Esther Schlegel, Esther E. Schlegel, who moved to Proctor as a newlywed in 1927 with her husband, George, died Thurs., Oct. 14 in Pierz, MN. She was 88.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Mon., Oct. 18 in Little Falls. Father Dennis Hoffman and Father Nick Landsberger concelebrated.

She was born in Lastrup, MN. She grew up in Granite Township near Lastrup and attended high school in Pierz. Esther was married to George H. Schlegel on April 25, 1927 in Lastrup. They moved to Proctor, where George worked for the railroad and Esther worked as a store clerk for WHM Stewart Co. and Ruhnke Shoe Store. Esther and George retired in 1972 and moved to Little Falls. Following George’s death on March 24, 1987, Esther continued to live in Little Falls until Dec. 1995 when she moved to the Harmony House in Pierz. In April of 1999 she became a resident of St. Mary’s Villa in Pierz where she resided until her death.

She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, Christian Mothers, Daughters of Isabella, Secular Franciscans and the Women’s Catholic Order of Foresters.

Esther is survived by her son Alvin G. (Helen) of Brainerd, sisters Florence (William) Nagel of Little Falls, Cora (Reinhard) Gruber of Proctor, Mildred (Alex) Hoffman of Duluth and Louene (John) Walz of Pierz, four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Pallbearers were Con Berbe, Dan and Ken Hoffman, and Chris, Walter and Willis Schlegel.

Clarence Stokke, Clarence L. Stokke, who lived in the Proctor area most of his life, died Wed., Oct. 3, 1999 with his family by his side. He was 72.

He was born and grew up in Floodwood. He married Beverly Johnston Oct. 15, 1949. He was a machinist for the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range Railway where he worked for 37 years and retired in 1987. He also owned and operated the Stokke Sanitary Service for 20 years. He attended Augustana Lutheran Church of Midway, belonged to the Alborn Snow Devils, Proctor Moose Lodge 1302 and the Aerie Lake Association.

He was preceded in death by his father Elias, his mother Gerda and brothers, Kenneth and Julian.

Surviving are his loving wife of 50 years Beverly, sons Dennis (Monica) and David (Pam) of Hermantown, a daughter Cheryl (Murray Keogan) Stokke of Duluth, grandchildren Mollie (Scott) Lucia and Shaine Stokke, Justin, Jesse and Stacey Stokke, and Deandra and Kristopher Bjonskaas, brothers Leonard (Elaine) Stokke and Lester (Sadie) Stokke of Floodwood, sisters Inez Hill, Lorraine (Don) Guentzel and Darlene Mattila, all of Floodwood and Mary (Jim) Mart of Hermantown, several nieces and nephews.

Entombment was in Oneota Cemetery. Family prefers memorials directed to St. Mary’s Hospice.

Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Myrtle Merritt, Myrtle Merritt, who lived in Proctor since the late 1920’s died Sat., Oct. 16, 1999 in Duluth. She was 90.

The former Third Street resident was born in Grasston, Minn. She was active with the Salvation Army and was a secretary for the Home League through the former Salvation Army’s Central Avenue 3 location.

She was preceded in death by her husband James L. Sr., an infant son, her brother, and three sisters.

She is survived by a son James L. Jr. of Proctor and several nieces and nephews.

Burial was in Sunrise Memorial Park.

Arrangements were made by Bell Brothers Funeral Directors.