Cloquet Educational Foundation

Alvin (Al) Alm passed away on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026.

Al was born in Albert Lea, MN on July 30, 1935. He was the son of Benjamin and Minnie (Speahler) Alm. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1953 and attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis before being drafted in the U.S. Army in 1954. He served with the 2nd Armored Division in Germany as part of the occupation army before his honorable discharge in 1963 after completing his eight years of active and inactive miliary service. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and the DAV.

Al was united in marriage to his wife, Martha, in 1960. In 1961, he graduated from the University of Minnesota with a B.S. degree in Forest Management. Upon graduation, he joined a forestry consulting firm in Jackson, MI as an Associate Forester. He returned to Minnesota to pursue graduate studies at the University and received an M.S. degree in 1965. Al then worked as a property appraiser with the Bureau of Public Roads with assignments in St. Paul, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. He left the government employment and again returned to Minnesota to obtain his Ph.D. in Forestry in 1971.

He joined the faculty of the University College of Forestry in St. Paul as an Assistant Professor and achieved the rank of full professor. Al commuted form his office at the Cloquet Forestry Center to the St. Paul campus to teach his very popular silviculture course and a public speaking course for college seniors. He also taught several courses at the Forestry Center in spring and fall as well as during the summer. He served as the interim director of the center in 1990. In 1983, the college student yearbook was dedicated to him with the following quote, “What makes Al Alm so special is his willingness to take time to converse with students with a sincere interest and concern despite his teaching and research responsibilities.” In 1990 he was nominated to receive a university award for outstanding teachers. He received an award at his retirement gathering with the following words, “Al Alm in appreciation of his devotion to the profession of forestry, a dedicated teacher with a practical real-world perspective and productive assistance on a continuing basis to practicing field forest managers, he is representative of a rapidly vanishing academic breed who will sorely be missed and long remembered.”

Al specialized in regeneration research and helped to develop the concept of growing trees in greenhouses in small containers which is still in use today. Other research was in the use of forest herbicides and Christmas tree production. He served for over 30 years as a Christmas tree judge at the Minnesota State Fair. He is the author of over 100 scientific and technical publications including the Minnesota Christmas Tree Bulletin and is the co-author of a book on forestry practice and the author of a novel, “Coach”, the story of a basketball coach. Al was selected as Forester of the Year in 1991 by the University Forestry Club and in 1992 received the Award of Excellence from the Minnesota DNR for his efforts in reviewing their forest regeneration program. He was a member of national forestry and scientific honorary fraternities.

Al loved to hunt ducks and pheasants and was an avid fisherman making many trips to Canada and the Cutfoot Sioux area in Minnesota. He participated in many outdoor sports and also bowled in several leagues. He enjoyed frequent camping trips with
his family in their little pop-up camper as they traveled around the U.S. After retirement, he and Martha traveled extensively and visited all 50 states and made several trips to Europe. His most memorable trip was to China with a group of forest scientists to visit the Great Dragon Fire area. He also enjoyed playing golf with a group of seniors and is a former member of the Cloquet Country Club. As he and Martha traveled, they brought their golf clubs along and played a total of 142 different courses in 20 states and Canada.

Upon retirement Al served as a 55 Alive Instructor and Assistant State Coordinator of the program. He also did income taxes for seniors for the AARP program. He authored the Cloquet City Tree Ordinance and with the help of a graduate student and the encouragement of Cloquet mayor, Helen Wolner, conducted a survey of the trees on the Cloquet streets. Apparently after the Fires of 1918, the Cloquet citizens planted any tree they could find as evidenced by a catalpa tree that was found still living although it was way out of its normal range. The ordinance and survey led to Cloquet receiving a Tree City USA award for several years. He was on the Cloquet Library Board and served as chair; the Cloquet Educational Foundation; the Cloquet Hospital Board and the Hospital Foundation Board. He was a past president of the Golden K Kiwanis Club and was on the board of directors for several years. He was also on the Members Cooperative Credit Union Board and served as chair. In addition, he served on several community, school, and city committees. One of his hobbies was wood carving and he enjoyed carving with the Knotty Carvers of the North Club in Proctor. In his later years, he enjoyed having coffee and the Senior Center with his friend and visiting with the friendly staff. Al was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cloquet.

