Vernice Swanstrom, Services were held earlier this week for Vernice M. Swanstrom. She died Tues., Oct. 5, 1999 in a Duluth hospital. She was 72.

Vernice was born in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School. Vernice was a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell, worked for St. Luke’s Hospital for ten years and Polinski Rehabilitation Center for ten years, retiring in 1989.

Vernice is survived by her son Steven R. (Kris) of Saginaw, daughters Lynn (John) Peterson of Saginaw, Marolyn M. (Leonard) Losh of Cass Lake and Carolyn E. (Frank) Edwards of Lonedell, Mo., a brother Louis (JoAnn) Sjoberg of Two Harbors, 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.

George Herbranson, George E. Herbranson, who lived most of his life in Proctor, died Tues., Oct. 5, 1999 in a Duluth hospital. He was 85.

The Sixth Street resident was born in East Grand Forks, Minn. Around 1920, George moved to Proctor, where he later attended Proctor High School. On June 10, 1944, George married Tillie Kruszewski in Proctor and together they raised two children. Mr. Herbranson worked in the bridge and building department with DM&IR Railway for 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Edward, Clarence and Gordon, and Sisters Gladys and Mabel.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years Tillie, a daughter Sandy Wicklund of Duluth, a son George “Pogo” (Cindy) Herbranson of Proctor, a granddaughter Lisa (Curt) Tranah, a great-granddaughter Paige Tranah, nieces Beverly and Sharon, and a nephew Gordon.

Burial was in Oneota Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Ernest Sjodin, Ernest Algot “Ernie” Sjodin, 86, formerly of 121st Ave. W. and Midway Township, died Sun., Oct. 10, 1999 in Lake Haven Manor.

Ernie was born in Edmonton Alberta Canada and was a long time area resident. He served in the Army during WW II in North Africa and Italy. He worked for Interlake Iron for 23 years and for Clyde Iron for 12 years retiring in 1973. He was one of the iron workers who built the DECC.

Ernie was a charter member of the West Duluth Moose, member of the West Duluth Legion and the Steel Workers Union. Ernie was a colorful story teller and will be missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Esther Marie, a sister, and a brother.

Surviving are a son Rick A. (Lorna) of Holyoke, MN, three daughters Betty Ann (Dick) Rowe of Proctor, Jan K. (Dick) Rysman of Hermantown and Judy K. (Ray) Wiles of Cloquet, a brother Carl “Ed” of Proctor, seven grandchildren, a great granddaughter and nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery, Midway Township. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Greta Gulbranson, Joyce Ritchie of Proctor is mourning the death of her mother Greta E. Gulbranson. She died Thurs., Oct. 7, 1999 in a Duluth hospital. She was 80.

She was born in Germany, the former Prussia. In 1924, the Nornberg family moved to Rush City, Minn. Later, Greta attended and graduated from Faribault State School for the Deaf. Greta moved to Duluth in 1943 and married Kenneth Stanley Gulbranson. Mrs. Gulbranson was employed with Chun King for approximately five years and returned for an additional year following its sale to R.J. Reynolds.

She was a member of Bayside Baptist Church of Superior and taught Bible study to hearing-impaired children for many years. Greta was also active with the Minnesota Association for Deaf Citizens.

She is also survived by another daughter, sons John of Hermantown and Jeffrey of Adolph, a sister, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A private family service was held in Sunrise Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.

William Weiler, Private graveside services in the Canosia Cemetery were held today for William C. “Billy” Weiler. He died Mon., Oct. 11, 1999 in a Duluth hospital. He was 56.

Weiler lived on Shady Lane and was a lifelong area resident. He was born in Duluth and was a 1961 graduate of Hermantown High School. He married Dorothy Kehtel on Oct. 5, 1963 in Grace Lutheran Church. Billy was a sheet metal worker for many years and was a former employee of Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Railway. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and Sheet Metal Workers Union Local No. 10. Billy Loved his children and grandchildren, his home at Caribou Lake, fishing, Las Vegas and the Minnesota Vikings. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Lorraine Good.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy, son Michael (Kris) Weiler of Caribou Lake, daughter Heidi (Brian) Nelson of Duluth, brothers Floyd (Ardis) Weiler of Solon Springs and Rodney (Annie) Weiler of Esko, sister Joyce Bowman of Duluth, grandchildren Jacob and Jordan Weiler and Melinda and Nolan Nelson, several nieces and nephews, and his faithful companion Patches.

Pallbearers were Danny Good, Sammy Good, Scott Bowman, Mark Olsen, Jim Kehtel and Dave Kehtel. Honorary pallbearers were Jacob Weiler and Debbie Swanson. Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.