Terry L. Lucier, 79, formerly of Walhalla, died peacefully at his home in Grand Forks, ND, on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

Terry was born on March 14, 1945, to George and Albena (Longtin) Lucier, in Walhalla, ND. He graduated from Walhalla High School with the class of 1964. Terry earned his teaching degree from Mayville State University and began his career in Lakota, ND. He met his wife to be, Joline Brossart and they were united in marriage on July 10, 1971, in Lakota. A couple years later Terry’s career brought he and his family back to Walhalla. It is no mystery to all that knew Terry, his passion for sports pulled him into coaching, including all ages of baseball, wrestling and football. He loved his student athletes and appreciated nothing more than helping them work toward their potential. His coaching/teaching passion along with a roaring voice that could silence a gymnasium earned him a nickname as “The Bear” which he carried proud his entire lifetime.
In his retirement, he revered stories about his past teams and their accomplishments, especially his 1983 Walhalla Football Team. His family was always dear to his heart, but all the athletes he coached throughout the years were truly a close second. Terry also enjoyed trips to the casino and as he said, “never lost.” He enjoyed going to his grandchildren’s events and never missed a family event. Terry was an avid Vikings and Twins fan. He wore a tough outer shell and had a boisterous personality, yet he was always a kindhearted man that was always there for his family when he was needed. Terry was a loving husband, father and grandfather that will be missed by all he knew.
Terry is survived by his four sons, Cole Lucier of Buffalo, MN, Beau Lucier of Mankato, MN, Luke (Dana) Lucier of Chippewa Falls, WI, & Sam Lucier of Grand Forks, ND; three grandchildren, Brody Lucier, Riggins Lucier and Isaac Lucier; former wife, Joline Lucier of Cavalier, ND; nieces, Randi (Mike) Smith and Robyn (Mike) Nugent of Moorhead, MN; the Plonsky family in the Montgomery, MN area; along with many other loving family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lucianne and Connie; and brother, Rodney.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, October 2 nd , from 5 – 7 p.m. at Askew Funeral Home in Walhalla. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 3 rd at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Walhalla with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. The interment will be in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery, Walhalla.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Walhalla Public School Athletic Department.

Virginia Hatlestad, age 94 of Adams, ND passed away on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the First Care Health Center of Park River.
Virginia N. Schultz was born March 18, 1930 in Marion, SD the daughter of the late Julius and Sarah Schultz. The family moved to the Lake Bronson, MN area in 1937. Virginia graduated from Karlstad Public School in 1948 and went to work as a nurse’s aide at the Grafton Hospital where she met her future husband, Donald Hatlestad.  They were married July 22, 1950 at the Jupiter Mission Church of rural Kennedy, MN and made their home in Adams, ND.  Don passed away on March 21, 2004. Virginia moved to the Good Samaritan Center in Park River and has lived there for the last 11 years. 
Virginia was an active member of the Adams Mountain Lutheran Church and WELCA. She retired from the Grafton State School after 16 years of service. She enjoyed baking, gardening, crocheting, sewing and painting. 
Virginia is survived by her children: Marnell Hatlestad, Valerie (Bill) Thornton, both of Greensboro, NC and Laurel Hatlestad of Grafton, ND.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and sister, Betty Clark.
Funeral services will be Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 2:00 PM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Visitation will be held for one hour piror to the service at the funeral home.

