Obituaries2017-03-17T11:40:28-05:00

Jane Ann Salmon

04/19/1937 ~ 10/12/2025

Jane peacefully went home to Jesus on Sunday October 12th, surrounded with love.  Her very last words were “I Love You Too” on October 9th.

Jane was born to Tony and Agnes Gumlock in her Grandmother’s home in Arlington, SD.

Jane married Donald Dean Salmon in 1957, and together, they had 4 sons.

They divorced in 1968 and Jane never remarried.

She raised her 4 boys on her own, living mostly in St. Paul, MN.

Jane worked various jobs throughout her life and retired from Travel Tags in Inver Grove Heights.

Jane lived out most of her retirement years with her son, Mark; and his wife, Cyndi.

Jane is proceeded in death by her sister, Barbara Thill; and her husband, Jerry Thill

of Great Falls, MT; her son, Michael Salmon; and her granddaughter, Casey Salmon.

Jane is survived by one brother, Robert Gumlock (Karen); 3 sons, Dave Salmon (Nancy), Robert Salmon, and Mark Salmon (Cyndi); 7 nieces and nephews, 14 grandchildren, and 23 great grandchildren.

Jane will be laid to rest in her beloved hometown Arlington, SD with her family at Arlington Cemetery.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date to be determined.

Mary L. Patton (née Pirkl)

Age 79 of Edmond, Oklahoma, formerly of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.

Mary graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1964.  She graduated from St. Cloud Nursing College and served 10 years as a registered nurse in the United States Air Force.  After serving in the Air Force, she worked at Divine Redeemer Hospital in South St. Paul, where she met her future husband, Peter.  She retired from Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.

Mary is preceded in death by husband, Peter; parents, Arthur & Mirrella Pirkl; brothers, Charles & Ken Pirkl. Survived by sons, Luke (Stefanie) & Peter III; siblings, Mark Pirkl, Joan Weber, Susan Wethern; Peter’s parents, Peter Sr. & Naomi Patton; sisters-in-law, Sharon Pirkl, Mary Lou Pirkl, Claudia Wright; also many nieces, nephews, relatives & friends.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM Friday, October 10th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Hts. and can be viewed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a25104593267618. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, South St. Paul.

Memorials preferred to the Oklahoma Animal Humane Society.  In honor of Mary’s favorite color, please wear purple.

Diane M. Heinrich

Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights, MN

Passed away on October 5, 2025. Born on December 4, 1946 in West St. Paul, MN. Diane is preceded in death by husband, W. Richard “Dick” Heinrich, who passed away August 20, 2025; and brother, George (Sue) Weber.  Survived by her daughters, Lynn Heinrich and Lisa Heinrich; grandchildren, Ryan Tessman and Jack Tessman; sisters, Barb (Dan) Stone, Cheryl (Gary) Pawlenty, Annette (Andy) Gross and Elaine Weber and their families; sisters-in-law, Beth Marschall and Corinne Brengman and their families.

Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, October 18th, at Good Shephard Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 1 hour prior to service at church. Interment Riverview Cemetery, St. Paul.

Donna Ledoux (née Helm)

Age 84 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 5, 2025. Preceded in death by husband, Jacques; parents, Tom & Mary Helm.

Survived by children, Tom (Ann), Kim, Lisa (Bill) Lund, Ryan (Amy), Kelli (Don) Lesher; 24 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Helm; also other family & friends.

Donna grew up in South St. Paul, but she was a longtime resident of Inver Grove Hts. She was a homemaker who raised her kids, grandkids and a few neighbors. The last few years she suffered with Alzheimer’s. It was hard to watch someone who had a great memory slowly forget.

Funeral Service 11:00 am Monday, October 13th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:00 – 11:00 prior to the service. Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.

Thanks to Suite Living staff and Suite Living Hospice for such wonderful care.

Norma J. “Toots” Mannin

Age 79 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on October 1st, 2025. Preceded in death by parents, Norman & Selma Himle; sister, 2 brothers. Survived by loving husband of 62 years, David; sons, Mike (Kathy) & John (Kari); daughter, Salli (Kevin) Eiden; grandchildren, Jessica Boie (Jason), Jason Mannin (Ashley), Garrett Eiden (Ingrid), Ali Eiden, Katy Setzer (Jordan), Jake Mannin; 8 great-grandchildren, also many other family & friends.

Norma loved to spend time with family, working in her garden nurturing her flowers, listening to music, crocheting and knitting.

A Celebration of Norma’s Life will be held 4:00 – 7:00 PM Tuesday, October 7th with a short remembrance service at 6:00 PM at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN.

The family would like to thank Accent Care Hospice for their Amazing Care!

Gene E. Vierling

Age 82 of St. Paul.

Passed away peacefully on September 26, 2025. Proceeded in death by his parents, Florian and Vera Vierling; Daughter, Laura; and Siblings, Florian Vierling (Eileen), Patti Madland (Donald), Earl Vierling (Joan), Thomas Vierling (Marilyn), Richard Vierling (Pat), Helen Frie (Norb), Jerry Vierling (Barb), and William Vierling.

