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Edmund “Ed” Francis Cease, 92, of Bagley, MN died on Wednesday, June 16, 1999 at the Clearwater County Memorial Hospital in Bagley, MN.
Edmund was born June 27, 1906 in Arco, MN (Lincoln County), the son of Edmund D. and Anna (Reynolds) Cease. He was raised and educated in the Arco-Ivanhoe-Canby area and moved with his family to Elma, Iowa moving to Bagley in 1920. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1926. He started working at the Neujahr Drug Store and Funeral Home in 1925, where he would work until 1930. He graduated from the University of Minnesota Mortuary Science Program in 1928, He married Florence Hanson on June 28, 1930 in Hills, MN. They lived in Bagley where he worked at the H.C. Peterson Hardware and Funeral Home as a funeral director until combining both funeral homes in 1942 under the name of Cease Funeral Home.
He was very involved in his community. He was a city councilman for 7 years and was elected mayor for a term in 1950. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and served as its president. He was a member of the Bagley Volunteer Fire Department and served as Fire Chief. During WW II, he was the Clearwater County chairman of the Red Cross. His church was a very important part of his life. He was church president and was chairman of the church building committee during the construction of Faith Lutheran. He provided ambulance service for the county from 1930 – 1965. He was elected Clearwater County Coroner and served in that position from 1940 – 1990.
He was a Clearwater County Memorial Hospital board member during the construction of the hospital and for the next 28 years. He was very active in the Minnesota Funeral Director’s Association, serving all the chairs, and was State President 1964 – 1965. He was extremely proud to be honored at the May 1999 MFDA convention as the oldest living Minnesota licensed Mortician. His son, Wayne, joined him as a partner in the funeral home in 1958. They expanded to Clearbrook and Gonvick. Later, four of his grandchildren joined the family business as they expanded to Bemidji, Park Rapids, Cass Lake, Nevis and Blackduck. He spent the last 40 winters in Tucson, AZ where he had many friends. He loved to do woodworking, fish and play cribbage. He had great passion for Golf. He was a charter member of the Twin Pines Golf Course serving on the board and helped build the golf course. His keen sense of wit, humility and humor will always help him to be remembered as a true gentleman.
Wayne E. Cease, 87, of Bagley, Minnesota died on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at his home in Bagley, Minnesota surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Bagley, Minnesota with a visitation one hour prior. A time of visitation will also be held the evening before on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley, MN. Interment will be held at Bagley City Cemetery in Bagley, MN. Military Honors will be accorded by the Irvin Blix American Legion Post # 16 of Bagley.
Wayne was born March 30, 1934 in Bagley, Minnesota, the son of Edmund and Florence (Hanson) Cease. He was raised and educated in Bagley graduating from Bagley High School in 1952. He was active as a trombonist in the marching band and later played with the University of Minnesota Marching Band. Wayne enlisted in the United States Army in 1953. He was stationed in Japan as a draftsman with occasional missions to Korea. He was honorably discharged after serving our country in 1955.
Wayne attended Concordia College in Moorhead, then studied Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1958. Wayne married Arlene B. Ellickson on a hot day on July 25, 1959 near Oklee, Minnesota at Valle Lutheran Church. They moved to Bagley and Wayne worked with his father at the Cease Funeral Home serving the northern part of Clearwater County in Clearbrook and Gonvick and then partnered with his father full-time in 1965. They also operated one of the first Clearwater County ambulance services until it was sold to Red Offerdahl. Wayne also served as Clearwater County Deputy Coroner with his father for over 50 years. His skills as a funeral director were unparalleled. Wayne was so proud of his kids and grandkids as some became third and fourth-generation funeral directors and joined the firm.
He loved being the general contractor in building six beautiful funeral homes. Wayne served as president of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association in 1992. Wayne was very community minded and involved in the early amateur boys hockey program in Bagley. He and several partners conceived and built what was then the Greensview Nursing Home in 1968 where he served as the first administrator until 1980. He was very involved with the Boy Scouts of America serving as scoutmaster and volunteered many hours of his time, later earning a Silver Beaver in honor of his service. He was also very active with state and local politics. Wayne instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of the outdoors through fishing, hunting, and camping. He loved Minnesota fishing openers and exploring northern Manitoba on fishing expeditions with friends and family.
Wayne loved to golf and helped found and develop along with many others what later would become Twin Pines Country Club. Wayne loved traveling with his wife Arlene on many adventures all over the world. Later, Wayne and Arlene enjoyed spending winters in Tucson, AZ. Wayne loved to spend time at his beloved cabin on upper Red Lake and hosted many get-togethers in his garage. Wayne enjoyed making jelly and jam from wild fruits he collected, including prickly pear cactus. Wayne was an able storyteller with a dry wit and a great sense of humor. Wayne was a member and a past president of Faith Lutheran Church, a past commander of the Irvin Blix American Legion Post # 16 of Bagley. Wayne along with others helped initiate the construction of the Clearwater County Veterans Memorial in downtown Bagley. He was a member of the Lions and Rotary clubs where he was past president in Bagley. Wayne was very involved in a Rotary district project called Latin American Rotary Aid (L.A.R.A). Wayne traveled to Santa Barbara, Honduras on 29 mission trips, helping to coordinate construction and health projects in the central mountain region of Honduras and developed many lasting friendships. Family was everything to him.
