Recent obituaries. Please see DockPosts for earlier obituaries.

Heegaard, Joanne P. Age 73, of Plymouth, passed away on December 23, 2011. She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 50 years, David B. Heegaard, her adoring children and grandchildren: Laura (Andre) LaBerge (David, Tegan and Charles) of Maple Grove; Franklin (Suzanne) Heegaard (Ellyn, Ruth, Lisa, Kate, Janae, Hope) of Sycamore, IL; and Deborah (Patrick) McMahon (Finn, Simon, Gillian) of Minneapolis, as well as her sister Willa (Bill) Bianchi of Grants Pass, OR, and her very special friends, Karen and Keith Benjamin of Davenport, IA. Joanne was born on December 28, 1937 in Manhattan, KS, the eldest child of Franklin and Ferne Parsons. She graduated from Robbinsdale High School and attended Graceland College and Iowa State University. Later in life she proudly finished her college degree in journalism from Metro State University. Joanne was a hard-working, caring and devoted wife and mother who left a legacy for her children in her lake home and tree farm near Pine River, Minnesota. She taught her children and grandchildren from an early age to love and nurture the environment. Her memory will be strong among the tall pines by Lake Ada. Joanne also had many hobbies and interests. She was a voracious reader, gourmet cook and health food affectionado. She was skilled in rug hooking and enjoyed travelling with her husband Dave to many different places, especially after the plane ride was over. She was the detailed weeder and maintainer of multiple landscape projects undertaken by her and Dave, and thoroughly enjoyed feeding and watching the birds and other wildlife that ventured near her kitchen windows. Joanne had a tender and sensitive soul. A lifelong seeker of truth, she wasn't afraid to ask the hard questions and trust in Jesus as her Savior and the Son of God. She will be deeply missed. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 28th at 10:30 a.m. at Messiah Methodist, 17805 County Road 6, Plymouth, MN 55447.

Elizabeth “Liz” Mary Clodfelder, passed away Tuesday, May 24, at her Smith Estates home on Lake Ada. She was born February 2, 1945, daughter of Archie and Elene Shamp. She is survived by her husband, Lynn, children, Michele, Rhonda, Kelly and Brian, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and sisters, Isabel Carlson, Agnus Farnum and Patricia Melby. Lynn and Liz lived in Rhode Island and Florida while Lynn served in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning to Pine River her dream of living on Lake Ada came true in 1976. Services were held Saturday, May 28, at Our Lady of Lourdes church, Pine River.

Muriel G. Berglund, age 74, of Rocky Glen passed away May 12, 2011 in Bloomington. She was preceded in death by her husband, David, in 2005. She is survived by three children, Gail, Katharine and Chris; six grandchildren, and a sister, Jan Nelson. Muriel and David were long-time residents of Lake Ada. Funeral services were held Monday, May 16 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, with Interment at Fort Snelling.

Harry P. Gutknecht, 76, of South Shore Acres, passed away March 1, 2011, at home in rural Cedar Falls, IA. He is survived by his wife, Roberta, two daughters, Debbie and Connie, four grandchildren, one great-grandchild, a brother, Lawrence, and a sister, Rose. Harry graduated from Hudson High School, attended Iowa State University and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was a farmer and owned Midwest Tour and Travel. The Gutknechts purchased their Lake Ada property in 1984; their family has been on Lake Ada since 1934. Services were held Saturday, March 5th, at Hammond Ave. Brethren Church in Waterloo, IA.

William A. Young, 77, of Minneapolis and Ada Pine Beach, passed away January 19, 2011. He is survived by his wife, Marian, and seven children, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Roberta, Bonita, Mary Jo, Chuck and Mark, 19 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister, Jackie. A former owner of Young's Flowers, and avid Harley Davidson rider, in his later years he enjoyed retirement and fishing at the family cabin on Lake Ada. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, Jan. 24th in Bloomington, with interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Lorraine Sadecki, 81, of Ada South Shore Acres, died Wednesday, October 27, 2010, in New Hope, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, George, who died in 2003, and an infant son, David. She is survived by one daughter, Sandy, two sons, Gary and Timothy, three granddaughters and a sister. George and Lorraine purchased their property in Lake Ada’s south bay in 1964. They spent many years building, maintaining, entertaining and enjoying life on Lake Ada. A Mass of Christian Burial was held October 30th in Minneapolis.