Nancy Anderson
June 14, 1958 — September 22, 2024
Cavalier

​ It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Nancy (Steenerson) Anderson, 66, of Cavalier, ND, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Encompass Health-Altru Rehab Hospital in Grand Forks. Her heart, which spent a lifetime pouring out love and dedication to others, simply decided it could not keep up with all she still had left to do.   Nancy was born on June 14, 1958, to parents Margery (Cochran) and Marlin Steenerson of Drayton. She cherished a childhood filled with lifelong friendships and the warmth of a supportive family. She made it her early life’s project to to manage two crazy brothers and a taga-long little sister. 
   Nancy graduated from Drayton Public School and immediately went to the University of North Dakota to pursue her dream of becoming a special education teacher. Nancy then spent a majority of her adult life working in special education, guiding countless students toward graduation with patience, understanding, and a hearty dose of humor. She had a remarkable gift for seeing the potential in every student, and many of them achieved things they never dreamed possible, thanks in no small part to her steady encouragement. She never sought the limelight but was the guiding light for so many who passed through her classroom. 
   Nancy met the love of her life, Dan, at a “social event”, and according to Dan, it was love at first site. Nancy always joked that it wasn’t quite first site for her, but he was very persistent, and she finally gave in to his quick wit and charm. They married on August 20, 1983. For over forty years, they built a comfortable life filled with travel, friends, family, joy, laughter, and endless love. 
   In their early years, Nancy and Dan loved to travel, exploring new places and making lasting memories. But as time passed, they found equal happiness on their farm, gardening side by side and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. Nancy lived vicariously through the adventures her siblings recounting, relishing every story and imagining herself part of the escapades. She always had a way of finding joy listening to the laughter of others. Though Nancy has left us too soon, her legacy lives on with her loving husband, in the students she uplifted, the family she cherished, and the many lives she touched along the way. May her heart, which worked so tirelessly to care for others, finally find rest. 
   She will be greatly missed but never forgotten. Nancy is preceded in death by her mother, Margery (Cochran) Steenerson, her father, Marlin Steenerson, her big brother, Bob Steenerson, (all of Drayton), and her nephew, Travis Gierszweski (Grand Forks). 
   She leaves behind her ever-faithful and loving husband, Dan Anderson of Cavalier, brother Tom Steenerson (Doreen), Grand Forks, sister Barbie Steenerson (Drayton), and numerous nieces and nephews.    
   Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Drayton United Methodist Church in Drayton, ND. Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 29, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier. 

Minnie H. Cole was born January 11, 1936 on the farm near Bechyne, ND, the daughter of Josephine Mary (Bina) Bosh and William Frank Bosh. Minnie was the 10th of 11 children and was the first in her immediate family to graduate from high school, Lankin High School Class of 1954.
Minnie was 6 years old when her mother died and tragically lost her father when she was 12 years old.   Minnie met Dennis Cole at a wedding dance in Lankin.  They were married on November 8, 1954 – they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary later this year.  Minnie & Dennis lived in Park River on the family farm and were loving parents to Brenda, Joan, Suellen & Dennis Jr.
Minnie was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was 36 years old but never complained despite multiple surgeries. Minnie was an excellent homemaker, cook & baker (especially kolaches). She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park River, St. Mary’s Altar Society where she held numerous offices and also taught religious education.
In her later years, Minnie & Dennis enjoyed traveling to casinos with her extended family.  Family was the most important part of her life and she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Minnie is survived by her husband, Dennis; children: Brenda Lang, Harvey, ND; Joan (Merle) Larson, Adams; Suellen (Stuart) Brunsvold, Park River and Dennis (Trisha) Cole Jr, Park River; grandchildren: Jessica (Bob Rotzien) Tipton, Tyler (Jessica Wilcox) Lang, Amanda (Robert) Goll, Elizabeth (Brett) Jacobs, Cole (Carmen) Larson, Beau Brunsvold (Katelynn Smedley), Peyton (Austin) Markel, Gracyn Cole, McKenna Cole, 14 great-grandchildren, sister: Genevieve (Ralph) Miller, sisters-in-law: LaVerne Bosh, Norma Maxwell & Marie Cole, as well as numerous nieces & nephews.
Minnie was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Chuck Lang, grandson-in-law Darnell Tipton, siblings: William (Georgia) Bosh, Barty Bosh, Florence (Ray) Jelinek, Leo Bosh, Marcy (Herman) Capouch, Josie (Bill) Brodina, Herman (Judy) Bosh, Dorothy (Bruno) Novak,  & Marian (Albert) Capouch; sisters & brothers in-law: Harvey (Naomi) Cole, Dorothy (Norbert) Libby, Evelyn (Theron) Bowen, William (Erna) Cole, Willane (Roland) Ulstad, Duane (Juliann) Cole, Norman Cole Jr, Hilliard Maxwell and Barbara (Myron) Kalgard.
Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, September 20th at 10:30 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Park River with visitation one hour before the service.  Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery of Park River. 

