Barbara Schultes, 77, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Jan. 28, 2012, at Lakewood Health System, Staples. She was born to Grant and Mary Carr in Manchester, Missouri, on Sept. 11, 1934. She loved watching the birds and working in her garden on warm, sunny days.

Carl Jepperson Jr., 75, of Pine River, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at his home. He was born in Pequot Lakes to Carl and Frances Jepperson on Aug. 16, 1936. Carl owned and operated the Long Pine Store for 27 years and Long Pine Excavating for 24 years. He founded the Ponto Knight Riders Snowmobile Club and was responsible for getting the Aspen Trail built. He also groomed several snowmobile trails.

Laura Arvilla Viergutz, Pine River, was born Oct. 20, 1918, to Benjamin and Nancy (Hennigar) Chase in Inman Township, rural Deer Creek, Minnesota.

Loren D. Simmons, 93, of Pine River, passed away Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at Carefree Living in Brainerd. He was born to Edward and Olive (Dunn) Simmons on Oct. 3, 1918, in Little Falls, Minnesota. He married B. Elaine McConnell on Aug. 30, 1946. They moved to Pine River in 1968, where he resided until the time of his death.ÊÊÊ

Jerry Crone, 66, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012, at Glendive Medical Center in Glendive, Montana.