Sidney Alan Merritt

  may 19, 1960 ~ november 24, 2008 (AGE 48)

Sidney Alan Merritt, 48, of Cascade, Montana, a handyman, died from an apparent heart attack Saturday at a local hospital.  At this time, there are no services planned. Cremation will take place under the direction of Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory.  Survivors include his mother, Clarice Gaalswyk and a brother Scott Merritt, both of Motley, Minn.

Kathleen Louise (Bienusa) Pietz

april 19, 1962 ~ april 21, 2003 (AGE 41)

Ada Pietz of Proctor is mourning the death of her mother Kathleen Louise Bienusa Pietz. She died Mon., Apr. 21, 2003, in Staples, Minn. She was 41.

Kathy was born on April 19, 1962 in Anoka, Minn. to Roger and Sharon (Wing) Bienusa. She graduated from Staples High School in 1980, and from Wadena Vo-Tech in Cosmetology in 1982. She was employed at the Powder Puff Salon in Staples and the Hair Hut of Motley. She worked for a number of years as a waitress. She married August H. Pietz of Motley, Minn. in 1987. In 1989, she was employed by Burlington Northern Railroad as a switchman/ brakeman. She was promoted to conductor in 1991. She moved to Duluth in 1994, and went for promotion as a Locomotive Engineer in 1995. She was a member of the Union, the UTU, Local 1175. Kathy ended her railroad career in 1998 and went to work for the Duluth Regional Care Center helping the physically and mentally challenged adults.

She moved to Proctor in 2000 and became involved with the Proctor Winter Carnival as a volunteer. She was a member of Women of the Moose Proctor Chapter 1302. In 2001, she started go-cart racing and won first place in her very first race for the Keyboard Lounge.

Kathy loved life and always lived it to the fullest and treasured each new experience. She had many friends from Staples, Motley, Duluth, and Proctor who were very special to her'Geraldine Mertens, Sharon Goff, Steve and Mary Jo Reetz, Gail Breckenridge, Michelle Lenk, Steve Shake, Ernie Converse, Bonnie Line, Barb Hasselberg, Barb Bagley, Dennis Trana, Helen Pierson, Alan Guthrie, Krissy Bijold, Steve and Paula Hess, Katie Starkey, Neil Davis and the BPM's, Roger Raymond, Mike Scinocca, Jerry Hughes, Chopper Nick, C.J. Nick, Tom Schaffer, Wanda Larson, Deb Weir Hester, Mike Weir, Joe and Sandi Bodell, John and Lila Haugland, Nancy Nick and family, Pat Trudean, Frank Hickman, Rick Strom, Janice LeSarge, Kelly Michelizzi, Betty Joe and Jim Nichols.

Kathy was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Charles and Bertha Wing of Duluth, and her paternal grandparents George and Iris Bienusa of Staples.

She is also survived by her son Matthew Pietz of Staples, her parents, six sisters and five brothers, 12 nephews, five nieces, two great nephews, and many aunts and uncles.

Visitation at Brenny Funeral Home, 4th St. NE, Staples, Thurs. 5-8 p.m. with rosary at 7 and prayer service at 7:15 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Staples Fri., Apr. 25 at 10:30 a.m.

Barbara Elizabeth (Case) Jasmer

JULY 12, 1962 ~ MARCH 20, 2017 (AGE 54)

Barbara (Case) Jasmer, 54, of Staples, MN passed away Monday, March 20, 2017 surrounded by family, while watching her favorite show, Dancing with the Stars at the Lakewood Health System Care Center in Staples. Services for Barb will be at 11:00AM, Saturday, March 25 at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, with Pastor Floistad officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7PM on Friday, March 24 at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples and also one hour prior to services at the church.

Barb was born July 12, 1962 in Staples, MN to Cyril “Bruce” and Faye (Spencer) Case. She was a cheerleader and played softball during school and graduated from Staples High School. Barb worked at United District Hospital and as a bank teller at Lake Country State Bank in Eagle Bend. She was the world’s greatest Mom. Barb enjoyed sewing, gardening, canning, baking, riding bike, taking walks, playing bingo, but most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Barb was a loving mother, sister, daughter, nana, and great aunt.

Barb is survived by her mother, Faye; children, Nick Jasmer of Menahga, Betsy (Loren) Jasmer of New York Mills; grandchildren, Tayler and Eli; siblings, Lanny of Maple Grove, Mark of Staples, Dave (Cheryl) of Hemet, CA, Mike (Becky) of Austin, MN, Craig (Karmen) of Webster, SD, Ron (Jamie) of Staples; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Bruce; sister, Suzanne; grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples, MN.

Sharon Jane (Goff) Plath

september 25, 1961 ~ december 7, 2016 (AGE 55)

Sharon Jane (Goff) Plath, 55, of Cambridge, passed away unexpectedly at her home on December 7, 2016.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Dec. 16, 2017 at 11 a.m. at Cambridge Lutheran Church, 621 Old Main St. N Cambridge with visitation one hour prior to services at the church. 

A continued Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Motley Free Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Johnson officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church

Sharon was born September 25, 1961, to Harold Edward and Jane May (Melchert) Goff in Bertha. She received her GED from Staples High School. In July 2010, she married the love of her life, Dick Plath. Sharon enjoyed spending time with her family, friends and especially her grandchildren. 

She is survived by her husband; children, James (Angie) Goff, Motley, Tiffany (Bob) Sand, Trish (Eric) Nichols, Josh (Jenny) Plath; 12 grandchildren; three sisters, Geri Mertens, Staples, Carla (Rudy) Determan, Long Prairie, Cathy (Hans) Johnson, Pillager; one brother, Ed Johnson, Staples and many nieces, nephews and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers David Johnson and Terry Goff.

Michael Eugene Newton

1961? - August 29, 1976 (AGE 15)

Date of birth and obituary information could not be found.

Craig Nitschke Dause

 FEBRUARY 12. 1962 ~ JUNE 8, 2017 (AGE 55)

Craig Dause, 55, passed away June 8, 2017 in Staples, Minnesota, in his home. He was born Feb. 12, 1962 in Lodi, Minnesota.

Craig attended Oak View Elementary School and Galt High School. His junior year, he moved to Staples, Minn., and graduated from high school there. After high school, Craig returned to Lodi and worked for Valley Industries. Craig loved welding, working on his cars, motorcycle, fishing and hunting. The most important thing to him was being with his 11 grandchildren.

Craig leaves behind his wife Kia Dause, son Shawn Dause, daughter Casey Pruitt, all from Staples, Minn.; father Myron Dause of Acampo, mother Cheryl (Larry) Nitchke of Lodi, brother Mark (Laura) Dause of Galt and sister Tamera (Robert) Musolino of Granite Bay.

Craig was preceded in death by his daughter Cayla Dause.

Craig’s memorial will be held at a later date in Staples, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Heart Association.

Arrangements by Brenny Funeral Chapel.

Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples.  Pastor Kali Christensen will officiate. 

Darwin Keith Anderson

September 27, 1962 ~ July 4, 2020 (AGE 57)

Darwin Anderson, 57, Staples, passed away surrounded by family and friends on July 4, 2020. A funeral service will be held August 8 at Odden’s Park, Staples at 12:30 p.m. Dar loved hunting with his kids, country drives, demolition derbies and helping others. He had a special place in his heart for his cats. He enjoyed working at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Staples and the many years he spent at Manions Lumber in Pillager.