Peter J. Hunter, age 69 of Park River, ND, passed away on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the Altru Hospital of Grand Forks.
Peter was born July 27, 1955, the son of the late Willis “Cy” and Vera (Braun) Hunter.  He grew up and attended school in Park River, graduating from Park River High School.  He went on to attend NDSCS in Wahpeton.  Following his education he returned to Park River where he was united in marriage to Carolee Ellingson on May 17, 1980.  The couple made their home and raised their family in Park River. Carolee passed away in 2003 and he was later married to Laura Jelinek until 2018. He worked several jobs in the area, most recently for American Crystal Sugar.
He was a member of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church of Park River and a former member of the Park River Fire Department.
He is survived by his children: Carissa Hunter, Caylee (Brent) Ellingson, Carter (Madison) Hunter, Cadyn Hunter, all of Grand Forks, ND and Callan Hunter, Eugene, OR; 4 grandchildren; brother Mark (Dena) Hunter, Denver, CO; as well as several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carolee and daughter Caiya.
Memorial services will be Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.  Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery of Park River.

Terry R. Johnson, age 60, of Grafton, ND, formerly of San Francisco, CA, passed away on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Valley Senior Living in Grand Forks, ND.
Terry was born on August 20, 1964 in Grafton, ND to JoAnn (Misialek) West and Louis “Louie” Johnson.  He was a graduate of Grafton High School class of 1982.  After graduation he attended college in Crookston, MN before enlisting in the United States Navy, serving aboard the USS Conolly in Norfolk, VA.  Following his discharge from the Navy he worked in landscaping in Kansas City and Florida before moving back to Grand Forks where he worked for Simplot.  He then moved to San Francisco.  Due to a fall in 2018 from a five story building where he sustained several injuries, he returned to Grafton to live under his mother’s care.
Terry was an avid card player and loved all things sports.  He was most passionate about hockey and football.  His favorite teams will always be the ND Hawks and the Minnesota Vikings.  During his childhood while playing hockey, Terry and his team won the State PeeWee “76-77” and State Bantam “78-79” hockey tournaments.
Terry was a member of the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Grafton.  He was a strong believer in his Lutheran faith and would often quote passages and verses from the bible.  He loved listening to music, and doing activities with family.
Terry is survived by his mother JoAnn; father Louie; sister Tammy (Daniel) Schaf; sister Natalie (Ron) Slominski; son Andrew; three nephews: Ryan and Blake Schaf, Devin Slominski; two nieces: Autumn (Zach) Bowers and Lani Slominski; four great nephews: Kayden, Jhett, Axel, and Ace; and two great nieces: Karlene and Alaska.  He was preceded in death by his beloved parent Mort West and step-mother Joan Johnson.
During his final days, he was cared for by Hospice of the Red River Valley and the staff of Valley Transitions.
Private family viewing will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 9:30 AM with service to follow at 10:00 AM at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton. Interment will be at the Grafton City Cemetery.

Dean Delong Markel, 90, of Hoople, North Dakota, passed away Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Hoople, ND. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. 
Dean was born August 9, 1934 on the family farm near Hoople, ND the son of Albert and Cora (Porter) Markel. He grew up in the Hoople area and graduated from Hoople High School. Dean started farming upon graduating from high school. He had a real passion for his crops and cattle. On January 29, 1954, he married Wanda Carew, the love of his life, in Glasston, ND. Dean and Wanda were inseparable, and the only time they were every apart was when Dean went on a fishing trip with his son-in-law Roger. They had 2 children, Debra and Robert. For the first several years of their marriage, they wintered in California where he worked at Boeing Aircraft. Later in life, he and Wanda wintered in Fort Myers, Florida, and Arizona. He also loved his 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Always willing to teach them about the farm, go on countless tractor rides, take them to town for a treat at the cafe, and spending time with them at their place on Lake Melissa or their winter home. He was a life-long member of the Hoople Methodist Church.
He is survived by his children: Debra (Roger) Blair, West Fargo, ND and Robbie Markel, Hoople, ND, grandchildren: Corey Blair, Shawn Blair, Chris (Kara) Blair, Cody (Becky) Blair, Larissa (Jordan) Lindtwed, and Austin (Peyton) Markel, great-grandchildren: Sam Blair, Colton, Loella, and Xander Blair, Quintin, Rowan, and Flynn Blair, Luna and Lola Lindtwed. Also surviving are his siblings: Shirley Grinager, Albert Markel Jr., Donnie Markel, and Ruth Jackson.
Dean was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Cora, and his wife of 68 years, Wanda.

Mark B. Collins, 80, of Cavalier, North Dakota, passed away on September 9, 2024, at Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, North Dakota. Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Lutheran Church in Cavalier. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home in Cavalier. 
Full obituary to follow. 

