Age 36 of Minneapolis

Passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2018. Preceded in death by grandparents, Donald & Edna Woodard; uncle, William Woodard. Survived by husband, Sean; mother, Audrey McWhite; siblings, Jeremy McWhite, Holly (Joe) Ward & Ryan McWhite; niece & nephews, Cameron, Amelia & Jack; also many other family & friends. Heather loved MN sports, camping, shopping and anything chocolate. She leaves behind many beloved family and friends who will always remember her love of butterflies and the color purple. We will all greatly miss her contagious giggle, competitive nature, selflessness, and big heart. Heaven gained a beautiful angel to watch over us all. Memorial Service 11 AM Thursday, January 18^th, at Hosanna Church, 9600 163^rd St., (Door 5), Lakeville. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service.

(Nee Bertrand)

Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away on January 9, 2018. Preceded in death by great-grandson, Austin James Friesz & niece, Aime`e Kurysh. Survived by loving husband of 58 years, Jerry; children Cindy, Shelly McPhillips (Robert Zilla), Tony (Kari), Lisa (Kevin) Solberg; grandchildren, Tonya, Brandon (Danielle), Jordan (Jenny), Crystal (Justin), Kara (Brooks), Whitley, Brook, Joshua, Jerod, Antonio, Angelo, Lisa; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Charlotte, Nolan, Deanna, Ethan & Adler; sisters, Corinne (Tom) Kurysh & Kathy (Dave) Fletcher; also many relatives and friends. Bernie enjoyed traveling, playing board games, bowling and watching her MN Vikings. She especially enjoyed spending time with her sisters on bonding trips.  Bernie loved being surrounded by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Visitation 10 am – 2 pm on Sunday, January 14, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.  In honor of Bernadine’s dedication to the MN Vikings, feel free to wear your purple or Vikings apparel. Mass of Christian Burial 11 am Monday, January 15, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72^nd St. Inver Grove Heights. Viewing from 10 am – 11 am prior to the 11 am Mass.  Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.

Age 89 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away on January 7, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Born September 19, 1928 in St. Paul, Jerome (Jerry) was a graduate of Monroe High School and the College of St. Thomas. On September 8, 1951, he married Joan LeClaire. The two cherished a 66-year marriage, raising 7 kids, and doting on 15 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A dedicated family man, Jerry provided for his family working at American Hoist & Derrick and Waterous Company, where he finished his career as the company’s president. Jerry was a faithful student of the stock market, spending hours in his office analyzing the exchange and tracking his gains and losses. In his retirement, he became enamored with jigsaw puzzles, lining the walls of his office with completed puzzles and eager to tell you the story behind each one of them. He prided himself in completing the hardest of puzzles and would even create a replacement puzzle piece if one was missing.

Throughout his life, Jerry completed countless outdoor projects, often helping his kids build their decks, re-roof their homes, landscape their yards, or whatever else they needed. He was a longtime member at both the St. Paul Athletic Club (where he was the 1967 Class A handball champion) and the St. Paul Club.

Jerry loved to travel with Joan and passed that love on to his children through family road trips across the country. He and Joan vacationed internationally, as well as traveling to each of the 50 states. Later in life, Jerry relished his winter vacations to Orlando to soak up the sun, read lots of books, and, of course, visit Disney World with his grandchildren.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, 7 of his 9 siblings, and his son James (Jim). He is survived by his loving wife, Joan, his children: Jodell Vidas, Jerome, Jr. (LuAnn), daughter-in-law Phyllis, Mary Walker (Chris); Mark (Keely), Gregory (Andrea), and Christopher (Jennifer), his grandchildren: Julie, Brian, Ashley, Andrew, Alexander, Lindsay, Michael, Laura, Mitchell, Michaela, Grace, Benjamin, Henry, Jack, and Oliver, his great-grandchildren: Katherine, Owen, Addison, Blair, Sloane, Spencer, Lincoln, and Joseph. He is also survived by his brother William and sister Cecilia Lay.

Visitation will be on Friday January 12 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Roberts Funeral & Cremation Center; 8108 Barbara Avenue; Inver Grove Heights. Funeral services will be Saturday January 13 at 10:00 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Church of the Assumption; 51 West 7th Street; St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.” John 11:25

Age 35 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away unexpectedly on January 3, 2018. Preceded in death by grandpa, William Schmidt. Survived by loving parents, Jeff & Deb; sisters, Emily (Adam) Natrop and Lydia Nass; grandparents, Frank & Connie Dambowy, Bernie & Loella Nass; also many aunts, uncles, cousins & friends. Kate was a beautiful, kindhearted, compassionate, lovely woman who had the biggest heart and gave the best hugs. The world was made brighter by her smile, her singing and her delightful personality. To Kate everyone was “family”. Memorial Service 11 am Thursday, January 11th at Inver Hills Church, 8265 Babcock Trail, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9-11 am prior to the service.