He is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Martha; two daughters, Bonnie (Jody) Keppers in Duluth, MN and Susan (Mark) Larson in Phoenix, AZ; four grandsons, Axel (Sasha) Ferguson, Spencer Ferguson, Paul Ferguson, and Benjamin Keppers; one great-grandson, William Ferguson; and one great-granddaughter, Odette Ferguson; niece, Mary Kluball; nephew, Ben Alm; brother, Donald Alm; and numerous extended family members and loved ones.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, from 10 AM – 12 noon at St. Paul’s Evangelical Church (1705 Wilson Avenue, Cloquet, MN) until the funeral service at 12 noon. Al will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Glenville, MN.

Class of 1982
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Nancy Jean Williams, 62, of Cloquet, MN, passed away peacefully Monday, June 22, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke’s surrounded by her family.

She was born on November 24, 1963, to Robert and Amerita (Pollak) Schoen in Cloquet, MN and was raised in the area with her four sisters. She graduated from Cloquet High School in 1982 and married her high school sweetheart, Steven Williams in 1983. They had two children, Katrina and Emily, and raised them in the Cloquet area.

Nancy started working at First National Bank in Cloquet and continued her banking career in the area, until she retired from Frandsen Bank in 2025.

Nancy will be remembered for her love of family, being the hostest with the mostest and her home cooked meals. People say, if you left Nancy’s house hungry, it was your own fault. She loved to find new recipes in cookbooks, online and from many hours of watching the Food Network channel. Surprisingly, she never used recipes when she cooked because she believed everything should be cooked to taste. She loved being in the kitchen making a few “snacks” for family gatherings. A crowded house of people brought her so much joy. Her smile and laughter would light up the room. She also loved time with her family and the cherished “Sunday Fundays” which were filled with food, fun and laughter.

She enjoyed cruising the lake on her pontoon with her boat captain Steve and beloved dog Gabby. Nancy loved her yearly camping trips to Big Sandy and Stony Point Campground on Leech Lake. She also loved being at their permanent campsite on Big Lake. Camping was a part of her life from an early age and she loved sharing the time with family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Susan Brookshaw; and father-in-law, Robert Williams.

Nancy is survived by her husband, Steven; children, Katrina (Clay) Foxx and Emily (Kyle) Johnson; grandchildren, Kaelyn, Kali, Hailey, Kennadi, and Bentley; siblings, Cathy (Dean) Guitare, Mary Schoen, and Dorothy (Jim) Bruggeman; brother-in-law, Patrick Brookshaw; mother-in-law, Char Williams; and many other close friends, family, nieces, and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Monday, June 29, 2026, from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church in Carlton, MN. Interment to follow at New Calvary Cemetery in Cloquet, with luncheon at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Cloquet, MN.

Spring/Summer 2026 Newsletter
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Class of 1974
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David E. Hall, 69, of Cloquet, MN. passed away on Sunday, June 7th, 2026, at Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth.

Dave was born to Eugene and Beatrice (Bugbee) Hall on August 10th, 1956, in Sandstone MN. Dave grew up in Cloquet with his two siblings, Nancy and Jim. He graduated from Cloquet High School in 1974. He attended the University of Minnesota-Duluth, completed his master’s degree from University of Wisconsin-Superior, completed Chemical Dependency training at Hazelden and was ordained at Journey Christian Church.

Dave married his wife, Grace Ohlin, in 1985. They had 4 children. Dave worked a variety of jobs including; Potlatch, Chemical Dependency Counselor at Miller Dwan, Director of Phoenix Family Center, Employee Assistance at Miller Dwan, Counselor at Lake Superior Family Services Gambling Program, Social Worker at Carlton County Human Services, Counseling Pastor at Journey Christian Church.

Dave also volunteered at the following: led a Su***de Survivors Support Group, worked with a private practitioners group providing crisis services in Northern Minnesota, Cloquet Memorial Hospital board member, Chaplain for Carlton County Sheriff’s Department, and led a Cancer Support Group.

Dave was a man of faith. He began his relationship with Jesus in 1982. From the start, words spoken over Dave were that he would have a spirit of counsel in him. That as he found freedom in Christ, he would have a longing to see others set free. Dave spent close to 50 years fulfilling that prophecy, counseling in many different programs and in many different situations. Dave felt his counseling career came full circle when he began counseling at Journey Christian Church and became their Counseling Pastor. He said, “I wish I had done this sooner”. He truly loved counseling for Journey Christian Church.

