https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27813/karen-grim-west-77 2026-01-16T04:15:35Z Clovis, NM - Karen Grim-West, 77, of Clovis, NM, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Lubbock, TX. Karen was born on August 24, 1948, to George Mackenroth and Nona Mackenroth in Thief River Falls. She was retired from retail management. Survivors include her three children: John R. Grim, Tamra Soares and husband Andy both of Clovis, NM, Debra Emerick and husband Duane of Seguin, TX; grandchildren: Mazdin Fowler and husband Devin of Lubbock, TX, Levi Grim of Fort Worth, TX, Tiffany Spencer of Clovis, NM, Brittany Serbeck and husband Nick of Baltimore, MD, Cameron Munro and wife Sara of Clovis, NM, Allison Harshbarger of Colorado Springs, CO, Ben Soares of Poland, Chad Emerick and wife Kourtney of Nixon, TX, and Carlie Emerick of Seguin, TX; twin brother, Keith Mackenroth of New Hope; sisters, Mary Bandur of Clovis, NM, Vicky Breiland of Thief River Falls; 11 great-grandchildren; and two cats, Cracker and Scruffy. She is preceded in death by her first husband, John E. Grim; second husband, Phillip West; and parents, George Mackenroth and Nona Mackenroth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to the Farwell Care & Rehabilitation Center at 305 5th St. Farwell, TX 79325 in Karen’s name to honor her memory. A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at The Chapel of Angels, 1430 Thornton Street, Clovis, New Mexico 88101. A private burial will be held at later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, (575)762-4435. A00003B2026JA21 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/news/27816/callen-james-goering-is-riverview-healths-first-baby-of-2026 2026-01-16T12:04:35Z Callen James Goering is off to a milestone-filled beginning to life. Born Friday, Jan. 9, at 6:58 a.m., Callen is the first child of Hailey Seaver and Keaton Goering of Grand Forks. He is also the first grandchild on both sides of the family, welcomed by grandparents Derick and Amy Seaver and Josh and Heather Bruley, all of Crookston, and Troy and Jen Goering of Detroit Lakes. Adding to the list of firsts, Callen holds the title of RiverView Health’s first baby born in 2026. Originally from Crookston, the couple did not expect to welcome the first baby of the year as Callen was not due until Jan. 16. However, weighing in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 20.5 inches long, he was ready to make his debut via a planned cesarean section performed by Dr. Kari Wessman. “As a first-time mom, I thought everything went very smoothly,” said Hailey. “The nursing staff, doctors and everyone else who cared for us were exceptional. A huge thanks to Dawn (Johnston) and Dr. Wessman for such a great experience throughout pregnancy and always being there to answer all of my questions.” As a RiverView baby, Callen joins several special family members who were also born at RiverView, including grandparents Amy, Heather and Josh. His family also shares a deep-rooted connection to RiverView Health. Hailey, a radiologic technologist in Mayville, N.D., completed a student rotation in lab and radiology at RiverView. Grandma Amy has worked at RiverView for 30 years and currently serves as director of clinics. His great-grandmother, Joan Morlan, dedicated 47 years to RiverView as a nurse before retiring a few years ago, and his great-great-grandmother, Pat Romuld, who passed away in 1981, also worked as a nurse at Bethesda/RiverView for many years before retiring. With such a strong family legacy of patient care, it’s no surprise Hailey values quality healthcare. “I absolutely would recommend RiverView to expecting couples,” she said. “My care team all the way through, in all aspects, was amazing.” ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27812/margaret-nelson-97 2026-01-16T10:12:16Z Caledonia - Margaret Hilda (Wiegrefe) Nelson was born March 6, 1928, in Caledonia, MN to Herman and Ella (Beneke) Wiegrefe and raised in Eitzen, MN. She graduated from Caledonia Public High School in 1945. After graduation, Margaret took a secretarial training course at Winona Business College; then, worked in the Buffalo County Welfare Department in Alma, WI. She then moved to San Francisco, CA, where she worked as a secretary for the Mercantile Acceptance Corporation. She returned home to care for her ill mother. While at a dance in the spring of 1948, Margaret re-connected with a former classmate, Jack Nelson. They were married October 