John George “Jack” Bryant, John George “Jack” Bryant, of Proctor, died Sat., Oct. 1, 2005, at home surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 77.

He was born on April 6, 1928 in Duluth to Clinton W. and Eileen A. (Warnock) Bryant and had lived in Proctor for the past 52 years. John was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, having served in the 24th Infantry Division. As a youth, he worked summers with the Civilian Conservation Corps in northern Minnesota. He was a 1947 graduate of Denfeld High School. In 1990, he retired from Northern Drug Company after 43 years of service. John married Joanne Schuman of Duluth on Jan. 27, 1951 in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Proctor and Teamsters Union Local No. 346. He was a past member of the Proctor Moose Lodge and Jack Meade Gun Club. John enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, canoe trips, cross country skiing and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Ernest and James Bryant.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Joanne; son, Gregory (Lynn) of Saginaw; daughter, Laurie (Robert) Paulson of Pike Lake; grandchildren, Chad (Jennifer) Bryant, Stacy Trollinger, Katie Bryant, Ryan (Becky) Shannon and Tanya Paulson; great-grandchildren, James and Jenna Trollinger and Hunter Bryant; sister-in-law, Sue Sullivan; and many nieces and nephews. John will be remembered for the twinkle in his eyes and the smile on his face. He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.

Visitation will continue today, Thursday, from 10 until the 11 a.m. service in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Proctor, Rev. Jeffrey Holter officiating. Burial will be in Oneota Cemetery, with military honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard.

If so desired, memorial contributions may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Memorial Brick Fund or St. Luke’s Hospice.

Rudy B. Peterson, Rudy B. Peterson, who graduated from Proctor High School, died Wednesday, September 28, 2005 in the Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center. He was 86.

Rudy was born in Duluth on August 27, 1919 to Gustav and Selma (Fahrm) Peterson. Rudy served in the Army during WWII, and for 27 years was a wire drawer at American Steel. He loved to garden, hunt and fish. Rudy was a man of generosity and the world’s best host. He was a member of the West Duluth Moose, the VFW and American Legion.

Rudy is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Floyd Peterson a sister, Margaret Peterson and two grandchildren, Timmy Paulick and Gordy Peterson, Jr.

Surviving is his wife of 64 years, Lois; children, Gordon of Jonesboro, AK, Donna (Kent) Wilson of Anthony KS, Sue (Tom) Hansen of Esko, and Darlene (Fiancé Bill Dower) Wiesner of Thomson, Township; a brother, Earl (Arlene) of Duluth; 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Rudy always ended his day saying to his family, Elska Day, (I love you).

Services were last Friday in Augustana Lutheran Church. Burial in Sunrise Memorial Park. Military honors were accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard.

Irene Victoria (Hagstrom) Matuszak, Irene Victoria (Hagstrom) Matuszak, who along with her husband owned and operated the Grand Lake Store, died on Mon., Oct. 3, 2005 in Sunnyside Health Care Center, Cloquet. She was 89.

She was born on Aug. 7, 1916 in Duluth Minn., to Axel and Sofia (Aysta) Hagstrom. Irene graduated from Central High School in 1935. She married Leonard Matuszak on Dec. 31, 1937. They lived in Duluth, where she worked at Arrowhead Creamery until moving to Saginaw in 1954. Irene belonged to St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Saginaw. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, bowling, reading, doing hand work and her daily soap operas. Irene loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and any dog that she ever met.

She is preceded in death by her son Russell, her parents, brothers Patrick, Victor and William Hagstrom, sister Helen Sundeen, and her husband Roy.

Irene is survived by her husband of 68 years Leonard, sons James (Jorgine) of Culver, William (Beverly) of Saginaw, Timothy of Tampa Bay, Fla., daughter-in-law Gretchen Matuszak of Kerrick, 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 10 a.m. today, Thurs., until the 11 a.m. Funeral Service in Handevidt Funeral Home, 900 Washington Avenue, Cloquet. A time for fellowship and lunch will follow the service in the funeral home lunch reception area. Interment will be on Fri., Oct. 7, 2005 at 11 a.m. at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery.

Harold Edward Spence, Harold Edward Spence, of Rice Lake Road, died Mon., Oct. 3, 2005 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Hospice Unit. He was 89.

He was born March 18, 1916 in Thurber, Texas to Marcina E. and Dessie Mae (Bryant) Spence, and graduated from high school in Alba, Texas. Harold served 23 years in the Air Force, retiring as a WO1 on July 1, 1961. Following his retirement from the Air Force, Harold worked as a civilian for the Army Air Force Exchange, and at the Munger and Pike Lake Schools. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved to travel back to Texas for his high school reunions and the yearly Bryant family reunions. Harold was the best caregiver, taking care of his wife Olene when she needed it. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Harold was a 50-year member of both the Kelly Masonic Lodge 1131 in San Antonio and the Trinity Eastern Star, where he served as past patron.

He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings, and by his wife of 50 years Olene, in 1988.

Survivors include his daughter Joyce (Don) Roseen of Proctor, son Harold (Deborah) Spence of Cotton, seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and his dog and “best buddy” Cody.

Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 5 and from noon until the 1 p.m. service today, Thurs., in Bell Brothers Funeral Home. Burial will be at Sunrise Memorial Park Cemetery, Herman-town, with Military honors accorded by the 319th ARW Grand Forks AFB Base Honor Guard.