Milton Wayne Reitan

On September 14, 2025, Milton Wayne Reitan passed away peacefully in Duluth, Minnesota at the age of ninety-six.

Milton was born in Halstad, Minnesota to parents Beatrice and George Reitan. He was preceded in death in March, 2025 by his wife, Gloria Vraa Reitan. He is survived by his son, Hugh, daughter-in-law, Cheryl Reitan, and their family: Brielle and Philip Stoyke (children Greta and Linnea Stokye). Milton is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Georgia and Erich Sawatzky; Milton's niece Suzanne Anderson, his nephew David Anderson, his sister-in-law Marilyn Knudson, his nieces Deb (Knudson) Lundbohm and Diane (Knudson) Tuseth and their families.

Milton grew up in Halstad, Minnesota. As a teenager, he had a summer job in the Roosevelt Lodge Kitchen in Yellowstone National Park, traveling back and forth from Minnesota on the train. After high school he joined the U.S. Marine Corp and was stationed on the island of Guam until his discharge in 1949.

He received a B.A. from Concordia College, Moorhead in 1952, and married Gloria Vraa the same year. The couple first worked in the Halstead school system, she as a teacher and Milton as the principal. He went on to receive an M.A. in English, and an M.A. in history, and a law degree from the University of Minnesota. He practiced law in Minneapolis and taught high school in Silver Bay, MN. After moving to Virginia, MN, he taught law, history and political science at the Mesabi Range Community and Technical College.

Family, friends, and students will remember Milton's knack for turning dry academic subjects into lively and compelling stories. The origin of Minnesota place names, Viking and Norweigan history, 18th-19th century sailing ships, naval wars, and the U.S. Civil War were favorite topics.

A memorial service will be held from 1-3 pm on Monday, September 22, 2025, at the Westwood Garden View Room, Benedictine Health Center, 925 Kenwood Ave. Duluth, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the "Reitan Travel, Learn, Grow" scholarship fund through the Office of Development at the University of Minnesota Duluth.