9,1948, at St. Luke’s Evangelical and Reform Church in Eitzen. Margaret was a stay-at-home wife and mother. She enjoyed gardening, canning, and sewing clothing for her children. She was a 4-H leader, helping her children with their 4-H projects, and later babysitting her grandchildren while their mother was stationed overseas. Margaret bowled many years with a bowling league in Thief River Falls, attended area senior dances where she “danced up a storm.” She raised chickens, sold eggs, enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and playing bingo. Margaret especially liked to travel. She visited her children at various stationed bases across the country during their military service, even taking a trip to England and Israel. In 2010, Margaret and Jack sold their farm in Middle River and moved back to Caledonia to be closer to family and relatives. After selling their house in 2021, she moved into Claddagh Senior Living. Margaret is survived by her husband of 77 years, Jack; daughter-in-law, Gail (Albee) of Caledonia; children, Mae Bubbers of LaCrescent, Haze (Mike) Fisch of Middleton, WI, Lois (Tom) Wang of Thief River Falls, Mark Nelson of Peyton, CO, Rose (Randy) Nelson of Vienna, VA, Tammy (Mark) Nelson of Minnetonka, Donna Nelson of Fredericksburg, VA, Carol Nelson of Prescott, AZ, and Kathy (Terry) Henrich of Brooklyn Park; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Ella Wiegrefe; stepmother, Evelyn Wiegrefe; sister, Marie and husband Neil Comstock; brothers, Leonard and wife, Lillie Wiegrefe and Lester and wife, Charlotte Wiegrefe; her in-laws, Evertte and Josphine Nelson, Keith and wife, Helen Nelson, and Nadine and husband, LaVerne Privet; son-in-law, Charlie Bubbers; son, Eric Nelson; and infant Arlo. Margaret died on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at the age of 97. On Saturday, February 28, 2026, a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., at the Caledonia United Methodist Church. Pastor Jill Diana will officiate. A visitation will be held from 1 p.m., until the time of service. Following the service there will be a lunch in the dining hall. The burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hokah, MN, at a later date. Arrangements were made by Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory. Online condolences may be offered at www.FredricksonFuneral Homes.com. A00003B2026JA21 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27810/tammy-carlson-65 2026-01-16T10:09:53Z Vermillion - Tammy Renee Carlson, 65, of Vermillion, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 3, 2026, after courageously battling stage 4 lung cancer for over fifteen years. Born on October 4, 1960, at Northwestern Hospital in Thief River Falls, Tammy lived her life with fearless determination, boundless love, and an unshakable spirit that inspired everyone who knew her. The beloved wife of Keith Carlson, and devoted mother to Jonah, Josiah, and Julian Carlson, Tammy’s greatest joy was her family. She was a steady source of laughter, wisdom, and compassion, always ready to listen, encourage, or simply share a moment of warmth. Tammy also shared a deep bond with her siblings: Curtis Carpenter, Shelley Fredericks, Greg Carpenter, Kristi Carpenter, and Chad Carpenter – each of whom cherished her strength and humor. Throughout her cancer journey, Tammy participated in groundbreaking medical research that not only helped extend her own life, but also contributed to greater understanding and hope for others facing similar battles. In this, she remained true to her nature – fearless, generous, and committed to making a difference. Tammy found joy in life’s simple pleasures: visiting with loved ones, riding her motorcycle, meticulously crafting beautiful beadwork, shopping for hidden treasures in thrift stores, and soaking in the energy of live music. Her creativity and wit brightened every space she entered. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dennis Carpenter and Patricia Sorenson; and her grandparents, Arthur and Evelyn Erickson, and Louie and Gertie Carpenter. A Celebration of Life will be held in May, with date and location to be announced. Our eternal gratitude and love go out to the doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, phlebotomists, and receptionists at MN Oncology in Woodbury and United Hospital in St. Paul, who cared for Tammy with compassion and dedication throughout her long journey. A00003B2026JA21 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/northern-watch/27806/january-17-2026 2026-01-16T06:00:15Z ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/jobs/27804/nctc-careers 2026-01-15T11:33:56Z ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/jobs/27802/auctioneer-office-assistant 2026-01-15T11:28:08Z ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27801/velma-oakland-86 2026-01-15T09:06:40Z Red Lake Falls - Velma Oakland, of Red Lake Falls, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Lake Falls. