Alexander “Alex” Leo Hoffman, A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Fri., Aug. 19 for Alexander “Alex” Leo Hoffman, 88, of Duluth. He died Mon., Aug. 15, 2005, in the St. Eligius Health Care Center.

Alex was born in Pierz, Minn. on June 10, 1917 to John and Regina (Schubert) Hoffman. Alex served in the Army during WWII. He was a member of the American Legion Post #71, United Paper Workers of America local 776, VFW, and the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate.

On September 13, 1938, he married Mildred “Millie” Virnig. Alex was active in farming in Pierz from 1938 to 1944. He entered the Army in 1945. He was a rifleman in the infantry Division. He served in the Pacific and was part of the Invasion of Okinawa. Alex received the Asiatic Pacific Theater Service Medal. He also served in the 13th engineering division. Alex received his discharge on January 25, 1946. After the war he returned to Brainerd Minn. until 1951 when he and Millie moved to Proctor where they lived until moving to Heritage Apts in 1988.

Alex had a variety of employments, working as a bakery driver, cab driver, service station attendant and also owned and operated a scrap yard. When he moved to Proctor, he worked as a boiler maker helper for the DM&IR from 1951 to 1959. He then worked for 17 years at Chun King followed by 9 years at Superwood until he retired on July 1, 1982.

Alex is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Florence Weiss, Johanna Roberts, Josephine Janorschki, Alma Hoffman and Alvina Poser; brothers, Joseph, Michael, Peter and Ted

He is survived by his wife of 66+ years, Millie; sons, William “Dale” (Shirlene) of Irving, Tex., Rev. Fr. Dennis H. Hoffman of Crosslake, Minn., Roger A. Hoffman of Brookston; Ken A Hoffman of Proctor, Daniel “Dan” P. (Kathleen) of Rush City, and Alex D. Hoffman of Proctor; daughters, Sharon Hoffman of Minneapolis, Judy Hoffman of Barnum; Diane Hoffman of Proctor, and Sheila M. (Greg) Hughes of Wyoming, a sister, Pauline Sonnenberg of Brainerd; 20 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren, including his most recent great-grandson, Reese Alexander; and his special friend, Everill Mercil of Naples, Fla.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7:00 p.m. with Wake Prayers at 6:00 p.m. Thursday in Bell Brothers Funeral Home and continue from 10 until the 11:00 a.m. Mass in St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.

Memorials to the Church elevator fund would be appreciated. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Park.

Steven James Nygard, Steven James Nygard, who graduated from Proctor High School in 1968, passed away unexpectedly Wed., Aug. 10, 2005 at his home in Meadowlands. He was 54.

He was born in Duluth Aug. 14, 1950 to Ernest and Helen Nygard. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-1972 aboard the USS Joseph Strauss. Steve worked as a grocer for many years at various grocery stores around Duluth. He also co-owned Styles Catering and Barbecue until 2001.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest C. Nygard.

Steve will be missed by his wife of 25 years Debbie of Meadowlands, daughters Kimberly Nygard of Duluth, Stacy (Darren) White of Italy, Lorri Nygard and Stephanie Nygard, both of Duluth, granddaughters Brittany Nicole, Ashleigh Rebecca, Kayley Marie, Alexis Faith and Kendyl Marie, mother Helen Nygard, sister Nancy (Rich) Vanneste of Hayward, Wis., brothers Tom (Cynthia) Nygard of Appleton, Wis. and John (Annette) Nygard of Duluth, and special pal “Lady.”

A memorial service was held Monday.

Lorraine Stoddard, Lorraine Stoddard of Saginaw passed away Wed., Aug. 10, 2005 at her home. She was 80.

She was born April 30, 1925 in Duluth to Herbert and Agnes Miller. Lorraine resided in Cloquet and prior to that she lived in Culver, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Merton Stoddard, daughter Susan VanDerWerff, five sisters, and six brothers.

Lorraine is survived by her sons Daniel Stoddard and Melvin (Bev) Stoddard, daughter Rebecca (Frank) Johnson, 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, sister Vicki Schwarte and brother Kenneth Miller.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Cloquet.

William V. Kramer, Sr, Michael (Lorraine) Kramer of Proctor is mourning the death of his father William V. Kramer, Sr. He passed away on Thurs., Aug. 4, 2005 in North Ft. Myers, Florida.

He is also survived by his wife Lois (nee Helquist), sons William Jr. of Spring Lake Park and Richard (Diane) of Coon Rapids, grandchildren Kimberly (Jason) Nix, Darren (Angela) Kramer, Katie and Anna Kramer, and great-granddaughter Abby Kramer.

A private family gathering will be held in Minnesota.