Maxine Lafrenz, 84, of Sunrise Point, died Thursday, October 21, 2010 in Prior Lake, MN. Maxine married Donald Lafrenz in 1948 in Nashua, IA. They eventually moved to Mason City, where they operated Don Lafrenz Ford, Lincoln, Mercury.  Don passed away in 1985. Maxine is survived by four children, Debbie, Gary, Ronald and Janine, eleven grandchildren and two sisters. Don and Maxine were long-time Lake Ada residents. Her family purchased their lake property in 1916 as part of a hunting and fishing partnership comprised of Iowa friends. Services were held October 29 in Mason City, IA.

Arlene H. Brastad, 83, of Cedar Ridge, died Saturday, October 16, 2010, in New Hope, MN. Arlene was born in 1927 in Sleepy Eye, MN. She married Russell Brastad in 1946. Retiring in 1993, she enjoyed many days at the Brastad cabin on Lake Ada. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents. She is survived by her sons, Ronald, Gary, Richard and Michael, three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, four sisters and a brother. Services were held Wednesday, October 20th at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Randall, MN, with interment at Randall Cemetery.

Richard H. “Dick” Lahn, 69, of Anoka/Silver Bay and Smith Estates, Lake Ada, passed away August 12, 2010, in Duluth, after a courageous battle with cancer. Dick was a longtime electrical engineer at Honeywell and Alliant Technology. He also worked with Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program for middle high school students. He is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Ferguson; sons Rick (Denise), Matt (Melissa) and Aaron (Connie); stepchildren; and 14 grandchildren. Lynne Ferguson is a long time resident of Lake Ada. A memorial service was held Saturday, August 21, at First Memorial Funeral Chapel, Edina.

John P. Lilja, 86, of Sunset Beach, passed away April 7, 2010, in Minneapolis. He is survived by his wife, Marlys, three children, Chris, Phil and Jamie, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, two brothers and a sister-in-law. John was a life-long charter member of the Socius Club, which started in 1939 at Edison High School. He served with the 257th Ordinance Company, 2 years in the ETO with 5 major battle stars during WWII. He began his working career as an English teacher and later became a sales representative in the HVAC Industry. John loved family, flying, fishing and was a friend to all. John Lilja was a long-time Lake Ada resident and served on the Ada Lake Association Board of Directors from 1991 through 1997, serving as Vice President from 1994 to 1997 and as Secretary in 1993. A memorial service was held April 13th at Sunset Funeral Home in Minneapolis.

Michael J. Brening, age 51, formerly of Clearwater Haven, passed away Friday, April 10, 2009, in Pine River. He was born April 24, 1957, in Minneapolis, and married Carol Martin in 1979. He is survived by wife Carol, two sons, two grandchildren, a sister and a brother. He was self-employed as a carpenter. Services will be held at a later date.

Carol Kline, 76, Smith Drive, passed away Thursday February 5, 2009. She was born December 25, 1932, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She was survived by her husband, Alvin, four children, Elaine, Deb, Rod and Dennis, two sisters, two brothers, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held February 10th at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes, with burial at Pine Ridge Cemetery, Pine River.

Edwin E. Olson, 79, formerly of Lake Ada Park, passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2007 in Neenah, Wisconsin. He was survived by two sons, Bruce and Brian, their families, and one sister. Memorial services were held Saturday, September 8, 2007, in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Bonnie Warner Alexander, 57, Smith Drive, died August 18, 2007, in Pine River. She had served on the Ada Lake Association Board of Directors since 2003. She was survived by two sons, Loren and Jessen, one daughter, Meggan, five grandchildren, three brothers, one sister, her stepmother, and special friend, Larry Gill. A memorial service was held at Vangstad Auditorium on the Campus of Valley City State University on Wednesday, August 29.

Rodney Lee Mecklenberg, 76, Spring Beach Drive, passed away August 26, 2007. He was survived by his wife of 54 years, Carrie Ann, five children, seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and four siblings. Services were held August 29th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Backus.

Kenneth Tisher, age 70, Ada South Shore Lane, passed away Wednesday May 23, 2007. Services were held on Tuesday, May 29th at First Lutheran Church in Pine River.