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at Bethania Cemetery, rural Perley, MN. Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/sports/27798/trf-boys-fall-to-no-2-red-lake-county 2026-01-14T08:41:56Z by Scott DCamp Sports Editor Thief River Falls senior Bridger Wilcox joined an elite group of basketball players when he scored his 1,000th career point during the second half of Thursday night’s home game between the Prowlers and the Northern Freeze. Wilcox’s 1,000th career point came during a 1-1 week for the Prowlers, who dropped a 65-44 decision on the road at second-ranked Red Lake County on Tuesday, before bouncing back with a 74-69 win over the Freeze Thursday night in the Lincoln High School Brickhouse. “Bridger’s 1,000 is a great individual accomplishment for him,” said Thief River Falls Head Coach Jon Hams. “It is indicative of how much time as an individual he puts into his game and how hard he has worked at it. For the three years he has been starting, he has led the team both on and off the floor, showing what a great individual he is, and is a model for younger players to emulate. As his coach and as a team we couldn't be prouder of his accomplishment.” Wilcox’s milestone came one game after the Prowlers couldn’t get much of anything going on the road in Oklee against second-ranked Red Lake County. The Prowlers got off to a slow start and trailed 34-16 at the break, before falling 65-44. “For us the slow night from the field against Red Lake County hurt us,” Hams said. “We missed way too many shots in the paints and to beat them you have to match their scoring.” The loss to the Rebels snapped a five-game winning streak for the Prowlers. The Prowlers were back in action two nights later against the Freeze. The Prowlers started fast, with a 39-24 lead through one half of play and held on for a 74-69 win. “The Freeze started the opposite for us,” Hams said. “We started hot and stayed hot through the first half, being led by Bridger and Tucker. They dared Tucker to shoot threes and he hit two of them in the first half. Bridger was also very efficient in the first half.” “In the second half, they made it their mission to stop Bridger from getting his 1000th and tried to deny him the ball as much as they could,” Hams said. “Despite this, Bridger made them pay going eight of 10 in the second half from the line and 13 of 17 overall.” The Freeze worked the 15-point halftime deficit down to two scores late, but they were unable to get any closer due to the Prowlers hitting 22 of 28 free throws as a team The extra attention drawn by Wilcox opened things up for Wyatt Nelson, who scored eight of his 13 points in the second half. When he did get the ball, Wilcox made the most of his chances, hitting on 10 of 22 field goals, including a two-for-four effort from beyond the arc for a game-high 35 points. Also reaching double figures for the Prowlers was Tucker Grindeland with 13 points. Thief River Falls improved to 7-2 with the win. Scoring 1 2 T Thief River Falls 16 28 44 Red Lake County 34 32 65 TRF - Bridger Wilcox 14, Wyatt Nelson 6, Jett Cornelius 2, Carsten Westerman 2, Casey Nelson 3, Connor Bruce 6, Adrian Nelson 3, Spencer Skaar 8. RLC - Ethan Johnson 2, Will Gieseke 16, Ben Gullingsrud 8, Nate Powers 10, Atly Vettleson 5, Logan Vettleson 4, Nick Suchy 3, Connor Duden 15, Benji Brammer 2. Scoring 1 2 T Northern Freeze 24 45 69 Thief River Falls 39 35 74 Northern Freeze - Sawyer Torgerson 7, Blair Moen 4, Trig Anderson 2, Kelby Augustine 5, Alex Bray 22, Cale Pearson 9, Brekken Bring 4, Avynn Ryba 10, Wyatt Klopp 4, Unknown 2. TRF - Tucker Grindeland 13, Bridger Wilcox 35, Wyatt Nelson 13, Jett Cornelius 5, Connor Bruce 4, Lane Waldal 1, Dylan Osowski 3. Section 8AA Overall QRF W L Thief River Falls 7 2 60.5 Osakis 6 3 54.3 DGF 7 4 52.7 Perham 6 4 52.3 Staples-Motley 5 4 50.1 East Grand Forks 7 4 49.1 Barnesville 5 6 46.9 Warroad 8 6 43.9 Hawley 3 8 33.1 Menahga 4 6 26.6 Wadena-Deer Creek 2 6 25.9 Roseau 2 9 23.6 Park Rapids Area 1 