Age 93 of St. Paul

Passed away on December 4, 2024 surrounded by her adoring family. Born July 1, 1931 to Eugene and Therese Le Claire, Joan attended St. Francis de Sales School in St. Paul and was a graduate of Monroe High School. On September 8, 1951, she married Jerome (Jerry) Mandel. The two cherished a 66-year marriage before his death in 2018.

Joan’s life was filled with family, friends and faith. She raised seven children and doted lovingly on her 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren until the day she passed. A loyal parishioner of the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul, Joan served faithfully and eagerly as a volunteer at the Church of Assumption and the Dorothy Day Shelter. What little free time her busy family life afforded her was filled with golf, downhill skiing, playing bridge and cooking—although there was rarely a recipe in sight. She followed many of Minnesota’s sports teams and enjoyed countless Hallmark movies. Joan was an engaging conversationalist and possessed an uncanny ability to connect with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Joan and Jerry loved to travel and passed that love on to their children through family road trips across the country. They vacationed internationally, as well as traveling to each of the 50 states.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Donald, Jeanne and Robert; her soulmate Jerry; and her humble and loving son James (Jim). She is survived by her children: Jodell Vidas, Jerome, Jr. (LuAnn), daughter-in-law Phyllis, Mary Walker (Chris), Mark (Keely), Gregory (Andrea), and Christopher (Jennifer); her grandchildren: Julie, Brian, Ashley, Andrew, Alexander, Lindsay, Michael, Laura, Mitchell, Michaela, Grace, Benjamin, Henry, Jack and Oliver; and her great-grandchildren: Katherine, Owen, Lauren, Addison, Blair, Isla, Sloane, Spencer, Wes, Lincoln, Lilah, Joseph, Raymond, Maxwell, Bodhi, Isaac and Joanie.

A Celebration of Life for Joan will be held in 2025. Please check back for updates. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan’s memory may be made to the Church of the Assumption (51 7th Street West, St. Paul) or the charity of your choice.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalms 23:5-6

Age 72 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away on December 12, 2024.

Preceded in death by parents, Lyle & Evelyn; wife, Fawn; brother, Terry; sister-in-law, Patti; niece, Julie and beloved dog, Bear.

Survived by brother, Ken (Betty); nieces and nephews, Debbie, Jeff, Kim and Dan; and first wife, Sharon and many loving family members and countless friends, many of them can be found at Applebee’s in Inver Grove Heights.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Age 70 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on December 9, 2024. Preceded in death by parents, Richard & Joyce Covelski; brother, Donald Covelski. Survived by daughter, Christina (Troy) Sumner; grandchildren, West, Brittany (Luke), Breanna, Naomi (Devin), Emma & Ian; 7 great-grandchildren; siblings, Nancy Hills, Sharon (Leonard) Guerrero, Danny & David (Marie) Covelski; also other family and friends.

Lora loved to spend time with her family and friends.  She was so proud of her yard and flowers.

Private family services will be held and a Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.

Age 87 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 7, 2024.

Preceded in death by daughter, Jennifer Jenniges; parents; 6 brothers & sisters.

Survived by loving wife of 65 years, Barbara; children, Linda (Bob) Anderson, Mark (Brenda), Alice (Steve) Scherbel & Matthew (Christie); 15 grandchildren, Luke Jenniges, Natalie (Dan) Lotts, Nick Jenniges, Nate (Justine) Anderson, Jayna (Adam) Wilcox, Greta Anderson, Cecilia (Rick) Denzer, Isaac Scherbel, Sarah (Nick) Schweich, John (Mia) Frid, Sam (Taylor) Frid, Teddy (Emma) Frid, Henry, Owen & Libby Frid; 12 great-grandchildren, Lydia, Elijah, Claire, Gabriel, Louie, Lucy, Van, Ralph, Valley, Leland, Isla, Jovie & 2 on the way; also other family & friends.

Bill had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh, fish, play cards, spend time with his grandchildren and to just be outside and enjoy the warm weather.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Thursday, December 19th, at Church of St. John Vianney, 840 19th Ave. N., South St. Paul. Visitation 9:00 -11:00 am prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.

Age 91.

Born August 15, 1933. Left this earth December 8^th, 2024. She was loved by many. Beloved sister, mother, grandma, great-grandma, aunt & friend.

