The Duluth Lakewalk is lined with memorial benches, each carrying the name of someone who loved this city. Families choose them as lasting tributes, keeping their loved ones connected to the place that meant so much.
Here, loved ones of the deceased have purchased a beautiful “memorial bench.” These special resting places serve as a remembrance of that person’s (or couple’s) life and legacy. They remain a solemn place for the living to pause and reflect.
Today, we explore a couple of the individuals whose legacies are commemorated with one of these benches, including prominent Duluth businessman Erwin Lewis Goldfine.
Emil & Margaret Jensen
Duluthians Emil “Squeak” and Margaret “Maggie” Jensen lived very full and active lives. Per Margaret’s obituary, published in the Duluth News Tribune, she was born in Allouez, Wisconsin, and was the daughter of Finnish immigrants.
She met many of her lifelong friends in the Canal Park neighborhood, where her father ran a Finnish coffeehouse. Swimming out to Whitney’s Folly was a fond childhood memory.
Margaret married Emil “Squeak” Jensen, of Duluth’s Park Point neighborhood, in 1933. They raised their two daughters in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood.
Margaret spent many years as a Girl Scout Leader, was active in Lester Park Methodist Church, and enjoyed her Birthday Clubs and AARP trips. She and Emil also loved to dance.
They made quite the pair as they waltzed across the dance floor at social gatherings. Maggie continued her love of dancing her entire life, attending monthly dances at the Rainbow Senior Center.
Margaret was the heart of her family and devoted her life to them. Friends described her as a truly remarkable woman, one of a kind, and full of SISU – a Finnish concept that embodies extraordinary determination, resilience, and courage in the face of adversity.
Dick and Anne Heys
Per his obituary, published in the Duluth News Tribune, Richard “Dick” Heys was born in Haslingden, England, on Nov. 7, 1913, the son of naturalized American citizens, Bertha and Richard Heys. He arrived in the United States with his mother on the Lusitania in January 1915.
He was raised in Fall River, Mass., and graduated from B.M.C. Durfee High School. At age 17, Dick got an appointment as an assistant messenger with the federal government in Washington, D.C.
During World War II, he served with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He retired as Director of Procurement for the Internal Revenue Service after 40 years of government service.
Dick was a member of Toastmasters and taught Red Cross first aid classes. He obtained his private pilot’s license after retirement. Dick and Anne traveled extensively, both domestically and abroad.
Dick and Anne lived in Arlington, Virginia, until the early 1970s. After retiring, they moved to Duluth, where they resided for over 30 years.
Dick and Anne moved to Georgia in 2006 to be near their daughter, Barbara. The couple has two daughters and many grandchildren.
At age 98, Dick passed peacefully at his residence in Cobb County on Friday, May 18, 2012.
Per her obituary, published in the Duluth News Tribune, Anne Heys was born in Duluth, July 24, 1915. She was raised in Duluth and graduated from Denfeld High School.
Following high school graduation, she attended Minnesota Civil Service School and was asked to teach at the school before she graduated. She received a government appointment in Washington, D.C. in 1937 as a stenographer for the Internal Revenue Service.
Anne loved being active and enjoyed softball, roller skating, bowling, bicycling, horseshoes, and gardening. In 1987, she attended the first National Senior Olympics – held in Saint Louis – and won a medal in women’s horseshoes. Anne and Richard enjoyed camping, boating, cross-country skiing, and attending over 30 Elderhostels.
Anne Heys, 98, passed peacefully at her residence in Cobb County on Friday, June 27, 2014.
Other Memorial Benches
Erwin Goldfine
Erwin Lewis Goldfine (1923-2002) was a prominent Duluth businessman and philanthropist. He was deeply involved in both the city’s economic development and its community organizations.
Born in Duluth on September 25, 1923, Goldfine was the son of Abraham and Fannie Goldfine. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1942 until 1945.
After the war, Goldfine joined the family business, which expanded into a general merchandise store and later a regional retailer. In 1962, they opened Goldfine’s by the Bridge, an early large-scale discount department store. The business was sold in 1971. In the late 1970s, Goldfine and his brother, Monnie, entered the hospitality industry, forming Zenith Management Company (ZMC Hotels).
In addition to his involvement with Goldfine’s and ZMC Hotels, Erwin Goldfine was involved in several other businesses, including:
- Goldfine’s Trading Post: The family’s initial business venture, which expanded from a cattle-buying operation into a general farm store.
- Expansion of Goldfine’s Stores: In the early 1970s, Goldfine’s stores expanded beyond Duluth, with locations in other Minnesota cities (Grand Rapids, Mankato, Willmar) and Iowa (Sioux City, Des Moines).
- Aerostich: Erwin’s brother, Monnie’s son, Andy Goldfine, founded Aerostich, a Duluth-based manufacturer of motorcycle clothing and accessories.
- Vista Fleet: Erwin Goldfine and his brother were also operating partners of the Vista Fleet harbor cruises.
- Other Holdings: Goldfine’s holdings included stakes in Manley Management, Manley Investment, and Northern Drug Co.
- Chattanooga Riverboat “Southern Belle”: Outside of Duluth, Mr. Goldfine owned the Chattanooga Riverboat “Southern Belle” and several other companies.
Community Involvement and Philanthropy
Goldfine was deeply involved in the Duluth community and was involved in dozens of community organizations. He was a founder of the Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau, a member of the Executive Committee of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Hillside Loafers.
He supported the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), serving as a University of Minnesota Regent for 12 years and playing a role in establishing the UMD School of Medicine. UMD later honored him with the namesake Goldfine Residence Hall.
Together with his wife, Beverly, Goldfine also established a special scholarship. The Beverly and Erwin Goldfine Scholarship for Academic Excellence at UMD recognizes students in good academic standing who rank in the top 5% of their class. The scholarship provides $1,500 to each recipient to be used for tuition.
Personal Life
Erwin Goldfine was married to his wife, Beverly, for 57 years until his death, and they had four children: Steve, John, Amy, and Dan. The Goldfines were also blessed with several grandchildren.
The Goldfines are well-known as one of Duluth’s most successful Jewish families. Erwin was a past President of Temple Emanuel Synagogue and the Duluth Jewish Federation, as well as a regional officer in B’nai Brith. He was also an active member of the Temple Israel congregation.
Erwin Goldfine passed away on December 25, 2002.
Poignant Resting Places
If you have the opportunity to stop for a rest on any of these lovely benches along the Lakewalk, perhaps you can take a moment to reflect on these special legacies. These individuals were all passionate about Duluth and left our city much better than they found it.