6 17.4 Crookston 0 7 11.2 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/news/27796/trf-council-reorganizes-for-2026 2026-01-14T08:23:05Z by April Scheinoha Editor The Thief River Falls City Council approved various organizational matters Tuesday, Jan. 6 at its first meeting of 2026. City Council approved council committee assignments for 2026: • Utilities Committee – Mayor Mike Lorenson, and council members Kelly Langness, Michele McCraw and J. Scott Pream. McCraw chairs the committee, which meets the second Monday of each month at 7 a.m. • Public Safety/Liquor Committee – Council members Jason Aarestad, Megan Arlt, Julie Bolduc and Steve Narverud. Aarestad chairs the committee, which meets the second Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. • Public Works Committee – Bolduc, McCraw, Narverud and Pream. Narverud chairs the committee, which meets the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. • Administrative Services Committee – Aarestad, Arlt, Langness and Lorenson. Lorenson chairs the committee, which meets the second Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. • Budget/Finance Committee (ad hoc) – Lorenson, Narverud and McCraw • Personnel/Labor Committee (ad hoc) – Aarestad, Lorenson and Narverud • Long Range Planning/Annexation (ad hoc) – Lorenson, McCraw and Narverud • Strategic Planning Work Group – Lorenson, McCraw, Narverud and City Administrator Angie Philipp • Building Work Group – Aarestad, Lorenson and Narverud The council appointed Narverud as acting mayor in the absence of Lorenson for calendar year 2026. City Council adopted the Northern Minnesota (Duluth) meal reimbursement schedule and 2026 federal mileage rate. Per the schedule, meal reimbursement for travel outside the county would be reimbursed at $22 for breakfast, $23 for lunch and $36 for dinner. Alcohol and tips won’t be reimbursed. The city will also follow the federal mileage reimbursement rate of 72.5 cents per mile. The council reappointed Chad Broadwell to a three-year term on the Community Development Advisory Board. Broadwell’s term was set to expire Jan. 31. ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/legals/27778/notice-of-mortgage-foreclosure-sale-gene-d-bedard 2026-01-14T08:00:40Z ]]> https://trftimes.com/legals/27779/notice-of-hearing-pennington-county 2026-01-14T08:00:24Z ]]> https://trftimes.com/legals/27780/pennington-county-board-official-proceedings-dec-30 2026-01-14T08:00:10Z ]]> https://trftimes.com/e-edition/27792/january-14-2026 2026-01-13T11:56:07Z ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27790/lola-wiskow-88 2026-01-13T11:08:30Z Baxter - Lola Mae Wiskow, age 88 of Baxter, formerly of Thief River Falls, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. Lola Mae (Rustan) Wiskow was born October 24, 1937 to Bernhard and Monica (Erickson) Rustan in Greenbush. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethania Lutheran Church in Greenbush. She graduated from Greenbush High School in 1955. After high school, she moved to Minneapolis and worked at Augsburg Publishing House, Campbell Mithun and Knox Reeves Advertising companies. Lola was united in marriage to Wallace Wiskow on October 25, 1958. To this union two children were born, Debra Lynn (Wiskow) McCarthy and Duane Wallace Wiskow. The couple lived in Minneapolis for a couple years and then moved to Thief River Falls in 1960. Lola later attended Starkey Labs school and Minnesota Hearing Aid Society to become a Board-Certified hearing aid associate. She worked for the Hearing Aid Center in Thief River Falls for thirty-three years before purchasing it and running it as Lola’s Hearing Aid Center for another ten years retiring in 2015. She was a member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls for over 40 years where she taught Sunday School, served as a Luther League Advisor, and participated in Women’s Missionary Federation (WMF). Lola is survived by her children, Deb (Jeff) McCarthy of Baxter, and Duane Wiskow of Breezy Point; grandchildren, Sean (Breanna) McCarthy of Ypsilanti, MI and Kara (Rich) Carluccio of Minneapolis; great-grandchildren, Izzi and Gabriel Carluccio of Minneapolis; sister, Dian Johnson and brother, Brad Rustan both of Thief River Falls; brothers-in-law, Walter Wiskow of Wadena, and LeRoy (Annette) Wiskow of Virginia; sister-in-law, Lucy Wiskow of Strathcona; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wallace Wiskow; parents, Bernhard and Monica Rustan; mother and father in-law, Walter and Cora Wiskow; brothers-in-law, Cordell Wiskow, Lyle Wiskow, and Wayne Johnson; brother and sister-in-law, Harley and Vi Gilthvedt; and sister-in-law, Elinor Wiskow. Lola’s life was defined by her dedication to her family and friends, along with her kind and generous heart. