Publish an obituary in Hometown Focus

WHAT IS PUBLISHED FOR FREE:

  • HTF will publish a full obituary and a photo (if desired) on our website free of charge.
  • HTF will publish an abbreviated obituary (no photos) in the print edition of the newspaper free of charge.

HOW TO PAY FOR A FULL OBITURARY:

  • A full obituary and a photo (if desired) published in the print edition of the newspaper is charged by the column inch.
  • Once HTF receives the obituary, photo and your request for a full obituary, we will provide you with the cost prior to publication.
  • Payment is due prior to publication and can be handled by phone if paying with a credit card.

The deadline for submission of the print edition obituaries (both full and abbreviated) is first thing Thursday morning, although sooner is always better.

Please email: editor@htfnews.us

Donald Ray (Jose’) Milks



Donald Ray (Jose’) Milks, 67, of Virginia, MN, died Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth.  He was born June 6, 1949, in Traverse City, MI, the son of Russell and Nellie Rowe; and lived in Michigan and California prior to moving to Virginia.  Don was a United States Air Force Veteran, serving in Guam. […]

Roger L. Woods



Roger L. Woods, 79, of Britt and Virginia, MN, passed away at the Cook Care Center on Saturday, March 11, 2017. He was born on August 11, 1937, in Virginia, to Manley and Jessie (Westby) Woods. He graduated from Virginia High School and lived in Virginia and Britt most of his life. He worked for the railroad before starting his career […]

Lawton David Mueller, Jr. Ratzlaff



Lawton David Mueller, Jr. Ratzlaff, 59, of Virginia, MN died Monday, March 13, 2017 at Essentia Health-Virginia. He was born on May 14, 1957 to Lawton David, Sr. and Patricia (Goreth) Mueller in Biloxi, MS.  Following the death of his father at a very young age, Lawton and his mother moved to Hoyt Lakes to live with his grandparents. Lawton’s […]

Doris Ann Kochaver



Doris Ann Kochaver, 85, of Mt. Iron/ South Grove, MN, died Monday, March 13, 2017 in St. Michael’s Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born May 29, 1931 in Deer Creek, MN the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Arbuckle) Bemus and was a 1949 graduate of Deer Creek High School. Doris was a longtime resident of Mt. Iron /South Grove […]

Gary Lee Nylund



Gary Lee Nylund, 70, of Whitehall, MT (and Cook, MN), completed his earthly chores on Friday, March 10, 2017 at Ft. Harrison, MT, and is resting in his loving Savior’s arms. Gary was born on November 4, 1946 to Theodore “Ted” and Eva (Sokoloski) Nylund in Cook, MN.  He attended Cook High School and graduated in 1964.  After graduation, he […]

Hazel Margaret (Kippola) Lakanen



Hazel Margaret (Kippola) Lakanen, 96, of Pike Township, MN, died peacefully Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Northern Pines Nursing Home in Aurora.  Hazel was born on February 15, 1921 in Virginia, MN to Andrew and Lydia (Johnson) Kippola.  She grew up in Virginia and Pike and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Virginia.  She married Taito T. Lakanen on […]

Elizabeth “Beth” Jean (Briski) Pierce



Elizabeth “Beth” Jean (Briski) Pierce, 37, of Iron, MN, died Monday, March 13, 2017 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.  Beth was born on March 22, 1979.Survivors include Daughters: Kaitlin and Madison Pierce; Father: Dennis (Colleen) Briski of Iron; Mother: Cindy Luukkonen of Gilbert, MN; Siblings: Rebecca Bennett of Gilbert, MN, Jamie Bennett of Duluth, MN, Travis (Nikki) Malnar […]

Annual Mark Tuominen Memorial Dart Tournament to benefit a Biwabik favorite

Mikey Mac fighting back after hemorrhagic stroke


CHISHOLM – At 6-foot-7, Mark Tuominen would have towered over Mike McDermid had he ever met him. McDermid is battling just to stand again to his 5-8 height. Despite their size difference, the two are ever connected by a strange set of coincidences. And later this month, the former’s too-early passing will help benefit the latter. Mark died unexpectedly on […]

A love of flowers paves the way to a life-long journey of floral arrangement




COOK – If flowers could speak, their voice would be that of Sara Niska. She has been in love with flowers for as long as she can remember and recalls that her first floral job was in the fifth-grade when she was the florist for a mock wedding between a couple of her classmates at the Cook School. She gathered […]

Nominations for 25th annual Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards announced



DULUTH – The UMD Center for Economic Development (CED) announces an all-time record 75 businesses have been nominated to receive honors during the 25th Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards program, which recognizes entrepreneurs and business owners from throughout the Twin Ports and northeastern Minnesota. Award categories include Micro Entrepreneur, Emerging Entrepreneur, Established Entrepreneur, Mature Entrepreneur and Environmentally Engaged Entrepreneur. […]