Joanne Avanelle Anderson was born to Daniel “Lloyd” and Lucille (Wick) Ferguson on May 14, 1936.  She left this earth on September 8, 2024.  She was very proud of her Scottish heritage.
She spent most of her years caring for others and what a privilege it was to care for her.  She was raised on a farm near Adams, ND where she attended a one room school house.  Her mother Lucille, a teacher, contracted rheumatic fever, which damaged her heart.  Her mother passed when Joanne was just 13.
She married Allen Anderson on September 13, 1953 and together they had 6 children, 5 daughters and one son. The second tragic event of her life was the day her only son, Timothy, died in an accident on the farm in 1971.
She had a long career working at the Grafton State School, as it was known at that time. She became a strong advocate for the rights of the mentally handicapped.  She became a prominent voice in the move to deinstitutionalize those capable of learning job skills and living a fuller life. In 1984 she was a guest at the White House as a representative from North Dakota attending the Tenth Anniversary of the National Committee, Arts with the Handicapped.   She met with Senator Dorgan advocating for funding to educate and train those capable.
She also advocated for better pay and benefits for the Grafton State School workers and was a leader in a workers strike at the school. She served in various official roles and as a Director of the ND State Employees Association for several years.  She retired after more than 30 years in a role she loved, training the workforce.
After retiring, mom loved gardening, remodeling, remodeling and remodeling her house, having all of the grandchildren to stay, and continued her love of reading. She enjoyed having a bakery or lunch with the ladies of Park River and sharing books. 
She was the best back scratcher. She could make bread and never get the flour and gunk all over her hands. 
She was deeply loved and survived by her children: Diane (Jerome) Aune, Debra Anderson, Donna Anderson, Cheryl Anderson and Beverly (Russell) Saggerson.  She had 9 grandchildren: Sharon Beko, Shannon Aune, Sarah Jore, Troy Jelinek, Jessica Friezen, Zoe Flaten, Nick Saggerson, Brett Saggerson and Stephanie Saggerson.  She also had 11 great grandchildren: Josiah Beko, Jameison Beko, Izabelle Aune, Jack Aune, Damien Jore,  Benjamin Jore, Jaken Jore, Timothy (TJ) Friezen, Molly Friezen, Alexis Saggerson and Presley Saggerson.  She is also survived by her only niece, Judy LaVoie.
Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, husband Allen and son Timothy. 
Mom will be missed so very deeply.  She loved and she was loved.
Memorial Services will be Monday, September 16, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Park River, ND.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Inurnment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, ND.

Elizabeth R. “Betty” Soukup, age 93 of Lankin, ND, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Park River Good Samaritan Center.
Betty Votava was born May 21, 1931 on the family farm near Veseleyville, ND, the daughter of the late George and Anna (Suda) Votava.  She was baptized at the St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Veseleyville.  She was united in marriage to John Soukup on October 14, 1952 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church.  The couple made their home in the Lankin area where they raised their children: Deborah, Jeff and David John. She worked at the Lankin School as a cook and did typing for Joe Vorachek during tax time.  She later worked as a nurse’s aide at St. Ansgar’s Hospital before she started in the dietary department at First Care Health Center where she worked for 21 years before retiring.  The couple moved to Fargo in May of 2013 where they lived for 7 ½ years before moving to the Park River Good Samaritan Center.  John passed away on March 22, 2022.
Betty was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and was very active in the Altar Society. The couple raised a large garden and Betty took great pride planting the flowers that surrounded their home.  John, Deb and Jeff all helped with yard work and gardening.  She also enjoyed baking breads, kolaches, and pies for family dinners.  She was a talented seamstress and loved to crochet and do needle point.  Sundays were special for spending time with their children and grandchildren.  John and Betty took summer trips fishing and traveling throughout the states.
Betty is survived by her son Jeff, Fargo, ND; four grandchildren: Darin (Tiffany) Soukup, Christy (Jason) Mallon, Jennifer (Aaron) Ranzenberger, and Terry John Conlon; nine great grandchildren; sister Verna (Dennis) Beneda, Lankin, ND, as well as several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband John; children Deborah and John; and siblings: Aurelia Emery, Emil Votava, Clement Votava, Bertha (Fred) Hodny, and 4 infant siblings George, Ludvig, Lillian and Mary Ann.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Lankin.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery of Bechyne.