Survived by son, Donovan; and Siblings, George Vierling, James Vierling (Mary), Judy Foerster (William); and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, October 9th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 with visitation 1-hour prior to the service. An Interment burial will be held at 1:30 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, 2101 Lexington Ave. So., Mendota Heights, MN 55120.

Memorials Preferred.

Bruce Johnson

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on September 30th at the age of 81.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sherry “Cookie”; his parents, Nels and Ecco Johnson; brother, Jack; sisters, Sue and Jana.

Bruce is survived by his four children, whom he absolutely adored: Tammy (Brian) James, Bruce (Pam) Johnson, Dean (Katie) Johnson, and Christopher (Tanya) Johnson. He is also survived by 4 sisters, 1 brother, 8 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren.

Details regarding burial and celebration of life will be communicated at a later time.

Geraldine J. Waldemarsen

Age 88, of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on September 22, 2025.

Preceded in death by husband, Lloyd; and dog, Nemo. Survived by sons, Jim (Karen), Brent (Sonja) and Dean; grandchildren, Ryan, Bethanie, Adam (Jessica), Tyler (Sophie), Dustin (Missy) Rhein, Lindsey (Brian) Benson & Kyle (Jeanah) Rhein; great-grandchildren, Teddy, Brooks, Wesley, Hadley, Blake, Julia, Robert, Dominic, Bailey, Eli & Wyatt; also other family & friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 3rd, 2025 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm with a memorial service at 5:00 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Please wear your favorite sports team jersey.

Marty Silvi

Age 86 of Inver Grove Heights,

Beloved husband, father, teacher, coach, and community servant, passed away peacefully surrounded by family. His life was defined by service, sisu, and love. He is survived by devoted daughters, Andi (Nick) Palodichuk and Teri Silvi (Andrew Berger); brother, Richard (Brigitta) Silvi; brother-in-law, Bill (Juli) Kramer; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret and his parents.

Raised in Cook, Minnesota, Marty began working young—his first job was as a dock boy at the Life of Riley Resort. He went on to earn both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Bemidji State College, launching a lifelong career that touched countless lives.

After proudly serving in the Army National Guard, Marty dedicated his professional life to education. He retired in 1999 after a long career teaching students, many with learning disabilities, at Grass Junior High & Henry Sibley High School in West St. Paul, where he also coached wrestling and football. A lifelong mentor and role model, Marty believed every student was a gift, shaping his legacy as an inspiring teacher and coach.

Marty’s community service was equally remarkable. He served for 40 years on the Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Commission, volunteered with the St. Patrick’s Church Men’s Club, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Minnesota Teachers’ Union. His passion for service reflected his deep commitment to improving the lives of others and strengthening the community he loved.

Beyond his professional and civic commitments, Marty embraced the simple pleasures of life. He was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman, and had a special appreciation for classic cars. He especially cherished the waters of Lake Vermilion, where he grew up, finding joy in the outdoors and creating countless memories.

Visitation: Thursday, Oct. 9, 4:00–6:00 PM, Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. Mass & Burial: Friday, Oct. 10, 10:30 AM visitation, 11:30 AM Mass, Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St. E., Inver Grove Heights, with burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation in Marty’s honor.

 

Lori Anne Richgels

April 8, 1963 – September 21, 2025

After a courageous 14-year battle with cancer, Lori Anne Richgels, 62, passed away peacefully on September 21st, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 8, 1963, in South St. Paul, Minnesota, Lori was the daughter of Shirley and Bill Arland. She met the love of her life, Larry Richgels, in 1979 at NorthStar Lanes Bowling Alley — a moment forever marked by the sparkle of her beautiful green eyes that first caught Larry’s attention.

Lori graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1985 with a degree in Elementary Education. A year earlier, on August 25, 1984, she married Larry, beginning a beautiful life together filled with love, laughter, and family. They welcomed their first child, Brad, in 1986, followed soon by Tom and Jill.

A devoted educator, Lori spent over three decades teaching at KinderCare Learning Centers, where she touched countless young lives with patience, warmth, and joy — especially in her favorite classroom: the two-year-olds.

Outside of the classroom, Lori was happiest with her family — cheering on Minnesota sports teams, fishing on the boat, traveling, and making memories with those she loved most.

Lori is survived by her beloved husband of 41 years, Larry Richgels; her children, Brad Richgels (Andrea), Tom Richgels (Samantha), and Jillian Baxter (Adam); her cherished grandchildren, Annabelle and Benjamin Richgels. She is also survived by her sister, Bonnie Swanson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Shirley Arland and her sister, Bobbie Niskala.

Lori’s strength, kindness, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 1st, 2025 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm (6:00 pm prayer) at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.

In lieu of flowers, please support Lori’s love of animals by sending donations to the Animal Humane Society.