Month: December 2024

Jeanne Brekken, 85, of Crookston passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. Jeanne was born at St. Vincent Hospital in Crookston, MN on November 7, 1939 – the third of four children born to Philip and Mayme Fournier Dufault. She grew up on their family farm NE of Gentilly, MN and attended Cripple Creek Country School in rural Gentilly and St. Joseph’s Academy in Crookston, graduating in 1957. After graduation, she worked at the ASCS office located on the upper level of the Crookston Post Office, and then in the bookkeeping department at Polk County State Bank.

In 1958, she married Lyle Brekken at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Together they lived in Crookston for two years before moving to the farm south of Crookston. There they raised four children – Janelle, Robin, Scott, and Jon. In 1991, Jeanne & Lyle moved to Crookston and lived there until 1999 when they moved to Maple Lake near Mentor. Lyle passed away in 2010; Jeanne moved back to Crookston in 2012. She also spent many winters in Mesa, AZ in her retirement years.

Jeanne had a strong faith and volunteered many hours at various Cathedral Church functions. She was a homemaker, avid gardener, amazing cook & baker, devoted hockey mom who traveled far & wide to watch her kids play hockey (all over MN, along with trips to Michigan, New York, Finland, and Russia), enjoyed walking, golfing, playing cards, listening to music, and dancing. Jeanne was a loving, patient, and giving mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved spending time with her friends and family – attending as many of her grandchildren’s activities as she could. 

Jeanne is survived by children Janelle Hegrenes of Chanhassen MN, Robin (Karen) Brekken of Crookston, Scott (Jennifer) Brekken of Orono MN, and Jon (Renee) Brekken of Lakeville MN; 9 grandchildren, Nick Brekken, Ben (Laura) Brekken, Annie Mosiman (Matt), Karson Hegrenes, Natalie Brekken, Aaron Brekken, Karlie Deane (Max), Kayla Brekken, and Kendra Brekken: 4 great grandchildren, Beau Brekken, Bella Brekken, Jameson Brekken, and Henry Brekken. She also leaves one sister, JoAnne Tria of Heyworth, IL, and brother, Mike (Carol) Dufault of Crookston, and many nieces and nephews. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, her parents Philip & Mayme Dufault, and brother Richard Dufault. 

In lieu of flowers the family would welcome memorials to the following:

Riverview Foundation (www.riverviewhealth.org/foundation/donate-now/) in Crookston

Benedictine Living Community (www.benedictineliving.org/donate/) in Crookston

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (www.crookstoncathedral.com/give) in Crookston.

The family would like to thank Riverview Health and the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston for the care Jeanne received over the last few months.

The post Jeanne Brekken- OBIT first appeared on KROX.

Oakley Matthew Hanson was born on December 12, 2024, and sadly passed away shortly after on December 13, 2024.  He was born to Jacob and Isabella (Overgaard) Hanson, who will carry him in their hearts for the rest of their lives.  They are deeply saddened by this loss and will hold a private family service at a later date.  

The post Oakley Matthew Hanson- OBIT first appeared on KROX.

Richard David Brouillard, 88, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully at the Villa St. Vincent on Thursday, December 12, 2024.  He was born the first of thirteen children in Crookston on February 9, 1936, to beloved parents Vital and Florence (St. Marie) Brouillard. 

Growing up, Richard attended St. Joseph Academy before transitioning to Cathedral High School from which he earned his graduation certificate with the class of 1959.  Before finishing high school, Richard joined the Navy in 1954 and served until 1958, from there he was placed on “Inactive Duty” status until 1962.  During his time in the Navy, Richard proudly served on the USS Wedder Burn (DD 684) and the USS Hanna (DE 449).  Before being honorably discharged in 1962, Richard was presented with a Good Conduct Medal.  One of Richard’s greatest privileges in his life was taking the Honor Flight in 2018 to Washington D.C.

On December 30, 1993, Richard married the love of his life, Elizabeth Conway, at the Cathedral in Crookston, which the couple became lifelong members of.  The two spent many happy decades together before Elizabeth sadly passed away in 2012.  Throughout his young life, Richard worked for a variety of employers to support himself until he ventured out to begin his own business in 1969, which he operated until his retirement in 2003. 

Richard loved working for himself, he loved his wife, and he also loved his community and helping others whenever he could.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Boy Scout’s of America (of which he was incredibly proud of), the Minneapolis Civil Defence Fire Rescue Reserve, the Crookston Volunteer Fire Department for fifteen years, and the American Legion Post 0020.  Throughout his service, Richard was honored many times, such as with the Boy scouts of America which presented him with several awards.  He was also recognized for his service as a volunteer firefighter. 

Other loves of Richard’s were hunting, fishing, camping and wood working.  During the 88 years he was blessed with life, Richard built an incredible life filled with service, love, friendship, integrity, and honor.  He was a man of great respect and kindness for everyone he met.  He will be deeply missed by the community, his family, and his friends. 

Richard his survived by his step-children, Dee (Shane) Sperling, of Crookston, Tim (Charlie Altieri) Conway, of Hyannis, MA, and James (Lori) Conway, of Moorhead, MN; Grandchildren:  Nicole, Natalie, Nadine, Nerissa, Kirby, Cassidey, Ashley, Andrew, and Tyler; 16 Great-Grandchildren; and 2 Great-great Grandchildren; brothers and sisters:  Robert (Billie) Brouillard, Lloyd (Carol) Brouillard, Mary Beth (Dave) McDonald, John Brouillard, Madeline Parks, and Dan (Lori) Brouillard; 2 sisters-in-law, Pat Brouillard and Fran Brouillard; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Brouillard; parents, Vital and Florence Brouillard; brothers, Donald, Michael, and James Brouillard; sister-in-law, Karen Brouillard; and a brother-in-law, Leo Parks. 

May God Bless the memory of Richard David Brouillard. 

The Memorial service to honor Richard’s life will be on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 2:00 PM, at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Crookston.  Visitation with the family will be held one-hour prior to Mass.  Services will be livestreamed, the link to which can be found by going to www.stenshoelhouske.com/obituaries and following the prompts. 

The post Richard David Brouillard- OBIT first appeared on KROX.