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

Dorothy J. Zbosnik



Dorothy J. Zbosnik, 87, of Ely Lake died Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Essentia Health-Virginia.  She was born on October 30, 1925 in Gilbert, Minnesota to John and Frances (Krall) Knaus.  Dorothy was a graduate of Gilbert High School.  On May 13, 1950 she was united in marriage to Joseph P. Zbosnik Sr.  She worked for Cluett-Peabody Shirt Factory and […]

Danny Chris Dschaak



Danny Chris Dschaak, 56, Virginia, died Monday, April 1, 2013 following a lengthy illness.  A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, April 5, 2013 at 4:00 PM at Range Funeral Home, Virginia with a visitation one hour prior.  Rev. Jeffrey Jones will officiate. Memorials are preferred and should be made to the Donor’s charity of choice in Danny’s name. […]

Karla L. Abramson



Karla L. Abramson, 52, Angora died unexpectedly at home of natural causes Thursday, March 28, 2013. She was born March 6, 1961, in Virginia, the daughter of Forrest and Carol (Kyllonen) Abramson. She grew up in Orr, graduating from Orr High School as valedictorian of her class in 1979. Karla furthered her education graduating with honors from Michigan Tech, where […]

Raymond “Ray” Norman Koski



Raymond “Ray” Norman Koski, 83, of Hibbing, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at his residence.  Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Range Funeral Home in Hibbing.  Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Hibbing.  To sign the online guest book or send condolences visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.  Ray was born December 24, 1929 to Arthur […]

Curling on the range THE SERRANO JR. BONSPIEL:




Apparently we don’t have enough ice and winter outdoors in northern Minnesota. So to make up for this perceived shortage, we build arenas and curling clubs and proceed to make ice indoors too! This may seem somewhat odd to folks from different climates, but it makes perfect sense to ice skaters, hockey fans and curling enthusiasts from the northern reaches […]

The Tom Serrano MEMORIAL BONSPIEL STORY

“He gave his life so others may live… ‘Greater love than this, hath no man.’”


– Inscription on Tom Serrano Memorial Bonspiel trophy. The first “Boys Bonspiel” in Chisholm was held in 1963 and a member of that first championship rink was a young curler by the name of Tom Serrano. Other members of that rink were Jerry Bretto, the skip, and Rick Elness and Bob Mattsen. They returned to successfully defend their title in […]

What, exactly, is the Virginia Community Foundation?




VIRGINIA – The Virginia Community Foundation recently co-hosted a Chamber Breakfast Connection event, and it was great to meet new people and connect faces with names. One thing that stood out to me while talking to people is that, understandably, there are a lot of questions and misconceptions about community foundations. Your local community foundation, The Virginia Community Foundation, has […]

Veterans’ preference; what it is and how it helps veterans



Veterans who are disabled, who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in hiring for virtually all federal government jobs. What is veterans’ preference? In recognition of the sacrifices made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Congress enacted laws to prevent veterans seeking […]

Saturday Night Country – Live! show seeking new enthusiasts




MT. IRON – Saturday Night Country – Live! has been raising money in support of music programs at local schools for 12 years, with over $85,000 having been raised during that time. The country show, held the second Saturday evening of every month, is currently in jeopardy and may be discontinued after the April 13 show in Mt. Iron if […]

A is for asparagus and arborio rice




I love asparagus. We grow many vegetables in our garden, but not asparagus. I’ve not gotten a satisfactory answer from my master gardener to my question of “Why no asparagus?” There’s a reason; there always is. Usually the answer is one of the following: “I don’t eat [xyz],” or “[xyz] is cheap,” or “I tried [xyz] 20 years ago and […]