David Lee Towns, David Lee Towns, a 1967 graduate of Proctor High School, died Friday, April 3, 2009 in St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth after a monumental three-year battle with cancer, exceeding the limits of medical expectations. He was 59.

The Esko resident was born in 1949 in Duluth, the son of Norman and Sylvia Towns. David married Kimberly Ettinger on Sept. 30, 1984 in Duluth.

David began working at the age of eight during the summers on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Kettle River. At 16, he worked full time at Adolph’s service station.

He worked as a mechanic and brake specialist at Shopper City in Duluth, then worked as an aneeler at Diamond Tool in Duluth for approximately 15 years. From 1987 until his retirement in June of 2008, David worked in the finishing/shipping department at Potlatch/Sappi in Cloquet.

He transitioned his mechanic skills into being a self-taught computer builder and repairman.

Towns was a member of Local Union 63 and St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Esko. As a young man, Dave enjoyed racing cars at the Proctor Speedway as well as racing motorcycles, winning numerous trophies. He will fondly be remembered as the “go-to fix-it man.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Sylvia.

David is survived by his wife, Kimberly of Esko; four daughters, Tammy Towns of Barnum, Jacqueline (Jerry) McClure of St. Francis, Jessica Towns (Ron Citronwicz) of Savannah, Georgia, and Melissa Towns (Tom Halvorson) of Duluth; three grandchildren, Cameron and Cara Angell, Nicholas McClure and a new granddaughter due to Melissa on David’s birthday in July; one great-granddaughter, Lilliana Angell; a brother, Dennis (Gloria) Towns of Duluth; an aunt, Verona Myron of Duluth; a niece, Kelly Towns of Cloquet; and a nephew, Kevin (Colleen) Towns of Brooklyn Park.

A memorial service in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church was held Monday, April 6.

O. George Renaud, O. George Renaud, who grew up on the Stark Road family farm in Proctor and was a 1941 graduate of Proctor High School, died Monday, March 30, 2009 in St. Luke’s Hospital. He was 88.

The LaVaque Road resident was born in Proctor on April 15, 1920 to Israel and Marguerite (Auger) Renaud, the seventh of 16 children.

George was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II for two years, until his medical discharge after contracting tuberculosis. He was then a resident of Nopeming Sanitarium for three years during his recovery. George was employed by St. Louis County as activity coordinator at the former Cook Home. He worked there for 30 years until retirement in 1984. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and was a caregiver, often giving of himself to others through volunteer work.

George was a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Ann; second wife, Ruth; and his wife of 23 years, Iris, whom he cared for during her nine-year illness and disability; and 13 siblings.

Survivors include his son, Andrew “Skip” (Debbie) Renaud of Roscoe, Ill.; step-son, Earl (Barb) Beaudin of Duluth; step-daughter, Sue (Lance) Fleischauer of Lakeland, Minn.; sister, Rose Anderson of Proctor; brother, Alphonse (Pina) Renaud of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Jason Renaud, Trina (Traves) Nielcen and their daughter, Trinidy, Bobby Beaudin and Steven Beaudin; and close friends, Jack and Dawn Pierce of Hermantown.

A service was held Sat., Apr. 4 in St. Benedict Catholic Church, Reverend Father Eric Hastings officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery.

James L. Carlson, James L. Carlson, 61, formerly of Pike Lake, died March 31, 2009 at St. Mary’s Medical Center after a courageous battle with leukemia.

The Hermantown resident was born in Duluth on April 10, 1947 to Hjalmar “Jolly” and Clara Carlson.

Jim was a 1965 graduate of Hermantown High School and attended UMD. He served with the 148th of the Minnesota Air National Guard. He married Darlene Graves on Aug. 4, 1990. Jim started his career at Arrowhead Concrete Works at the age of eight and with the creation of Lakehead Concrete Works and acquisition of Brenny Dahl Block Co in the 1970’s, helped run these family-owned operations until his retirement from daily participation in 2006. He was also owner of J. L. Carlson and Associates, which he founded in 1979.

He was a member of Trinity Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite Bodies-Valley of Duluth, the Aad Shrine, of which he was to be Potentate in 2010, Superior Elks Lodge, life member of Arrowhead Builders Assn., Building Assn. of Minn., NAHB, Kitchi Gammi Club, was past director of Duluth Building Exchange and past president of the ARM Board. He was also a member of Hilltop Lions Club, Minn. Arboretum and many other civic and fraternal associations. Jim also served on the Hermantown Planning Commission.

He was preceded in death by his father, Hjalmar; and good friend, Lambert Klosowsky.

Jim is survived by his wife, Darlene; children, Nicole (Brian) Boder, Cloquet, Jed Graves, Proctor, Andrew Graves, Duluth, Marissa (Joe) Kleiman, Duluth, special daughter Caitlin; grandchildren, Carly and Jay Boder and Makenna and Paisley Kleiman and an expected grandchild; his mother, Clara Carlson, Hermantown; sister, Mary Carlson, Hermantown; brother, Gerald (Carol) and their children, Duluth; mother-in-law, Evelyn Mortinsen, Proctor, and an extended family of many friends.

A funeral service was held Sun., Apr. 5 in the Aad Shrine. Burial at Sunrise Cemetery.