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the funeral service to be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Pastor Alex Amiot officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls. Memorials are suggested to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. A00003B2026JA14 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27788/leslie-les-hofstad-85 2026-01-13T11:06:54Z Plummer - Leslie David Hofstad, “Les”, was born at home in Grand Forks, ND on August 15, 1940, to parents Osmund and Marie (Johnson) Hofstad. In 1943 he and his family moved to the family farm north of Oklee, where Les attended school, graduating from Oklee High School in 1958. While in high school, Les played football, basketball, and track. He served in the US Army from 1960–63, spending most of his time in Germany, stationed at Karlsruhe. After his honorable discharge, he worked road construction in the summer and attended Bemidji State College in the winter, graduating in 1970 with a BS degree in elementary education. He then taught 5th grade at Plummer Elementary School and coached B team basketball. Les retired from teaching after 22 years to go full time farming, raising grain and beef cattle. In 2011 he retired from farming. While teaching in Plummer, he met his future wife, Alice Gummert. They were married August 17, 1974, and had 51 happy years together. To this union two children were born: David and Diana. Les and Alice enjoyed traveling to Germany, San Franciso, New York City, Florida, and Arizona. Les was very active in the Plummer American Legion having served as post commander, chaplain, bingo caller, and on the color guard. He also served on the SWCD and RC&D boards. After earning his private pilot’s license, he enjoyed flying over area farms, looking at crops and giving rides. He was a member of the Red Lake Falls Flying Club, the Tri-Rivers Museum of Plummer, Plummer Sportsman Club, and Plummer Snowmobile Club. Most of his life he was a member of Salem Lutheran Church of rural Oklee where he was confirmed and had served as usher, Sunday School teacher, congregation president, financial secretary, and council member. Les was proud of his military service and was on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in April 2025. He loved his community, his church, and his family. The sixth of nine children, Les is survived by his wife, Alice; son, David and his wife Stacey of Oklee; daughter, Diana Marquart and husband Travis and grandchildren Ellalynn Marquart and Ethan Marquart of Red Lake Falls. He is also survived by his sister, Elaine Broker of Grafton, ND; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins, Caroline Marquis of Cascade, MT and Ione Olson of Thief River Falls. Les was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers: Stanley-2005, Orlando (Jean)-2023, Paul-1963, Raymond (Karen)-2010; his sisters: Doris (Wallace) Nelson-2009, Lois (Bobby) Westmoreland-2021, Carol (Kerry) Roisland-2024; his cousins: Warren Wilmo, Wesley Wilmo, Alice “Durley” Wilmo Dulac, and Glenn (Linda) Hofstad. Surrounded by his family, Les passed away on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the age of 85 years, 4 months, and 24 days from an aggressive cancer of unknown origin. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Salem Lutheran Church or Tri-Rivers Museum. May his memory be blessed. The funeral service for Les will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Salem Lutheran Church near Oklee, with SAM Lindi Christianson and Reverend Timothy Lundeen officiating. Burial will be at the Salem Church Cemetery. Military Honors will be provided by the Red Lake County Joint Honor Guard and the Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, starting at 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com. A00003B2026JA14 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27786/gunner-thorpe-18 2026-01-13T11:01:45Z Thief River Falls - Gunner Jack Thorpe, beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in Plummer, at the tender age of 18. He was born on November 1, 2007, in Thief River Falls, and lived a vibrant life filled with joy, laughter, and love. Gunner was a thoughtful and fun-loving young