Yvonne Vinje, 80, was born in Hayward, WI January 12, 1940 to Wilbur and Lila Wood. She died Thursday, October 22, 2020 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN. Yvonne was a Superior, WI resident for nineteen years. She attended Brainerd Public Schools graduating in 1958 and was Home Coming Queen. She married her high school sweetheart, William D. Vinje on September 26, 1959 and they were married for 42 years until Bill’s death in 2001. Yvonne and Bill lived in Brainerd and then moved to Esko to raise their family. She was passionate about her husband and family. They raised their five children and she supported Bill in his passion of building and establishing their family business, Halvor Lines, Inc. Yvonne enjoyed traveling, going on cruises, camping, and boating, especially to Isle Royale. She was a selfless, one-of-a-kind person, and will be remembered for her gentle heart and beautiful smile. Yvonne was non-judgmental and lived by the Golden Rule - treating others as you would want to be treated.



Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Berniece Vinje; husband; sister, Sharon Sargent; brother-in-law, Clarence “Punk” Vinje; and second husband, James H. Peterson in 2014. She is survived by her brother, Jim (Jodi) Wood of Fort Myers, FL; sister-in-law, Patricia (Jim) O’Toole, Tea, SD; brother-in-law, Edward Sargent of Stacy, MN; her five children, Sue Vinje of Superior, Joe (Tammy) Vinje of Duluth, Lori (Phil) Muir, Hallock, MN, Kimberly (Jay) Belcastro of Superior, and Jon (Shari) Vinje of Esko; and special friend, Ron Schrader of Brainerd, MN. Yvonne was also blessed with several grandchildren, Sean Vinje, Jason (Dani) Vinje, Ryan Fraley, Justin (Gretchen) Juntunen, Jordan Coughlin, Jenna (Michael) Barrett, Mollie (Isaac) Carrier, Madison Vinje, Mason Vinje, and Dylan Vinje; her great-grandchildren, Rowan, Otto, Sylvia, Jude, Axel, and Ridge; step-grandchildren, Justine (Dave) Koschak, Delaney (Dominic Pavlich) Belcastro, Abby Belcastro, Jami (Robert) Carr, Andrew (Leah) Muir, and Kaitlin (Austin) Cosley; step-great-grandchildren, Owen, Ashton, Brecken, Andie, Braxton, Audrey, Briggs, Rowan, Cutler, and Baron; and several nieces, nephews, and friends.



Yvonne will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Due to COVID-19 there will not be a funeral. A private family memorial and burial will be held in Brainerd, MN in June.

The family would like to thank the health care providers at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth, Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital and New Perspective in Superior, and Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. In addition, the family would like to thank Steve Elsmore from Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet for his support and care of our mother. Memorials can be made to the Solvay Hospice House at 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811.