.

Helen Hills, 91, of Glasston, ND, passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Altru Hosptial in Grand Forks, ND. A memorial service will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bathgate Presbyterian Church in Bathgate, ND. Visitation will be held on hour before the service at the church. 
Helen J. Macken was born May 12, 1933, in Grafton, ND to Mildred (Ray) and Otto Macken. She grew up on the family farm near Glasston, ND where she attended grade school and graduated from St. Thomas High School. She went on to pursue her nursing degree from Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Grand Forks, ND. Her nursing career spanned many years working in hospitals in California, Drayton, Grafton and Cavalier, ND. She was well known for her care and compassion while helping to deliver many babies over the extent of her career before retiring in 1993.
Helen married Donald Hills November 17, 1956, and they made their home on the family farm near Glasston.
Survivors include daughters: Cindy (Bruce) Henschel, Glasston, ND, Toni (Kelly) Brown, Bathgate, ND, and Jodi Hardebeck, Lisbon, ND; grandchildren: Jennifer Knudsen, Kyle (Lyndsey) Switzer, Travis Brown (Emily Berdan), Amy Long, Reece Brown, and Levi (Brenna) Brown, great grandchildren: Hannah and Liam Knudsen, Jude, Adeline, and Lyla Switzer, and Maclin and Keira Brown. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Maxine Wilson.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Harland Larson and son-in-law Mark Hardebeck.

  Lois G.S. Hardy, 92, of Walhalla, ND passed away Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Walhalla Ambulance Service or the Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla. ​

Cecil W. Johnson, 82, of Cavalier, North Dakota, passed away on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Wedgewood Manor in Cavalier. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Vikur Lutheran Church in Mountain, ND. A visitation will be held on Monday, August 12, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier, ND. 
 Cecil Wayne Johnson was born February 20, 1942 at Akra, ND to Bennie and Sigurdur Kristine Johnson. He grew up and attended country school near Hallson and graduated from Mountain High School. In 1964, he served in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort Riley before his service in Vietnam. He was discharged from the service in 1966.
 On September 27, 1969, he married Gail Ralston at Hensel, ND. Cecil worked as a carpenter for Roy Johnson, Nupdal and Abrahamson Construction. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, and baking. He was a former Commander of the Mountain American Legion.
 He is survived by his children: Wendy Brusseau, Walhalla, ND, Wayne (Shari) Johnson and Tami Johnson all of Cavalier, ND, grandchildren: Dalton, Dylan, and Jayde Brusseau, Tanner (Madison), Brayden, and Jasmyn (fiancé, Gordon Emslie).
 Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, Gail, and brothers, Dennis and Eugene Johnson. 

Pamela F. Eckland, age 62 of Grafton, ND passed away on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at her home, after a courageous battle with cancer. 
Pam was born on September 8, 1961 to the late Waldemar and Vernel (Haroldson) Anderson in Staples, MN.  She was raised and attended public schools in Staples, graduating from Staples High School in 1979.  After graduation she began working.  In May of 1983, she united in marriage to Bob. They made their home in Montgomery, MN and together they had four children.   
Pam made her way north, settling in Grafton, ND.  She began working for Marvin Windows were she had 20 years of employment.  Pam enjoyed spending time with her friends, playing cornhole, and faithfully watching the Minnesota Vikings.  
She is survived by her children: Anna (Tyler) Anderson, Fergus Falls, MN, Hattie Eckland, Spooner, WI, and Tim (Rachelle) Eckland, Blaine, MN; six grandchildren; siblings: Cheryl Kosowski, Kim (Paul) Gerou, and Mike (Angela) Anderson, friend Butch Hanks, and several nieces and nephews.  Pam was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dar Anderson. 
A Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton at 10:00 am. Please come and share your memories and stories of Pam.  A family service will be held at a later date in Staples, MN. 

Richard W. “Dick” Mitchell 83, of Crystal, ND passed away peacefully at his home after a seven year long battle with Parkinsons, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the Crystal United Methodist Church in Crystal, ND. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND.
 Dick was born February 16, 1941 in Grafton, ND to Richard J. and Sarah “Sadie” (Chapman) Mitchell. He joined sister, Mary Carlyn. He attended Crystal Elementary and High School, graduating in 1959. At the age of 16, he started farming with his father. He went on to attend ND State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, studying Farm Machinery Tech. Richard then returned to the family farm to continue farming with his dad. 
 On August 5, 1967, he was united in marriage to Shirley Lewis. Five children were born to this marriage, Connie, Richard, Melissa, Kari, and Katy, extended family Tomoe Nakamura, in Japan and Liv Kamfjord Hamar and Tove Lofthus both of Norway.
 Dick enjoyed threshing shows and spending time with family and friends. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting, going out to Hulett WY and the Badlands. Dick was a member of the Grafton Pistol Club, North Dakota Shooting Sports Association, lifetime member of the Crystal Township, where he held various offices, a lifetime member of the NRA and the NE Pioneer Machinery Association. He was also a founding member of the Pembina County Historical Society-Machinery Division. Richard was an avid collector of guns and antique tractors, in later years he followed the tractor pulling circuit.
 Survivors include his wife, Shirley, children: Connie (Andy) Gustafson, Richard T. (JoAnn Trosen) Mitchell, Melissa Kilzer, Kari Mitchell, Katy (Ross) Johnson, grandchildren: Tom (Shelby) Mitchell, Lexee (Devin) Garberg, Briar Gustafson, Eryn, Liam, and Clay Kilzer, and Macy Johnson, sister, Mary Carlyn Mitchell Steffenson Smith.
 Preceding him in death were his parents, son-in-law, Jeff Kilzer, brothers-in-laws, Merlyn ‘Bud” Steffenson, Charles Lewis, Jerry Lewis, Roy Spiekermeier, and Glenn Fontaine.

Stanley Gordon Restemayer, 62, of Hoople, North Dakota, entered into eternal rest on August 1, 2024. Born on December 15, 1961, in Cavalier, North Dakota, to Sterling and Mae Restemayer, he was blessed with a life marked by steadfast dedication to his family and work. A man of the earth, Stan served diligently as a farm hand for Jerry and Steve Olson for 37 years, embodying the virtues of loyalty and perseverance. His gentle presence and generous spirit, though quiet, touched the hearts of those who knew him, bringing joy and laughter to his community and loved ones.
Throughout his life, Stan's deep love for the natural world was evident in his hobbies. His days hunting, fishing, and golfing were not just pastimes, but sources of immense joy and passion. He cherished the simple moments spent with his brother Bob, ‘checking the crops.’ Stan's love for his great-nieces and nephews reflected his affection and kindness.
Stan's legacy will be cherished and carried on by his brothers, Duane (Rhea) Restemayer of Edinburg, ND, and Bob Restemayer of Hoople, ND; his sister, Carrie (Barry) Atherton of Devils Lake, ND; Joe Restemayer of Maxwell, TX; and his stepson, Bradley (Lori) Hannesson of Cooperstown, ND. His memory will also be honored by the numerous nieces, nephews, great- nieces, and great-nephews who revered him deeply. 
He joins his parents in Heaven, Sterling and Mae, and his brothers, Sterling (Bear) and Mark, who preceded him in passing.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time. To commemorate Stan's life, a memorial service will be convened on the 10th of August 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND, with an opportunity for family and friends to assemble for visitation one hour prior.