A memorial service for Beatrice “Bea” Hall will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2008.

This celebration of her life will take place at Zion Lutheran Church.

Arthur Ojala, of International Falls, passed away Sunday, June 1, 2008 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth. He was 86 years of age.
Arthur Ojala was born in Eveleth, Minn., August 2, 1921 on the Iron Range to Finnish immigrant parents, Charles Ojala and Mary Pohlman.
This played a large role in his interest in politics and worker’s rights because many family members and friends worked in the iron ore mines and suffered many injuries and deaths. His older sister Hazel died of influenza at 3 years of age.

Theodore Yule Bilyeu, International Falls, Minn., passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008 at his home in the Falls. Ted was 84 years of age.
He was born May 20, 1924 in Emo, Ontario, Canada to Abner and Yetta Bilyeu of Birchdale, Minn.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Loraine (Sneath) Bilyeu; grandson, Irish Bowman; and his three brothers, Victor, Leo and Glen.

Vance Rice Gowdy, Big Falls, Minn., died Monday, June 2, 2008 at the Bigfork Hospital. He was 91 years of age.
Vance was born Aug. 17, 1916 in Gowdy Township in Koochiching County near Big Falls, and was a lifelong resident of Big Falls.

Kenneth Sylvester Larson, of International Falls, Minn., passed away Saturday, May 31, 2008 at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Duluth, Minn. Kenneth was 83 years of age.
He was born Dec. 10, 1924 to James and Amanda Larson at Roseau, Minn. He grew up in Roseau and served in the United States Army in World War II from 1945 to 1946. He later farmed in Roseau before moving to International Falls in 1954 where he has been a resident ever since.
Ken was united in marriage to Harriet “Lenora” Wickstrom.

Ervin L. “Fritz” Donner, husband of Dolores “Pal” Donner, went home to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 31, 2008. He was 84 years of age.
Fritz was born in Park Falls, Wis., Sept. 3, 1923.
Fritz, his brother Bud, and their father Homer, all joined the United States Navy at the same time at Milwaukee, Wis. Fritz served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945.

A private family memorial service and interment at Hamilton Cemetery in rural Racine, Minn., for Aila O. “Eileen” Milender, 90, of Stewartville, Minn., will take place at a later date.
Mrs. Milender died Friday, May 23, 2008, of natural causes at the Stewartville Care Center where she had resided since July of last year.
Aila Onerva Blom was born Sept. 13, 1917, in Crozier, Ontario. She grew up on the family farm in Canada and attended rural schools.

Elaine (Black) Ollikkala, International Falls, Minn., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Sunday, June 1, 2008 at St. Mary’s Hospice in Duluth.
Elaine was born Aug. 4, 1954 to John and Ailie Saarikoski.
She attended the Cook school and in recent years worked as the manager of the Pizza Barn in the Falls.
Elaine met her special friend Joe Black and for the past 12 years developed a loving companionship together.

Russell James Ernest Hall died Friday, May 30, 2008 at the age of 80 years, 10 months.
He was born July 7, 1927 in Mentor, Minn., to Ernest and Ellen (Casmy) Hall, the seventh child of 17 children. They moved to International Falls when he was 7 years old. He attended school in Ranier and International Falls.

Ricky William Slatinski, International Falls, Minn., died Thursday, May 29, 2008 at his home in the Falls.
Ricky was born Nov. 28, 1953 in International Falls, Minn.
He worked for over 15 years as a rigger in the Maintenance Division of Boise. He also worked in the construction industry as a carpenter and as a guide on Lake Kabetogama and Lake Namakan.
Ricky served in the United States Air Force from 1971 to 1974.
He operated a trail groomer for the Snow Drifters Snowmobile Club and was a volunteer fireman and EMT in Kabetogama.