Robert Brunhuber, 71, of Sunset Beach, passed away December 21, 2006, following a six-month battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; daughters Cathy, Patty and Barbara; son, Jim; daughter-in-law, Tammy Hathaway; brother, Dick; 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held Saturday, December 30th at Riverview Church in Pine River.

Diane Pattinson, 71, of Ada South Shore Lane, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2006, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. She was survived by her son Dan, daughter Beth, brother Jeff, sisters Jeannine and Cindy, and three grandchildren. Services were held Saturday, December 2nd at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River.

George Erhard, 72, Cedar Ridge, passed away September 4, 2006 at his home on Lake Ada. He is survived by friend and former wife, Beverly, three children and five grandchildren. George was a key figure in the early years of the Ada Lake Association. He was very active in Association meetings, projects and social events. Services were held September 8th at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pine River. Burial was at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley, MN.

George Ronning, Smith Estates, died July 3, 2006 in Elk River, MN.

Allen A. ("Al") Hardy, 77, former Lake Ada Dream of the Northwoods landowner, passed away April 30, 2006, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. He is survived by wife Pat, of Pequot Lakes, three children, all of Pine River, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services were held on Friday, May 5th at First Lutheran Church, Pine River, with interment at Norwood Cemetery.

Cyril ("Cy") Brown, Smith Estates, 86, of Apple Valley died following a fight against cancer. He was survive by his wife Marge, son, Jeff (Joan), daughter, Beth (Tim) Novaczyk, grandchildren, Ricci, Jamie & Zac, great grandchildren, Jaiden Rose & Talon, and sisters, Lorraine Woog and Bonnie Dick.

Reverend Karl F. Redelsheimer of Rocky Glen, died February 24, 2006 in Swedish American Hospital, Rockford. A pastor for many years, he was survived by wife Lynne, and sons John R., Reverend Karl R. and James.

Roger Ostroot, Sandy Beach, was 72 when he passed away December 8, 2005 in Rochester, Minnesota. The Ostroots moved to Lake Ada in 1992 and immediately became active in lake-associated projects. Roger joined the Ada Lake Association Board of Directors in 1996 and served through 2005. He also served as Association vice-president from 1999 through 2000. He was survived by his wife Karen, two children, four grandchildren and one brother. A Celebration of Life service was held January 28, 2006, at First Lutheran Church in Pine River.

Leo E. Shelgren, 87, of Smith Estates, died of leukemia Sept. 13, 2005 in Pinellas Park, FL.

David W. Berglund, Rocky Glen, passed away August 15, 2005 in Bloomington, MN.

Joseph E. Foster (1927-2005) of South Shore Acres, passed away August 8, 2005, at his home in Shelbyville, Illinois. He was a member of the Ada Lake Association Board of Directors from 1996 until 2004, and served as Association president from 2000 until 2003. He was survived by wife Elaine, four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Carol ("Bobbie") Weglarz, of Old Point Comfort, died February 27, 2005.

Kurt James Anderson, 51, died February 24, 2005 in Oakland, CA. of complications of diabetes. Kurt was the son of Jean Soper Cater. 

Kenneth Hoffman, (1913-2005) passed away January 8th at Friendship Village Retirement Center in Waterloo, IA. The Hoffmans were former Lake Ada residents, being partners at Old Point Comfort.

Robert Tima (1933-2004) of South Shore Lane, passed away November 7th at Southview Acres Nursing Home in South St. Paul following a stroke.

Virginia Ubben (1919-2004) of Sunrise Point, 85, died June 23, 2004 in Cedar Falls, Ia. Virginia’s family purchased their Lake Ada property in 1916.

Dr. Steven J. Miller, 46, of Smith Estates, passed away from complications of lung cancer on August, 30, 2004. He was survived by his wife, Nancy (Olson), and six children.

Robert X. Casserly, 81, North Bay, died May 12, 2004, at his home in St. Louis Park, MN.

Edna Zika (1915-2004), Ada south Shore Lane, died May 20th. She was 88. As a young child in ND, she actually met Chief Sitting Bull.

Sharon L. Andrews (1935-2004) of Smith Drive, died January 5, 2004, at her Lake Ada home. She was 68.