Age 81

Born May of 1936 to parents Adolf & Alice Shogren and big brother Ruben. Raised on a farm near Grantsburg, WI she attended Grantsburg schools until graduation in 1954. She only missed one day of school on Senior Skip Day.  She was active in 4H, American Legion and an accordion player. Marie met husband George Pistulka at The Bridge Dance Hall and married in May 1959 settling in the St. Paul-Inver Grove area. They enjoyed going to the various dance halls of the time to dance mostly polkas. Marie also enjoyed baking, was excellent with a crochet hook making everything from doilies to hot pads, hats and afghan blankets. She also enjoyed the flower gardens and local song birds.

Always caring for veterans Marie was a lifetime member of VFW Post 295 and volunteered for many activities, fish fry set-up and prep, bingo at the Vets Home and Welcome Center at the airport are just a few.

Marie worked at Masters until their closing and moved onto work at Pearson’s Candy until retirement in 1999. After retirement she cared for her grandchildren after school, visiting friends and volunteering for the VFW. Marie’s physical and then mental abilities gradually declined, eventually bringing her to live at Southview Acres for her last few years. Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Adolph Shogren; brother, Ruben; husband, George Pistulka; sisters-in-law, Gladys (Pistulka) Carlson and husband Milo, Ruby (Pistulka) Kath; brother-in-law and wife, Herb (Lydia) Pistulka. Survived by son, Randy (Danette) Pistulka; daughter, Charlotte (Donald) Carey; grandsons, Jon Carey and Jared Pistulka; granddaughters, Amanda Carey and Rebecca Pistulka; sister-in-law, Donna Shogren; brother-in-law, Lester Kath; also many nieces and nephews.

Marie joined her beloved husband, parents and brother on January 3, 2018. VFW Auxiliary Ritual and Memorial Service 12 Noon, Monday, January 8^th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7500 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 11 AM – 12 Noon prior to the service.  Luncheon will be served at SSP VFW Post 295, 111 Concord Exchange So., South St. Paul. Interment will be with George at Fort Snelling National Cemetery immediately following the service.

Age 70 of Inver Grove Heights MN, formerly of South Saint Paul, MN

Died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Friday, December 22, 2017 at the Minneapolis VA Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.

Ron was born on August 24, 1947 in Worthington, MN.  He later moved to the Twin Cities area in 1959 and graduated from Alexander Ramsey High School in 1965.  Ron honorably served his country as a Navy Seabee (Construction Battalion) from August 8, 1966 to July 29, 1968.  After returning home he married his wonderful wife, MaryAnn Nauer, on December 7, 1968.

Throughout his work career Ron worked in purchasing and operations management.  He retired in 2005.  MaryAnn and Ron spent the next few years traveling coast to coast in their RV and just having fun.  It was a very exciting and happy time for them!

As a father and grandfather, Ron dedicated himself to his children and grandchildren.  Whether it be volunteering at school or in the various sports programs he was involved with…Ron was there!  When his grandchildren, Sheadon, Nolan and Daniela were old enough to participate in activities, regardless of whether it be hockey, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, football or basketball, Ron (or as his grandkids affectionately called him “Grumpa”) was there!

The delight of Ron’s life in the most recent years were his grandchildren, Sheadon, Nolan and Dani.  His goal was to never miss a game in which they were participating.  Upon returning home from his prior extended stay at the VA Hospital, Ron said, “…if there is a game that one of my grandchildren are in, I want to be there.”

Ron attended his last game on Friday, December 15^th, where he watched his goalie, Nolan, play hockey.  On Saturday, December 16^th Ron returned to the VA Hospital for the final time.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife, MaryAnn, two sons; Theron (Jessica) von Behren of South St. Paul, MN, and David von Behren of St. Paul, MN; sister Nancy (Chris) Doan; and three grandchildren, Sheadon, Nolan and Daniela.

Memorial service will take place Thursday, December 28 at 1:00 pm; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, West St. Paul, MN; with a time of gathering at 12:30 pm. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will take place at a later date.