Floyd James Littler, age 93, of Babbitt, passed away peacefully after a brief illness, on Sunday, February 23, 2025, surrounded by his family at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth, Minnesota. Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Ely, Minnesota, on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Corey Larsen will be officiating. Burial will take place at Argo Cemetery in Babbitt in May of 2025.
Floyd was born on July 9, 1931, in Cass Lake, Minnesota, to John and Gladys (Clapp) Littler. Floyd grew up on the farm with his 10 siblings. As a teenager, Floyd worked on the farm and in the woods with his dad. He went to school at the little schoolhouse near his home.
As a young man, Floyd met the love of his life, Donna Marie Church. They married on May 10, 1952. Floyd joined the army not long after they married. After basic training, Floyd was stationed in Boston with Donna and baby Keith soon joining him.
Once Floyd's time in the service was up, they returned to Cass Lake. Floyd and Donna moved to Babbitt in 1955, where they added two more children to their family. Floyd worked at Reserve Mining Company as an electrician apprentice and then later as an electrician until its closing in July 1986. Floyd then worked at LTV as a boiler operator until his retirement in 1996. As a retiree, Floyd filled his time helping in his son Karl's business and working in his garden. He had a green thumb and the bounty he harvested was truth to that.
Floyd was one of the kindest, gentlest men you could ever meet. He had a good sense of humor, he was honest, and loyal to a fault. His family meant everything to him, and he meant everything to his family. He came from a generation of hard-working men; his work ethic was unmatched. In all his work history, Floyd missed one day of work and that was for his dad's funeral in 1969. He was so patient and always ready to lend a helping hand. Floyd was so supportive of everyone in his family, and we know he was our biggest champion!
Floyd is survived by his son, Karl (Kathy) Littler; daughter, Diane (Orrin) Johannessohn; his sisters, Charlotte (Burdette Peterson) Jackson, and Gladys Jensen; and brother, Clifford Littler; 11 grandchildren: Kate (Doug) VanVickle, Mariah (Jose) Solis, Matt (Bekah) Littler, Andy (Michelle) Littler, Jake Littler, Kayla (Matt) Djonne, Stacie (Josh Biegler) Littler, Wes Johannessohn, Arthur (Katie) Johannessohn, Melina Johannessohn, James (April) Johannessohn; 17 great-grandchildren: Taylor, Madi, Caleb, Hanna, Ronan, Sofia, Onyx, Lily, Isaiah, Ella, Jayden, Eli, Josh, Jessa, Nora, Lilah, and Noah; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Floyd was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Donna Littler; son, Keith Littler; granddaughter, Jessica Littler; his parents; sisters: Bernice Tardy, Beatrice Kolkin, Vera Cooper, and Vona Tardy, and brothers: Roy Littler, Vernon Littler, and Johnny Littler.
Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home in Virginia, Minnesota. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit
www.rangefuneralhomes.com.Published by The Ely Echo from Feb. 25 to Mar. 3, 2025.