Milford Mine Memorial Park near Wolford in Crow Wing County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Milford Miners Memorial

Bedard–Burns

Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025

1. Milford Miners Memorial Marker

Inscription.
Earl Bedard
1901 - 1924 Earl Bedard was born in Amasa, Michigan. He lost his mother at age two and was raised by his father and older sister. After graduating from high school he worked as a streetcar motorman in Iron River, Michigan before moving to the Cuyuna Range in 1922 to work at the Milford Mine. In September of 1923 Earl married Beatrice McMahon. They lived in Riverton for two months before moving to Crosby. Earl Bedard was 23 years old at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. He was laid to rest alongside his mother in Amasa, Michigan.

Mike Bizal
1886 - 1924 Mike Bizal was an experienced miner who was 58 years old when the Milford Mine flooded on February 5, 1924. Mike married Katherine Kyree. They owned a home in Manganese and also had property in Hibbing. Katherine was 45 years old at the time of Mike's death. Mike Bizal's funeral was arranged by the Santa Barbara Society, of which he was a member.

Oliver E. Burns
1885 - 1924 Oliver Burns was born in Staples, Minnesota. He married Nina Baker, who was from Motley, Minnesota, and they had one child, a daughter. The family had a home in Ironton and

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owned a forty-acre farm near Aitkin. Oliver was 39 years old at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. Nina was also 39, and their daughter was 7 years old. Oliver Burns was laid to rest in Staples, Minnesota.

Erected by Crow Wing County.

Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1924.

Location. 46° 32.098′ N, 93° 58.253′ W. Marker is near Wolford, Minnesota, in Crow Wing County. It is in Milford Mine Memorial Park. It can be reached from Milford Lake Drive. The marker is between trail intersections 2 and 4. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crosby MN 56441, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Milford Miners Memorial (closest, on left) in Milford Mine Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025

2. Milford Miners Memorial (closest, on left) in Milford Mine Memorial Park

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of the Forty One Miners (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolford.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.