Wilma is preceded in death by parents, Maynard & Mary Heffern; brothers, Marvin, Robert & Randall; children, Roxine & Robin; granddaughter, Sarah.

Survived by brother, Herb (Beverly) Heffern, children, Rick (Julie) Rieken, Rolly Rieken, Renea Kidd, Rachelle (Juan) Contreras & Reggie (Terri) Rieken; many grandchildren; great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and her Southside Baptist Church family where she spent many years.

Funeral Service 11:00 am Saturday, December 21^st, at Southside Baptist Church 5613 S. Robert Trail, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10:00 – 11:00 am prior to the service at church. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

Age 88 of South St. Paul

Passed away on December 5, 2024. Preceded in death by wife, Mary Jane; step son-in-law, Leonard Werner. Survived by brother, Patrick (Kim); sister, Candice (Dave) Bryant; step children, Nancy (Michael) Morris, Sandra Werner, Cheryl Werner; 6 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; also other family and friends.

Tom loved to visit and spend time with his family and friends.  His life was an inspiration we will carry with us.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am Monday, December 16^th, at Church of The Holy Trinity, 749 6th Avenue South, South St. Paul, MN 55075. Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery, Hastings. Memorials preferred to Smile Train.

Passed away on December 3, 2024.  Preceded in death by son, Mark; parents, John and Christina Fleck; sister, Vi Jordan.  Survived by husband of 68 years, Franklin; sons, David (Laurel) and Jimmy (Connie); granddaughters, Breanna and Madison Walden; great granddaughter, Aria and one on the way; also many other family and friends.

Mae was a volunteer for many causes including Woodwinds Hospital for many years and was very active in her church community. Mae very much enjoyed being an usher at the Xcel Energy Center for events but most of all loved to usher for the Minnesota Wild games. Mae looked forward to the Minnesota State Fair every year since she was 4 years old, many years going every day. She loved sharing this tradition with her family along with many other treasured traditions.

Private family services are being held. Memorials preferred to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights.

Age 68 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully on December 4, 2024. Preceded in death by parents, Norbert & Aldine; brother, Tom. Survived by siblings, Ed (Lori), Barb (Pete) Braun, Tammy (Steve) Baker; sister-in-law, Wendy; 3 nieces; 8 nephews; 11 great-nephews; 9 great-nieces; also other relatives & friends.

Roxane really loved her nieces, nephews and special cat, Sissy.

Memorial Service 6:00 PM Monday, December 9^th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights with visitation 4:00-6:00 PM prior to the service. Private interment. Memorials preferred to the family.

Age 84

Preceded in death by his brother, Wally Snyder; grandson, Hunter Aiden; parents, Bill and Bernie Snyder.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 56 years, Clarene; children, Steven (Tara) and Margaret Mary Dodge (Larry); 7 grandchildren; and siblings, Rick (Joann), Alan (Kathy), Paul, Mary Jo Thormelon (Rick), Julie Ann Kienitz (Bob), Shirley (Wally) Snyder.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Age 92 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away on November 27, 2024 at Lexington Pointe Senior Living in Eagan MN. She succumbed to cancer. Shirley was born on February 29,1932 in Schuyler County, Rushville, Illinois to Thomas J and Imogene (Johnson) Newell. She married Robert Eugene Draine on September 6, 1953. He passed away on February 9, 2014. Surviving are 2 children, Timothy E. (Cynthia) Draine, Susan Kay Draine (Jack) Skoog; grandchildren, Brian, Eric, Samilyn & Gracelyn Skoog, Stephanie Draine, Laurel (Scott) Stoneking; 4 great grandchildren; cousins, Rebecca Johnson (Don) Chinnici, K. Kent (Jan) Johnson.

Shirley graduated from Rushville High school, class of 1950, Western Illinois University for 2 yrs, then Passavant School of nursing to receive her Registered Nurse degree, class of 1955.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Uncle Kermit & Aunt Ruth Johnson and their daughter, Sharilyn Ritchie.

Shirley loved her family, friends and being a part of LIFE!

Celebration of Shirley’s life will be held Friday, December 6, 2:00 pm, Advent Methodist Church, 3945 Lexington Ave. So., Eagan, 55123 In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.