Dave was an avid outdoorsman. Anyone who knew Dave for even a few minutes discovered he loved hunting and fishing. It was a passion handed down from his Dad and his Stepdad. It was his place of joy. The month of October was one step away from a perfect world for Dave. If you asked him why, he would say, because you can fish, hunt, camp, and so much more all in the same month! Several years in a row Dave managed to hunt every day in October. Stating, even if my legs hurt and my body is telling me don’t go, I’m going anyway. Dave loved camping, fishing, hunting with his wife, and children experiencing some great adventures into the boundary waters and at a family cabin near Ely. Dave’s favorite thing to do was to make breakfast for his family over his camp stove.

The time spent in the woods or on a lake with his hunting and fishing “buddies “or with his family were cherished moments for him!

Dave loved his family and was very proud of his two sons and his daughter. In later years he was blessed to add a son-in-law and 3 beautiful granddaughters to share the love of outdoor activities.

Dave expanded his hobbies in his 50’s and bought a Harley (his children were probably concerned about a midlife crisis!). He enjoyed riding and taking road trips with his wife and friends. It became something he loved almost as much as hunting and fishing. One evening out on a ride he said, “I could ride all night”. He was so at peace on his bike!

Dave faced hard battles in his life and was always transparent about them and willing to talk about them. One was overcoming a chemical addiction at age 19. Dave recently celebrated 50 years of sobriety. His sobriety birthday was more important to him than his actual birthday. His most recent battle and his last was with throat cancer. Dave lost his voice and for a man that used his voice often, this was a devastating loss. The last 6 years of his life were spent navigating through and fighting the results of cancer. Many losses came with this journey, but many amazing God moments were mixed in. Dave once said that maybe his cancer journey was a new ministry to help people understand loss, suffering and dying. Dave knew through it all, God had never left him or had forsaken him! (Deuteronomy 31:8). Dave never wavered in believing in a God who loved him with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), a God that had died on the cross for him (John 3:16) and a God that had prepared a place for him for eternity. (John 14:2-4).

Dave often said, “I want to finish strong in my faith”. There is no doubt that Dave fought hard in life, kept his faith, and finished strong,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7).

Dave is preceded in death by his father, Eugene Hall; mother, Beatrice Johnson; stepdad, Lloyd Johnson; and son, Carl Hall.

Dave is survived by his wife Grace; children Britta (Joe) Parpala, Eugene Hall, Austin Hall; grandchildren, Jayla, Aili, Anika Parpala; siblings, Nancy (David) Kocur and Jim Hall; and many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

Services for Dave will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Journey Christian Church (1400 Washington Avenue, Cloquet, MN. 55720), with visitation starting at 9:00 AM, followed by the funeral service at 11 AM. His final resting place will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet.

Cloquet 1969 Graduate
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Terry "Mouse" Roy
May 13, 1951 — June 5, 2026

Sturgeon Lake

Terry “Mouse” Floyd Roy, 75, Sturgeon Lake, died peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026 at his home surrounded by family and friends, listening to his favorite music. He was born on May 13, 1951 in Cloquet to Kenneth and Violet Roy. Terry grew up in Cloquet and graduated in 1969 from Cloquet High School where he was active in basketball and hockey. Terry attended Bemidji State University where he attained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work, participated in intramural sports, and was active in ANO (ATO) Bemidji State Fraternity. On March 6, 1976, Terry married Kathie Fournier in Oklee, MN. They worked for a group home in Argyle, MN for about a year. Terry had a 28-year career as a Social Worker for the Moose Lake State Hospital and MSOP, retiring in 2006. He had a great love for music, fishing, any sports, and being at the Prairie Lake cabin. One of the greatest enjoyments was watching his kids and grandkids participate in sporting events. He also played softball, broomball, and coached youth hockey through the years. Terry enjoyed annual fishing trips with his friends which created many memories and fun times. He was preceded in death by his parents: Kenneth and Violet Roy. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Kathie; three children: Shannon (Carl) Switzer of Cromwell; Travis Roy of Rosemount; and Trevor Roy of Sturgeon Lake; 7 grandchildren: Natalie, Macie, Averie, Charlie, Kelsie, Sophie, and Tristan; brothers: Dennis (Theresa) Roy of Cloquet and Jeff (Patti) Roy of Cloquet; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 4 pm to 6 pm on Friday, June 12, 2026 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake. A Time of Sharing will be held at 6 pm. Memorials can be made to the Bemidji State Alumni Fund or American Diabetes Association in Minnesota.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake

Class of 1985
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David Lee Johnson

September 12, 1966 – June 09, 2026
David (Bucky) Johnson passed away on June 9, 2026 at Hilltop Rehabilitation Center.

