Bruce K. Erickson, A celebration of Bruce K. Erickson’s life will be held today. The 45-year-old Proctor resident died Sat., June 25, 2005 at St. Mary’s Medical Center.

He was born Nov. 2, 1959 in Duluth to Ben and Iola (Tangen) Erickson. Bruce graduated from Central High School in 1978. He then joined the U.S. Army serving in Alaska. Bruce married Alane Motzer June 4, 1980 in Duluth. He worked as a program coordinator for the Duluth Regional Care Center. Bruce enjoyed fishing, gardening and just being outdoors. He will be remembered as one who liked to help others, especially the clients he worked with.

He is preceded in death by his father Ben.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 25 years Alane, sons Travis, Lucas and Ryan, all of Proctor, mother Iola of Duluth, brothers Daniel (Aman) of Calif., Brian (Kyle) of Duluth, Curtis (Joan) of Hermantown and Mitchell (Bobbi) of Illinois, sisters Jackie (Bryan) Knapp of Saginaw, Kathy (Mark) Stack of Superior and Janet (Dan) Mallon of Duluth, several nieces and nephews, and special extended family Haley, Allison, Tiana, Jake and Jessie.

The observance will be held at 2 p.m. today, Thurs., June 30, 2005 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 4100 Grand Ave. The family wishes that you come as you are, where they will greet friends one hour prior to the celebration. Following the service, military rites will be accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Harold ‘Skip’ Guptill, Jr., Harold ‘Skip’ Guptill, Jr., 76, formerly of Proctor, Minn., passed away at Lakeridge Health Care Center in Roseville, Minn., on Sat., June 25, 2005.

He was born Sept. 2, 1928 in Paynesville, Minn. Skip served in the Merchant Marines as a seaman in 1947 on the Great Lakes. He joined the US Army with his brother, Robert in 1948. He served a year in Korea in 1959 and lived in the US and Germany over his 20 year career as a medical specialist. He retired in 1968 from the Army and went to work at Nopeming Nursing Home for 20 years, caring for the residents. Skip loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, and boating and his dogs, especially ‘Honey’, his constant companion. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather with a kind heart and cute sense of humor. He will be dearly missed.

Skip is preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Gloria (Hanson) Guptill; mother, Francis Pearle (Owen) Guptill; and father, Harold J. Guptill, Sr.; and brother, Robert Guptill.

He is survived by son, Richard (Katie) Guptill; daughter, Cindy (Tom) Lodermeier; grandchildren, Justin Guptill, Heather Illakainen, Amy and Ryan Lodermeier; and two great-grandchildren; brothers, John Guptill, Dave (Erika) Guptill; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services were yesterday. Wed., June 29 in Augustana Lutheran Church on Midway Rd. Interment at Augustana Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military honors were accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard.