Beltz, Carol W.
Passed away peacefully June 3, 2024. Born October 7, 1933. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Frieda Janke; children, Julie and Thomas; grandson, Kevin. Survived by her loving husband for over 70 years, Bruce T.; children, SherryLee Jones, Bruce R. (Beth), Vickie, Jeanne (Craig) Kuhn and Terrence; 13 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 10 am – 12 noon, Saturday, June 8th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. A family graveside service will be held at 2 pm in the Glencoe Cemetery, Glencoe, MN.
Ricker. Thomas U.
Age 79 of Inver Grove Heights
Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 22, 2024, after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Preceded in death by parents, Viola & Urban Ricker. Survived by wife, Mary; sons, Tony (Lisa) & Vinny (Amy); grandchildren, Henry, Tommy, Joseph, Mae, Elise & Mary; brother, Mark.
We would like to recognize and thank Inver Glen Memory Care staff for the hard work and love they showed Tom during his year stay at Inver Glen.
We would also like to thank his many lifelong friends who stood by and supported Tom during his battle with Alzheimer’s. Their presence and support were a great comfort to Tom and family.
A Celebration of Tom’s Life will take place on Thursday June 6th, at Southview Country Club, 239 Mendota Rd., West St. Paul starting with a 12:00 noon visitation, 1:00 pm Memorial Service and a reception to follow. Memorials preferred to The South St. Paul Educational Foundation or Sharing and Caring Hands.
Bromley, Patricia A.
Age 90 of Inver Grove Heights
Passed away on May 26, 2024. Preceded in death by husbands, Ray & Roy; daughter, Jayne; son, Jim; daughter-in law, Margaret; parents, Steve & Adeline Rhody; 5 brothers and one sister; step-daughter, Connie. Survived by sons, Greg (Julie), Jeff & Bob Steffen; grandsons, Todd, Kyle & Mike; step-daughter, Delores (Doug) Schaffer and families; sister, Mary Anderberg; also nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am Saturday, June 1st, at The Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd, St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:30-10:30 am prior to Mass. Luncheon to follow. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.
Francis A.”Frank” Zywiec
Age 79 of Hastings. Passed away on May 13, 2024. Preceded in death by his daughter, Dana Marie; brothers, Robert and Richard Zywiec; parents, Frank Sr. and Eva Zywiec. Survived by son, Brian; sister, Barbara Johnson; brothers, Jim and Joe Zywiec (Nora). Private Family Service.
Martinez, Isabel
Passed away on May 11, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.
Funeral services on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia, 140 6th Avenue No., South St. Paul, MN.
Grabowski, Robert Anthony “Bob”
Age 98 of Rosemount, MN
Bob was born November 23, 1925 in St. Paul, MN and was raised in Minneapolis, MN. Over the years he lived in Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Cannon Falls and Rosemount, Minnesota. Bob passed away peacefully at Suites Living in Inver Grove Heights on May 9, 2024 where he resided the past 5 months.
Preceded in death by his parents and siblings; his wife, Annamarie; son Mark and daughter, Marijo. He is survived by daughter, Marcia (Roger) Melde; sons, Michael (Joyce) & Mickey (Gwen); son-in-law, Bud Brand and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bob worked as a plumber his entire life and was a member of Local 034. He enjoyed working in his yard and garden for many years, puttering and tinkering on this and that, traveling by air, car or RV. Mostly, he enjoyed visiting and spending time with family. Teasing, joking, and laughing with family made him smile the most. He lived a long life and was blessed with a strong memory, and great sense of humor right to the end. He showed grace and gratefulness to everyone who cared for him and helped him remain in his own home into his late 90’s. A special thank you to those many care givers who touched his life along the way.
A private family graveside Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held this summer. Bob will be laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery alongside his wife and son.
Stevens, Kelley L.
Age 64, of South St. Paul
Sadly, left us on March 26, 2024, after she fought a long and courageous battle with Ovarian Cancer. Kelley is preceded in death by husband Jim Schintz and grandson Javon Simmons. She is survived by son, Joshua (Courtney) Biebinger and daughter, Fawn Dussault (Brandon), grandchildren, Gwendlyn, Harmony, Kaynen, Max, and Hannah; also, her two beloved pets Bliss and Lulu.
Kelley was a long time employee for Allina at United Hospital, Xcel Energy Center and ASIA Security. Her love of the ocean brought her to Mexico many times. One of her favorite activities was riding on the back of the Harley and feeling free. She loved gardening, her pool, cooking, hosting parties, and creating fun memories with friends and family.
Kelley was a true WARRIOR! She had a great attitude towards her illness and treatments. She was a very kind, brave, strong-willed woman and was a loyal friend, who will be missed by all who truly knew her.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 15th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:00 am -10:00 am, followed by a service at 10:00 am. Private interment.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial in Kelley’s name to: St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital or Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance (MOCA).
Friesen, Lynn M.
Age 63 of South St. Paul
Received her heavenly wings on May 10, 2024. Preceded in death by father, Richard; brother, Robert; brother-in-law, Michael Somes. Survived by loving mother, Jane; siblings, Joan Somes, Carol (Aubrey) Schroeder, Deb (Bob) Griffith, Tom, Chris and Ken; nieces and nephews, Erin, Patrick, Lauren and Ryan; also many other family and friends. Lynn loved singing at St. John Vianney Church; now she is singing in the choir of Angels in Heaven. Mass of Christian Burial 11 am. Friday, May 17th, at the Church of St. John Vianney, 840 19th, Ave. N., South St. Paul. Visitation 10 – 11 am prior to Mass at church. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred.
Olson, Charles Ellsworth
Charles Ellsworth Olson was born on September 23rd, 1938 in Starbuck, MN, passed away on May 5th, 2024. He was 85. Charles married Lois Kathleen (Anderson) Olson on May 24, 1958. They were life-long members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Inver Grove Heights, MN, where they raised five children.
Charles loved fishing, hunting, and his family. He enjoyed family gatherings and good conversations with friends. Charles served in the Minnesota National Guard and was a proud member of the United Auto Workers Union. After 30 years, Charles retired from the Ford Motor Company in St. Paul, MN, but couldn’t sit still. He worked parking security for many years at Simley High School, where students and staff alike enjoyed his Mr. Potato Heads greeting them from his rear window.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife, Lois Kathleen (Anderson) Olson, parents, Chester and Esther (Pederson) Olson, and his brothers, Bob (Terry Glassing) and David (LuAnn) Olson.
He left behind his children, Cynthia (Scott) Welsh, Joan (Patrick) Siedow, Paula Bastian, Ross (Amie) Olson, and Melissa (Amanda Cerne) Olson, 15 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as his siblings, Beverly (Kenneth) Fischer, Sandy (Kenneth) Hoff, Sanford (Clara) Olson, Janet (Richard) Lundebrek, Ruth (Don) Schwanke, Neil Olson & Naomi (Fred) Anderson and many friends.
A Celebration of Charles Life will be held on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024 at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd Street, Inver Grove Heights, MN, 55076. Visitation begins at 10:00 AM, followed by Mass at 11:00 AM. Lunch will be provided at the church afterwards.
Sporcic, Stephen “Stosh”
Age 86 of Inver Grove Heights, MN
Formerly South St Paul, MN
Passed away unexpectedly on April 26, 2024. Preceded in death by his parents, Marko and Anna Sporcic, his siblings, Joe, Emil (Terri), John (Clara), Tony (Margaret), Sophie Bernier (Jack), in-laws Marjorie and Peter Gelao, sister in-law, Patricia Hageman (Jerry), and daughter in-law (Amy).
Survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joanne, 4 loving children, Stephen, Michael, Cynthia, and Pete, 5 grandchildren, Robert, Jessica Halloran (Clinton Stewart), Stephen, Emily (Francisco Guerra), and Zachary (Brittani), 5 great granddaughters Emma, Lynn, Morgan, Eleanor, and Isabel, bonus great grandchildren, Bella, Vincent and Dominic, and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Growing up in South St Paul, he helped his father Marko at the Croatian Hall, and worked the 4H Cafeteria with his mother, Anna. In high school, he wrestled and played Right Tackle for the SSP Packers. South St Paul HS graduate class 
of 1956. After high school, Steve enlisted in the Navy, and proudly served during the Cold War as a Navy Seaman 1956 – 1958 on the destroyer, USS Zellars (DD-777).
While in the Navy, Steve met his future bride, Joanne, while home on leave at the Kaposia Club. While away, they wrote each other and fell in love through letters. Once returning from service in the Mediterranean Sea, Steve began work on a delivery route with 7UP and met many life-long friends. On October 8th, 1960, Steve and Joanne were married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in South Saint Paul, MN and had their wedding reception at the Croatian Hall, South Saint Paul, MN. Not long after they were married, they started their family, and Steve began working his lifetime career as an Insurance Agent. In the early days, agents met with families in their homes, and worked many evenings, but he always came home to have supper with his family before heading out for evening appointments. Steve graduated from Inver Hills CC in 1975 and expanded from life insurance to all types of insurance.
Steve’s passions were his Family, Minnesota Vikings, his Croatian Heritage, new cars, History (especially Native American History), and a love of travel and adventures. Family was the most important thing to Steve ~ celebrating every holiday together with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also loved having BBQs, pool parties, “Christmas in July”, and attending every wedding, graduation, or funeral he was invited to by family, friends, and clients (it was an honor for him to be invited). For the last 10 years, he and Joanne hosted Saturday morning breakfast with their family EVERY WEEK.
Steve loved all Minnesota sports teams especially the Minnesota Vikings. He was a season ticket holder for many years. Steve instilled a love of MN Vikings to his children and had a tradition of going to Minnesota Training Camp in Mankato and Eagan, MN. He enjoyed visiting the Minnesota Vikings Museum in Eagan, MN.
His Croatian Heritage was very special to him. He was a member of the Croatian Hall and always attended the annual Christmas Party, and other events like the 100th Anniversary party with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Steve and Joanne also became connected with the Strawberry Hill Museum in Kansas City, KS and attended many events there as well. In 1997, Steve and his niece, Marcie traveled to Croatia with one of the first tourist groups after Croatia earned its Independence. In 2005, he went to Italy and returned to Croatia to experience it with Joanne and 3 of his children. While there he visited a Croatian orphanage which touched his heart and he supported for many years.
His love of travel could not be matched! Whether it was a day trip to Brainerd to pick up vanilla from a nephew, driving to a casino to get a free gift he could donate at a fundraiser, or taking a trip with each of his children and grandchildren to Pipestone, MN to visit the Pipestone National Monument (U.S. National Park) visitor center and museum to learn about Native American culture, the historic Pipestone quarries, beautiful tallgrass prairie, and the majestic Winnewissa waterfall.
He and Joanne traveled to all 50 states by the mid-90s (then started over again). Most of their travels the last 20 years were spent visiting his niece Marcie and her family and nephew Tony (Rita) in Texas and connecting with his Navy buddies from the USS Zellars as a member of the “Tin Can Sailors”, the National Association of Destroyer Veterans. He and Joanne traveled to “Bull Sessions” in Oshkosh, WI regularly, and across the United States to many Annual National Reunions to visit other Navy ships and tour the cities they were in (too many to name!). Steve and his bride, Joanne, spread joy, smiles, and handed out pens everywhere they went and traveled. Thank you for being you!!!
Visitation will be held Saturday, May 18th 9:00-11:00 AM, Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM with luncheon to follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 3535 72nd St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.