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

Colleen Mae Cholich

Colleen Mae Cholich, 89, of Hibbing, passed away on June 3, 2018 at St. Mary’s Medical Center-Duluth. Colleen was born to Lois (Schuster) and Roscoe Harwood on April 3, 1929 in Nowata, OK. She moved to Hibbing when she was 9 years old.  Colleen graduated from Hibbing High School and Hibbing Community College. She married Matthew Cholich on August 6. […]

Gladyce Mae Lampe

Gladyce Mae Lampe, 96, of Biwabik, died Thursday, June 7, 2018 at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. She was born on January 26, 1922 to Erick and Lisa (Sikkila) Maki in Biwabik.   She grew up and attended school in Biwabik, graduating from Biwabik High School, Class of 1939.  On July 19, 1941 Gladyce was united in marriage to […]

Jon J. Wiinanen

Jon J. Wiinanen, 68, of Iron, passed away Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at the family farm in Iron. Jon was born December 8, 1949 to Elmer and Ruth Wiinanen in Virginia, MN. He graduated in 1967 from Cherry High School and was a lifelong farmer, helping run the family’s dairy cow and beef cattle operations. Jon is survived by his […]

Brian Allen Jamesgaard

Brian Allen Jamesgaard, 45, of Virginia, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018 at his residence. Brian was born November 30, 1972 in Minneapolis to Bradley and Barbra (Nubbe) Jamesgaard. Brian loved poker and the Vikings. He was working on making it to every stadium in the U.S. to see them play. He loved traveling and spending his time with family […]

They’re walking the road together

“The Hat,” memories, and a daughter’s journey with her dad


“Memories light the corners of mind. Misty water-colored memories of the way we were.” – Barbra Streisand It was the 2017 holiday season. I was in full swing of all the festivities and gatherings the season brings. We had just hosted our traditional Thanksgiving dinner catering to 30-some guests. It was great fun! Now, I was planning the usual, smaller […]

Contributors share photos, memories, thoughts for Father’s Day

My dad, Roger Sanders, was a great man. He was a hard worker and one of the kindest, most generous people you would ever meet. Many people in the area knew him as the car wash guy from the Virginia Auto Wash. He loved to sit and tell stories of his life and the many hilarious and stupid things he’d […]

Time with dad: It’s when those special memories are made



Fathers can play very important roles in the lives of their children. Fathers often can be a kid’s best friend as they grow up and learn how to take on the world. From encouraging us to try out for a new sport to helping us discern whether we should make the large investment or not, they’ll always hold a special […]

Adopt-a-cat Month celebrated in June

American Humane, the country’s first national humane organization, celebrates Adopt-A-Cat Month® each June – a month that also marks the height of “kitten season,” when millions of kittens are born and often end up in animal shelters. The feline population increase fills animal shelters across the country each June with cats and kittens who need a home. In honor of […]

Steps to identify flea bites on dogs

Dogs that are itching themselves are often assumed to have fleas, but dog owners who want to be certain that the cause of their pooches’ pain is fleas can learn to identify flea bites. According to the American Kennel Club, fleas leave tiny, red, raised dots on dogs’ skins. Flea bites tend to be smaller than bites from other insects, […]

New York comes to the Iron Range this weekend

Mesabi Symphony Orchestra to present North of Broadway


VIRGINIA/ELY – An egotistical king. A homicidal barber. A nun unsure of her calling. An errant (and erroneous?) knight. Jesus Christ himself. No, this is not Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row.” These are some of the characters in Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals. Nowhere but New York City’s Great White Way could you meet such an assortment more or less in the […]