DL News Staff
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July 28, 1950-Dec. 9, 2007 Former Ogema resident Gerald L. "Jerr Bear" Kozitka, 57, of Indego, Calif., died Sunday, December 9, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nev. Gerald Lee Kozitka was born to Clarence and Joyce (Liezert) Kozitka on July 28, 1950 in Detroit Lakes. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ogema. Gerald attended Waubun Public Schools, and later worked in building construction in the Ogema-Waubun area. He attended Farrier College in Sturgis, S.D., and became a professional farrier, traveling throughout the entire United States shoeing horses.
Aug. 25, 1952-Dec. 2, 2007 Raemonda Eugenia "Mona" Olson, 55, died unexpectedly on Sunday, December 2, 2007 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna, Alaska. Mona was born to Raymond Schultz and Delores Gilley on Aug. 25, 1952 in Des Moines, Iowa. During her childhood, her family moved to Oregon, where she grew up, attending and graduating from high school. She married Greg Olson on Oct. 12, 1991. They moved to Hewitt, Minn., in September 1992. She received her certified nursing degree from Wadena Technical College in Wadena.
Aug. 14, 1944-Dec. 6, 2007 Monika A. Tibbetts, 63, of Bemidji, died Thursday, December 6, 2007 at the North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji. Monika Anna Kraus was born to Anton and Anna Kraus on Aug. 14, 1944 in Rockendorf, Germany. She was one of nine children, and graduated from Westler High School. She worked for a dry cleaning service until she met and married Lyle Earl Tibbetts of Zerkel, Minn., on Dec. 22, 1964 in Bonbaden, Germany. Monika lived her life to the fullest, enjoying her family and friends.
Dec. 6, 2007-Dec. 6, 2007 George Robert Taylor III, infant son of George Taylor Jr. and Candace Roberts of Ponsford, was stillborn on December 6, 2007 at St. Mary's Regional Health Center in Detroit Lakes. He is survived by his parents, George Taylor Jr. and Candace Roberts; grandparents, Sharon Rock, George Taylor and Gerald (Lorraine) Roberts; and great grandparents, Kenneth Arthur and Georgianna Adams.
Feb. 11, 1924-Dec. 10, 2007 John W. Niemi, 83, of rural Callaway, died at his home on Monday, December 10, 2007, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. John William Niemi was born to Jacob and Esther (Barlund) Niemi on Feb. 11, 1924 in Shell Lake Township, rural Osage. He attended the District 82 (Linman School) country school; then Detroit Lakes High School. John moved to Fargo and studied at the Hansen Auto-Diesel/Welding and Auto Body Repair trade school. He graduated from the Federal Aircraft School in Fargo and became employed by Hayes Manufacturing Corp.
Dec. 29, 1946-Dec. 10, 2007 Caroline F. Blake, 60, of Detroit Lakes, died Monday, December 10, 2007 in her home. Caroline Frances Blake was born to Harvey and Jean (Crane) Blake on Dec. 29, 1946 in San Diego, Calif. She moved with her family throughout California, and attended school there. Caroline moved to the Greenbush, Minn., area and married Laurel Majer. They were married for 12 years, and farmed near Greenbush. They divorced in 1980, and Caroline moved to Warroad, Minn., then to Holt, Minn.
Feb. 28, 1929-Dec. 10, 2007 James W. Johnson, 78, of Detroit Lakes, died Monday, December 10, 2007 of acute myelogenous leukemia, at Innovis Hospital, Fargo. James Wendell Johnson was born to parents William and Hilda (Gudvangen) Johnson on Feb. 28, 1929 in Fosston, Minn. He was raised on a farm northeast of Fosston. He attended Lade School District 187 through grades 1-8, and graduated from Fosston High School in 1947. Jim entered the United States Army in August 1951. He served with the 24th Infantry Division, 13th Field Artillery Battalion. He received his discharge in August 1953.
June 28, 1923-Dec. 9, 2007 Doris A. Olson, 84, of Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, December 9, 2007 at Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes. Doris was born to Victor E. and Amy A. (Johnson) Leasure on June 28, 1923 in Underwood, N.D. She was raised and educated in Audubon and Detroit Lakes, graduating from Detroit Lakes High School in 1941. Doris married Elmer Olson on Dec. 30, 1949 in Sisseton, S.D. As a young adult, she cooked in numerous cafés in Detroit Lakes before cooking for the Detroit Lakes school system.
April 1, 1918-Dec. 9, 2007 Frances M. Olson, 89, of Detroit Lakes, died Sunday, December 9, 2007 at St. Mary's Nursing Center, Detroit Lakes. Frances M. Leitheiser was born to Joseph and Cora (Gobel) Leitheiser on April 1, 1918 in rural Detroit Lakes. She grew up and attended country school in Erie Township. She worked for a family in Detroit Lakes as a housekeeper until her marriage to Albert H. Olson on Oct. 31, 1938, in Detroit Lakes. They lived and farmed in the Audubon, Minnesota area for many years. They moved into Detroit Lakes in 1988. Albert passed away Feb. 25, 1994.
April 28, 1932-Dec. 2, 2007 Clarence Beaulieu, 75, of Rice Lake, Minn., died on Sunday, December 2, 2007 at the Mahnomen Health Center in Mahnomen. Clarence M., the son of Robert and Jenny Mae (Smith) Beaulieu, was born April 28, 1932, on the White Earth Indian Reservation. As a young child he lived in Naytahwaush, until moving to Flandreau, S.D., to attend school. After graduating from Pipestone school he returned to Rice Lake. Clarence served his country in the Untied States Army. On April 1, 1954, he was united in marriage to Rosella Stevens in Bagley, Minn.