Kevin is a third generation funeral director working with the Cease Family Funeral Homes since 1984, living north of Bemidji with his wife and dogs. He has been involved in many community organizations over the years. He has also been involved in several theater and small film projects. His favorite role however has been acting as a husband and father to his beautiful, smart wife and two almost perfect children.
I grew up in a funeral service family and I always held great respect for the career my father and grandfather practiced. After entering college, I decided funeral service was also a career I wanted to pursue. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Mortuary Science, I accepted a full time job in funeral service at a funeral home in Virginia, MN. After working there for 2 years, I moved to Park Rapids, MN when we began building a new funeral home in 1986, where I am the manager. I am active in several local organizations and enjoy outdoor activities. My wife, Lori, and I have one child.
I was raised in Bagley, Minnesota and graduated from Bagley High School in 1986. I attended Concordia College in Moorhead and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1990. I attended the University of Minnesota Department of Mortuary Science, graduating with a Bchelors of Science degree in 1992. I worked at the Morris Nilson Funeral Home in Richfield, Minnesota before returning home to work at Cease Family Funeral Homes. In 1995, I became a part owner along with my dad - Wayne Cease and three of my four my brothers - Kevin, Kent and Kurt Cease.
I am married to Mark Bowman from Blackduck and we have been blessed with our children; Kara graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mortuary Science in 2022, and is working at a funeral home in Southern Minnesota. Kyle graduated from Bagley High School in 2022 and is doing his dream job, farming which he absolutely loves, and Kaden is 13 and a 8th grader at Bagley Jr. High School.
I am the past president and treasurer of the Bagley Rotary Club. I am a co-youth leader taking pride in Sunday School and Youth Group. I am also Deacon and on the church council at Clearwater Lutheran Church. My children keep my life busy with all their activities and their love.
My hobbies include scrapbooking, sewing, going for ranger rides, traveling, hunting and fishing. I enjoy spending time at the cabin at Upper Red Lake, spending time with friends and most importantly, being a mom, spending time with my children and husband.
We make our home in Solway, Minnesota.
Kurt was born and raised in Bagley, MN. He graduated from Bagley High School with his brothers Kent and Kory in 1980. He then earned degrees in Biology/Physics from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with his brother Kory, and Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota just behind his brothers Kevin and Kent. He has worked for Enga Memorial Chapels, Brenny Funeral Home, and Libbey Funeral Home in Minnesota. He also worked at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage. He has been managing the Cease Funeral Home in Blackduck, MN since 1996.
Kurt is married to Jill (Takes) and together they stay busy with their 4 children; Olivia, Connor, Ian, and Madelyn.
Kurt has been active in Blackduck trying to help the community thrive in several ways.
Kurt and his family are members of the Catholic Church. They stay active with sports, the out of doors and other undertakings.
I was raised in International Falls, Minnesota where my father owned and operated Cudmore Funeral Home for 42 years. After graduation from the Falls High School, I attended the University of Minnesota, Department of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1970.I served my internship at John Billman Funeral Service in Minneapolis. In 1972 I moved to Rochester and worked for the Macken Funeral Home for a short time moving to Perham in 1972 and worked for Schoeneberger Funeral Home. I moved to Bagley in 1976 to work for Ed and Wayne Cease at the Cease Funeral Home. I was a member of the Bagley Volunteer Fire Department for 17 years and served as Fire Chief for 14 years, EMT volunteer on the ambulance service and taught C.P.R. classes. I am past president of the Bagley Lions Club and Bagley Rotary Club. I served as treasurer for Ducks Unlimited for 10 years and served as president of Clearwater Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunter's Association. I am a member of the Koochiching Masonic Lodge of International Falls. I am past president of Faith Lutheran Church and am Past President of the Minnesota Funeral Directors Association.
I have served as Deputy Coroner/ Coroner Investigator for Clearwater County for over 40 years.I enjoy hunting,fishing and spending time at my cabin in the woods and at Upper Red Lake. I was united in marriage to Linda (Drellack) Arnold on April 9, 2011 in Bagley. Linda works as a courier at the the Sanford Bagley Medical Center in Bagley. I have four children, Kristin (Kirk) Willberg who lives in Bagley and teaches in Fosston, MN; Scott Cudmore, whose home base is Bagley and works construction in Stanley, North Dakota and Michelle Cudmore, who lives in Bagley, MN and is a registered nurse in the ICU at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN., and Michael (Kelly) O'shaughnessy who is a paramedic/ fire fighter in Newark, Del.I have six beautiful grandchildren, Hillary (Ryan) Paulson, Marryn, Kendra and Kailin Willberg,and Mari Kate and Brian O'Shaughnessy. I also have three step-children- Katie, Matt and Chris Arnold and four step- grandchildren- Logan and Landen Vettleson and twins- Levi and Loryn Vettleson. Linda and I live South of Bagley and north of Itasca State Park.