David graduated from Cloquet High School in 1985. After high school he worked several jobs before being hired by the State of Minnesota where he worked until his passing.

David loved traveling, all sports, his favorite being golf, spending time with his family and friends, especially his son Dillon.

David was preceded in death by mother Linda Johnson, and Dillon’s mom Rita.

He was survived by his Father David (Roberta) Johnson, the light of his life, son, Dillon; sister Dana (Kevin) Erkkila, Nephew Ryan Erkkila and family, Sam and Maya; and Niece Heather Erkkila.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at The Jack in Cloquet from 12pm – 3pm, 1016 Cloquet Ave, Cloquet, MN 55720. Please join us to celebrate Bucky’s life.

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Introducing a new Endowed Fund!
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The Davis Family Legacy of Giving

Roger and Shirley Davis moved to Cloquet from Superior in 1961. Roger worked as a meat cutter at the local Red Owl Grocery Store, located across from the Chief Theater, while Shirley devoted her early years to raising their four children before beginning a career in both the Cloquet and Esko school systems.

Roger and Shirley firmly believed in hard work, perseverance, and the value of a quality education. They viewed Cloquet High School as a launching pad to greater opportunities and a brighter future for their children.

In honor of their parents' values and commitment to education, the Davis family is proud to support the Cloquet Educational Foundation. Through their generosity, they hope to help continue building the strong educational foundation that all young people need as they begin life's journey and pursue their dreams.

Cloquet Graduate
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Faith A. Wood, 68 of Cloquet, Minnesota passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Essentia-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth. She was born November 6, 1957, in Cloquet, the daughter of LeRoy and Ellen (Vafias) Lane.

Faith grew up in Cloquet and was deeply rooted in the family-owned business, Cloquet Transit and LCS Coaches. She graduated from Cloquet High School and furthered her education attending Brainerd Community College and St. Scholastica obtaining her nursing degree. She worked as a registered nurse for St. Mary’s Hospital as an OB nurse and in hospice.

Faith was very dedicated to her profession, and it was evident in her nurturing love and care of her family as a mother and grandmother, as well as those she cared for. She enjoyed crocheting and was an avid antiquarian.

Faith was preceded in death by parents, LeRoy and Ellen Lane. She is survived by her sons, Anthony (Caitlyn) and Christian (Danielle Anderson) Wood; grandchildren, Aria and Rhea Wood; her siblings, Joy (Tom) Appell, Jeff (Sue) Lane, and Jack (Micki) Lane; and extended family and friends.

Services in honor of Faith will be held at New Life Community Church in Carlton, Minnesota. An evening visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The visitation will continue Thursday, June 4, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service. Lunch will follow. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cloquet. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet.

Class of 1961
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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Karen Lou Carlson, who passed away peacefully on May 21, 2026, at the age of 83, surrounded by her family.

Karen was the heart of our family—a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose kindness and strength touched everyone who knew her. She had a beautiful way of making people feel welcome, cared for, and deeply loved. Her laughter, wisdom, and spirit will be missed more than words can express.

Karen was a lifelong resident of Cloquet, MN. She was born to Clarence and Bernice Johnson on March 26, 1943. She graduated from Cloquet High School in 1961 and married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Carlson, on June 8, 1963. Throughout her life she devoted herself to her family and took pride in creating a warm and loving home. An avid quilter, crafter, and Skip-Bo player, she poured her creativity into everything she made. Her handmade quilts and treasured creations will remain lasting reminders of her talent, patience, and generous heart.

Karen was a longtime administrative assistant at Winterquist Elementary School in Esko, MN.

Whether through holiday gatherings, homemade meals, or simple everyday moments, she made life brighter for those around her.

She is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Gordon; her children, Sheri (Scott) Sorenson and Scott (Tamara) Carlson; grandchildren, Jared (Allison) Sorenson, Brooke (Cole) Heier, and Mackenzie (Caleb) Kirchhoff; two grandpups, Maggie and Remi; her brother, Dale (Katharine) Johnson; and many other family members and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.

Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the love and memories we will carry forever. She will always be deeply loved and never forgotten.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Aspirus St. Luke’s, especially Mandy, RN, and Marisa, Social Work Case Manager. Thank you for caring not only for Karen, but for all of us. Your kindness, patience, and compassion meant more than words can express.

A private family burial and celebration of life will be held at a later date.