man who brightened the lives of all who knew him. His educational journey began at Challenger Elementary, continued through Franklin Middle School, and culminated at Lincoln High School, where he was well-regarded by both his peers and teachers. During his high school years, Gunner worked for several summers at Falls Stay n’ Play in Thief River Falls, creating lasting memories and friendships that he cherished deeply. His passion for life extended beyond academics to a wealth of interests. He loved to work out and immerse himself in sports, finding joy in wrestling, soccer, baseball, basketball, going to the gym, and daily rounds of golf with friends. He recently found a new passion of tinkering with old cars and small engines. He was also an avid dirt bike rider, enjoying the thrill of adventure and camaraderie with his buddies. Gunner’s spirit was complemented by his strong family ties. He is survived by his loving mother, Shawna (Jon) DeMolee; and his father, Darin Thorpe. He shared a deep bond with his sister Noel (Tyler) Richards and their son, Gunner’s cherished nephew, Hunter Richards. He leaves behind his brother, Michael Thorpe. Gunner was also surrounded by the love of his grandparents, Carol (Bryan Stevens) Bray, Tom (Nancy) Bray, and Jerry and Kathy Thorpe; as well as his great-grandmother, Jeanette Bray. He is remembered fondly by his second mothers, Stacey Olson and Melanie Hanson, who were significant presences in his life. Gunner had a big heart for his dog companions, Shadow, Penny, Mister, Missy, and Lily who provided him with unconditional love and companionship. Alongside them, he leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and many close friends who will forever hold his memory in their hearts. Gunner was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Jack and Elsa Nomeland, Henry Bray, Annette Boe, Ilton and Helen Thorpe, and Raymond and Edny Neuhalfen; grandparents, Larry and Joanne Miller; and aunt, Darci Thorpe. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, with Rev. Jonathan Dodson officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Zion Lutheran in Thief River Falls. A00003B2026JA14 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27784/elaine-barclay-76 2026-01-13T10:56:43Z Eden Prairie - Elaine Carol Barclay passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, January 8, 2026. She was born February 21, 1949 and devoted her life to caring for others, a commitment she carried out with steady warmth, resilience and a wonderful sense of humor. Elaine grew up on a farm outside Grygla, where close family ties and strong community values shaped her life. She graduated from Goodridge High School and later moved to Minneapolis to pursue a career in nursing, earning her Registered Nurse degree through Abbott School of Nursing. Elaine was proud of her work in healthcare and the compassion and professionalism she brought to every role. She spent much of her career at Ridgeview Medical Center, where she served as Head Nurse. While working full-time and raising two children as a single parent, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and later her Nurse Practitioner designation. She spent the final years of her career as a Nurse Practitioner at a Johns Hopkins affiliated clinic in Burnsville, leaving a lasting impression on colleagues and patients through her skill, incredible work ethic and genuine care. Above all else, Elaine loved being a mother. She made countless sacrifices to put the needs of her children first, creating a loving and stable home and providing a strong foundation that sustained them throughout their lives. Elaine embraced an active and joyful life. She was an avid walker who loved being outside and staying on the move. She had fun biking, bowling, traveling, organizing annual family cabin trips to Ely, MN, and playing card games, mahjong and pickleball. In retirement, she lived in Toronto, Canada, and Melbourne, Australia, to be near her beloved grandchildren, before returning to the Twin Cities and continuing her active lifestyle within her Applewood Pointe senior community. Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Thea and Manley Anderson; and her siblings, Glenn Anderson and Mary Wischer. She is survived by her children, Terry Barclay (Michelle) of Minneapolis and Deanna Pathak (Sanjay) of Toronto; her grandchildren, Rohan and Adelaide Pathak; her siblings, Janice Anderson, Roger Anderson (Marion), Glenda Gobelman (Gary), and Kari Anderson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her close friend, Beverly Johnson, born at the same hospital on the same day; and many others whose friendship meant so much to her. In lieu of flowers, Elaine requested donations be made to Little Hospice in Edina (littlehospice.org/ donate), in gratitude for the incredible care she received in her final weeks. A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held later this spring with details to be shared on her CaringBridge site. A00003B2026JA14 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/obituaries/27782/joel-swanson-sr-77 2026-01-13T10:54:43Z New Brighton - New Brighton - Joel Anthony Swanson, Sr., 77, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Saturday, January 3, 2026, after a day spent celebrating the holidays with children and grandchildren at his home in New Brighton. A supportive and loving brother, husband, father, and grandfather, his larger-than-life personality helped him befriend everyone he met. The eldest of eight children, Joel grew up on a farm outside Morris, MN, where he graduated high school and met his wife, Donna (Pasche) Swanson, who preceded him in death December 21, 2022, after a 53-year marriage filled with love, laughter, and community. Joel was a natural leader and joined the Marine Corps right after graduating from the U of M Morris. Throughout his life, he was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Rotary Club, several Chambers of Commerce, and more. But he took his Dad/Grandpa duties even more seriously, supporting his children and grandchildren in every performance, sporting event, and professional success he could attend. Joel led turnarounds for radio stations in Thief River Falls, Detroit Lakes, and others, and had a very successful career in radio over the course of forty years. Joel’s drive to contribute kept him active, and he was still working as Parish Administrator at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Chaska when he died. He and his wife were devoted fans of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings, and Gophers, as well as any college team where his children or grandchildren attended. Joel is survived by his children: Joel II (Heidi), Wendy, Michael (Shelly), Teresa (Tyler Bitker), and Amanda (John Meuwissen); and 13 grandsons: Ryker, Joel III (Ulysses), Daniel, Deklin, Gunner, Benjamin, Gannon, Zander, Owen, Micah, Grady, Korbin, and McKoy. In addition, he is survived by his five brothers, Keith, Ken, Chad, Rod, and Tod Swanson; and two sisters, Patricia Kilanowski and Angela Nelson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; and his parents, Douglas and Edell Swanson. Memorials preferred to Wounded Warrior Project here: www.woundedwarriorproject.org (Veterans Charity - Non Profit Organization for Veterans) or Tunnels to Towers here: www.t2t.org (Tunnel to Towers Foundation). A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in New Brighton, with an open casket viewing at 9 a.m., and reception following in the church hall. Arrangements are with New Brighton Chapel, 651-636-9821, www.Washburn-McReavy.com. A00003B2026JA14 ]]> ]]> https://trftimes.com/news/27777/potential-threat-reported-at-lhs-monday 2026-01-12T11:05:37Z On Monday morning, Lincoln High School staff were notified about a potential threat at the school. Police Chief Marissa Adam told The Times that a male student had sent a message to another student, talking about bringing a weapon to school. According to information provided to LHS parents, the student involved was marked absent, so LHS immediately moved into a secure mode and locked all exterior doors while law enforcement went to the student’s home. The message noted, “Law enforcement and school administration checked the building for any potential threats while classrooms remained in a hold mode.” Adam said interior doors were closed, but remained unlocked as they swept the building. The sweep was clear. The message noted that law enforcement apprehended the student at home. Adam believed he would be taken to the Northwest Juvenile Training Center in Bemidji. The secure and hold mode has since been lifted at the school, which is moving into a normal school day. “We appreciate a student bringing this concern to our building leadership and the swift action by law enforcement and our building leaders to support student and staff safety,” the message said. “Please forward any questions and/or concerns to building or district leaders.” ]]> ]]>