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Passing
We remember the friends of UMD who have left us.

Jennie Ahlin Thiel, ’59, died in April. Jennie lived in Virginia, and taught in Leonidas, Mountain Iron, Eveleth, Aurora, and Babbitt.

Milton J. Bailey, ’61, died in June. Milton had been a teacher and principal at Prince George's County public schools from 1951 until 1979.

Dr. Robert Bergan, ’32, died in July. Dr. Bergan served with the Army Medical Corps during World War II. Afterwards, he joined the Department of Pediatrics in the Duluth Clinic until his retirement in 1985. Bergan received the Gold Headed Cane Award in Pediatrics in 1995 from the UM Medical School. Before his death, Robert resided in Duluth.

Alfred Bolger, ’60, died in April. Alfred, of Arlington Heights, IL, was a retired telecommunications engineer. He worked for Morrison Knudsen Corp., Pan American World Airways, TRW, and NASA. Alfred also served in the Korean War.

Martha Colburn, ’34, died in February. Martha was living in Ruthven, IA.

Archie Eagles ’49, died in September. Archie resided in Roseville, MN and Sun City West, AZ. He worked as a terminal manager for Briggs Transportation and later as a sales manager for Brede Convention Services.

He also served on the Roseville Recreation Board as the Roseville Ice Arena chairman, and on the city planning commission.

Mildred "Millie" Louise Engebretson, of Duluth, died in May. Mildred graduated from UMD, ’52, before earning her master's degree in mathematics from Bemidji State. Mildred taught math in Warroad, Littlefork, Floodwood and Silver Bay High School from 1958 until 1986.

Bernard Erickson, ’52, died in November. Bernard served in the National Guard before working for Sears Roebuck & Co. for 30 years. After retiring from Sears, Bernard worked as a Realtor for Elder Enterprises and PS Engman Agency.

Kenneth Ray Erickson, ’74, died in October. Kenneth was an avid golfer and spent many hours enjoying courses around the country. He worked as a territory manager for Tidewater Healthcare in Conover, NC.

Fred Gatzke, of Duluth, died in July. Fred, a member of the UMD ’55, was an Air Force veteran from the Korean War. Fred worked at Jeno's for more than 20 years. He also was an avid fisherman.

RoseMarie Ginter, of Duluth, passed away in November. RoseMarie graduated from UMD in 1971. As a young adult, RoseMarie taught children in eight grades in a one-room schoolhouse. After receiving her degree from UMD, she taught in the Hermantown Public School district for more than 20 years.

James M. Harney, ’55, died in July. He had been living in Wauwatosa, WI. James served for 11 years as an assistant professor at Troy State University before retiring in December of 1999. James also spent 19 years as a public school teacher in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

David C. Johnson, ’69, died in April in San Diego. David attended UMD, receiving his bachelor's degree in English, graduating cum laude. He was a historian, musician, and talented potter as well as a baseball fanatic.

Donna Mae Johnson, of Two Harbors, died in October. Donna returned to school and graduated with a Masters of Education from UMD in 1982. Before retiring in 1997, she served as a placement coordinator and vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Division of Rehabilitation Services-State of Minnesota. Donna enjoyed watercolor painting, gardening, canoeing, camping and traveling.

Doris M. Johnson, ’49, died in November. Doris, of Ely Lake, MN, was a homemaker and also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Hibbing.

John H. Kershaw, ’39, died in December 1999 in Springfield, Missouri. John worked as a principal and superintendent in various Minnesota towns before moving to Missouri.

Waino John Kortesmaki, ’30, passed away in March. Waino, of St. Paul, founded the children's barn at the Minnesota State Fair. He also served as the executive secretary of the Future Farmers of America Chapter for Minnesota.

Florence Maher, of Glenwood, Minnesota, died in October. She taught elementary school for more than 30 years. Florence, ’65, was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa as well as the National Retired Educators Association, AARP and the Church of the Sacred Heart.

Charlotte Muermann Nielsen, of Cloquet, MN, died in June. Charlotte received her four-year teaching degree in 1955. She then worked in the Wrenshall and Esko school systems. Charlotte was very active in the PTA and women's organizations at church.

Florence I. Ogston, of Duluth, passed away in November. Florence was a member of the 1929 class of the Duluth State Teachers College. She later returned to UMD and received her masters degree in elementary education (MED).

James R. Pedersen, ’55, died in April. James purchased the East Bay Hotel in Grand Marais in 1956 and has been the owner ever since. James enjoyed golf, curling, hunting and fishing.

Irving M. Peterson, ’49, died in July. Irving played in both the Army field band and the Air Force Band. After the service, Irving lived and taught in International Falls, MN. Until his retirement in 1979, he was the band director for Falls High School.

Michael Schneuer, ’73, died in October. Michael worked as an accountant for the Hastings Human Services for more than 20 years. Mickey lived in Inver Grove Heights, MN before his death.

Eleanor Jane Slygh, ’64, died in April. Eleanor taught high school from 1964 until her retirement in 1989. Besides teaching, Eleanor was also a pianist and vocalist.

Arlone Van Vick, of Duluth, died early this year. Arlone was a member of UMD's ’33 class.

Milton Wakefield, of Duluth, died in October. Milton received his degree from UMD in 1951. Milton served in the Navy, and was instrumental in organizing the first blood bank and also dispensing some of the first penicillin in the South Pacific. Milton also co-owned and operated the Oatka Boat Club.