I am from Bagley,MN, graduating from Bagley High School in 1987. I attended Bemidji State University and graduated from the Mortuary Science Program at the University of Minnesota in 1991. I worked in Little Falls and Austin, Minnesota before returning to northern Minnesota to work for the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji in 1994. I got married in August of 2007 to Mike Morris and we live in Bemidji. I enjoy everything Northern Minnesota has to offer: fishing, 4-wheeling, hunting, snowmobiling, golfing and so much more.
I was born and raised right here in Bemidji, MN, graduating from Bemidji High School in 1994. I was lucky to be taught by a number of great science and biology teachers, starting in the 6th grade, and through high school, especially Mr. Dewenter, and Mr. Aalgard, which inspired me to continue my education in Biology. I attended Bemidji State University for two years, during which time I began working with the Cease family at the funeral home in Bemidji as an assistant. With that experience, and my classes in biology, and chemistry completed, I moved to Minneapolis, MN, and finished my education in the Program of Mortuary Science at the University of Minnesota in 1998. After graduating I accepted a job as a funeral director in Portland, OR, living and working there for four years. In 2002, I returned to Bemidji, to again work with the Cease Family in Bemidji, this time as a licensed funeral director. It's wonderful to be home, surrounded by friends and family.
John has worked as a funeral director in Crookston, Minnesota since 1992. He is very excited to join the staff at Cease Funeral Homes. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1986, he helped his older brother (also a funeral director) move to Anchorage, Alaska, where he became a licensed apprentice. Upon returning to Minnesota to complete his education, he met and married Sherry and they have been blessed with three children and two grandchildren. They are also blessed to be living on the family homestead on Gilstad Lake in Blackduck, Minnesota. He completed his education at the University of Minnesota. His position with the funeral homes is to go wherever he is needed. John is a member of Blackduck American Legion Post #372 in Blackduck, and has been very active in Ducks Unlimited, NWTF, and Deer Hunters banquets while he lived in Crookston.
A fourth generation funeral director, Allison graduated from the University of Minnesota in May of 2013 with her degree in Mortuary Science. She is very proud to be called to continue the noble service her family has been providing for the previous three generations.
Allison loves being in nature and enjoys the wonderful Minnesota outdoors. She also continues to pursue her interests in music, art, and theater. She lives near Pinewood with her husband, Chase Fleahman, and beloved dogs and cat.
My name is Barry Sollom I am a 1987 graduate of Bagley High School and a 1994 Graduate of the University of Minnesota, Department of Mortuary Science. After graduating from college, I moved to Alaska and worked at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage for two years before moving back to Minnesota, where I eventually took a job working at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.
In 2000, I got married to Marilou Johnson and then took some time off to raise our son Teddy. We received Teddy from the Marshal Islands, so he is a little island boy and I apologize to him every winter for taking him away from the sun and ocean, but he says it’s okay. Marilou passed away in April of 2003 due to pancreatic cancer, so it is just Teddy and me, but we manage.
I started working full time again in 2007, for the Cease Family Funeral Home and I operate as a float between all of the locations.
I enjoy time with my son, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, golf (Teddy pared # 2 at the country club twice last year at age 7), snowshoeing, and spending time with Family and friends.
Sadly, Barry suddenly passed away on January 17, 2011... we mourn his loss.
Obituary for Barry Sollom
Barry Alfred James Sollom, 41, of Bemidji died Monday, January 17, 2011 at his home.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 am Saturday, January 22, 2011 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji. Visitation will be from 5- 8pm Friday at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, MN.
Barry was born May 19, 1969 in Greenbush, Minnesota, the son of Ralph and Karen (Anderson) Sollom. He graduated from Bagley High School in 1987. He graduated from the University of Minnesota’s Mortuary Science program in 1994. After graduating from college, he moved to Alaska and worked at the Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage for 2 years, before moving back to Minnesot, where he eventually took a job working at the David Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. It was in Detroit Lakes that he met and fell in love with his soul mate, Dr. Marilou Pechacek Johnson. They were married at their home on Detroit Lake on May 20, 2000. Their family was complete when Theodore Robert Sollom joined their lives on July 21, 2001 at the age of three months from the Marshall Islands. In July 2002, Marilou, Barry, and Teddy moved to International Falls, MN where she worked at St. Mary’s Duluth Clinic until she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November 2002, and died April 26, 2003. Barry and Teddy moved to Bemidji in 2004, where he joined the Cease Family Funeral Homes in 2007 as a funeral director working in all their locations. Barry was a compassionate funeral director who cared deeply about the families he served. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and spending time with his family and friends, especially his son Teddy.
Barry is survived by his son: Teddy Sollom of Bemidji
parents: Ralph and Karen Sollom of Bemidji, MN
his sister: Paula (Todd) Flom of Prior Lake, MN
his aunt: Vicki (Gary) Gernhardt of LaPlata, Maryland
his uncle: Mike (Don Hubbs) Sollom of Ashville, North Carolina
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his wife Dr. Marilou Sollom, his cousin Dr. Seli Gernhardt, aunt Ramona and uncles Clayton, Stanton and Richard.