BEMIDJI — Professor and artist Marlon Davidson passed away at age 88 last week. Marlon was born in Deer River, MN, but his family moved to Grand Rapids, where he graduated high school.
He attended BSU where he met his life partner Don Knudson. They moved to St Paul in 1959 but returned to Bemidji in 1987. Marlon taught as an adjunct and fixed term instructor in the visual arts department in Bemidji.
Marlon retired in 2006 and devoted his time to writing and making art, often with his partner Don. Their collaborations are in public and private collections across the US and in Europe.
After a 61-year partnership, Marlon and Don were united in marriage on Thanksgiving Day 2019. Marlon said, “I got what I wanted in life, someone to love, a safe and happy home, and the freedom to make art.”
"He was a lovely, sweet man, but he was no pushover. He was a serious artist and he knew what he wanted and he said what he wanted all his life and he told us what he wanted... he was a great personal kind of influence," Mitch Blessing said during the KAXE Morning Show.
Listen to our conversation with Mitch Blessing above along with Marlon's appearance with Don on "Call of the Wild."
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Contributed/Adriana TrigianiBestselling author Adriana Trigiani joined KAXE to talk family, libraries, her Iron Range Italian roots and her new novel, "The View from Lake Como." -
Contributed/Votsis Panagiotis via PexelsLast week, we shifted into soup mode and finding comfort in our favorite foods that signal fall. -
Contributed/Chelsea PuscPlans are forming for a dog park in Deer River. Chelsea Pusc is leading efforts to raise funds, including a brunch 9 a.m-1 p.m. Oct. 19, 2025, at the Deer River Vets Club. -
Events this week include trunk or treats in Hibbing, Turtle River and Grand Rapids; Hwy. 197 open house in Bemidji and a health fair in Park Rapids. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 14, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer explores the North Shore near Grand Marais. -
KAXE's "Ham Radio" host, cookbook author and James Beard award-winning Amy Thielen weighs in on sloppy Joes, fall harvests and recipes in Northern Minnesota.
