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

Mayme “Mae” H. Marsyla



Mayme H. Marsyla, 98, lifelong resident of the Linden Grove-Cook area, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Cook Nursing Home. She was born Mayme Helen Wiitanen on April 5, 1916, at Linden Grove, the daughter of Henry and Katie (Rahko) Wiitanen. She grew up and was schooled in the one- room schoolhouse in Linden Grove. On June […]

Stanley L. Gregory



Stanley L. Gregory, 87, of Virginia, died Tuesday May 20, 2014 at St. Michaels Health and Rehab Center in Virginia. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2014 at 1:00PM at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Arrangements are with Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com Stanley Livingston […]

Aloys Ralph Chiabotti



Aloys Ralph Chiabotti, age 88 of Eagles Nest died Sunday, May 18, 2014 in the Essentia Health-Virginia Care Center. He was born November 25, 1925 in Tower the son of Louis and Louise (Yapel) Chiabotti and attended Tower-Soudan Schools. Ralph joined the United States Navy and served during WWII in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. He married Lorraine “Sue” Suska […]

A tribute to our veterans




Veterans and elected officials all have one thing in common: Upon entering service, both took an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” and to “bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” On 1 June 1789, the first law enacted by Congress was Statute 1, Chapter 1: an act […]

Judy Garland’s birthplace to celebrate 75 year OZ anniversary




Somewhere over the rainbow on the west end of the Iron Range, all of the magic of the Emerald City will be found if you follow the yellow brick road to the birthplace of Judy Garland, who played Dorothy Gale in the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz. As we learned from Dorothy in this iconic movie about wisdom, […]

2014 Festival schedule

The Judy Garland and Children’s Discovery Museums

75th Anniversary Wizard of Oz Festival Grand Rapids, MN Tuesday, June 10:• 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Grand Rapids Day at the museums.See new Oz display. Grand Rapids residents get in free!• 7 p.m. – “Judy & Oz” Karaoke at Sawmill Inn Wednesday, June 11:• 9 a.m. – The Ruby Slipper video documentary will beshown at Sawmill Inn• 2 – […]

Christina Hujanen announces bid for SL County Commissioner



TOWER – Christina Hujanen will make a second bid for St. Louis County Commissioner. Hujanen, a mother and longtime community activist from rural Tower, made a strong showing four years ago in her effort to unseat incumbent commissioner Mike Forsman. Hujanen said she remains concerned that many county residents feel their voices aren’t being heard at the county board level. […]

Former state rep Tom Rukavina to run for SLC Commissioner



PIKE TOWNSHIP – After a two-year break in elected public service, former State Representative Tom Rukavina, from Pike Township, has announced that he is running for St. Louis County Commissioner in the Fourth District. Rukavina served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for over two decades, as well as serving on the Town Board of Pike Township and as a […]

Kirsten Reichel files for SLC commissioner



COOK – Kirsten Reichel announced her candidacy for the position of 4th District St. Louis County Commissioner last February. Since that time, she has been traveling to cities and townships throughout the district to introduce herself and listen to the varied concerns that citizens of these communities feel are important and would like a county representative to address. She has […]

A family still grieves

Honoring Vietnam veteran Dick Burgess of Tower, MN


“On behalf of a grateful nation…” These words are spoken to a family member, normally the mom or wife, by senior military officials as they present the perfectly folded triangle of the American flag that draped the casket of their loved one who died in the line of duty in defense of the Nation. So it was on the last […]