Kanzenbach, Eric E.
Age 37 of St. Paul
Passed away unexpectedly on May 3, 2017. Preceded in death by mother, Diane; grandparents, Ned & Phyllis Kanzenbach. Survived by Erin and her children, Chase & Skylar; loving aunts & uncles, Sue (Mike), Mary (Jeff), Janice (Chris), Dawn & Denny; best friend, Jason Foss; also many other relatives & friends. A Celebration of Life will be held 12 Noon Saturday, May 13th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred.
McInerny, Thomas Michael
Age 65 of Inver Grove Heights.
Passed away peacefully on May 5, 2017. Preceded in death by wife, Bonita; father, Michael. Survived by mother, Dorothy; children, Tina (Jeff) Bryczek, Santino (Chrissy), Jeremy (Brigitte), Stefan; also grandchildren & great-grandchildren; brothers, Michael (Dar), Tim & Todd; other relatives & friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Friday, May 12th at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:30-10:30 am prior to Mass. Luncheon to follow.
Draper, Carol Dell (LaFon)
Age 85, of Inver Grove Heights, MN.
Born in Wichita Falls, Texas.
Passed away peacefully on March 20, 2017 after a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Billy Joe, whom she missed dearly every day after his passing until they were reunited. She is also preceded in death by her parents, Rector Odell and Lillie Mae LaFon, brothers Charles and Norman LaFon, nephew Ronnie Cather and niece Cheree LaFon. Carol is survived by her daughter Carolyn (Neil) Dulas, sons Stanley (Deb), Randy (Deb) and Larry (Pam); sister Patricia (Bob) Cather, brother Jearl LaFon; grandchildren DeAnne (Patrick) Dulas, Dana Dulas Norsten, Andrew Draper, Alison Draper; great-grandchildren Mary, Katie, Broden, Danielle, Austin and Kamdon; and many nephews and niece. She is also survived by many friends and family whose lives she touched with kindness, laughter, friendship and love. Carol grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas. She married her sweetheart, Billy Joe, in 1948. In 1955, Carol and Billy Joe moved to Inver Grove Heights, MN, with the hope of creating a better life for their family. After Billy Joe retired, Carol and Billy Joe lived for a time in Waterville, MN, before returning to Inver Grove. Carol always put the needs of others before her own and was always there to lend a helping hand to friends and family in need. Carol was a loyal and tenacious friend, willing to stand up for others and not afraid to speak her mind. She had a fabulous sense of humor and enjoyed a good joke or funny story. Carol loved to cook and her kitchen was often the center of activity. She always had a pot of coffee and a delicious dessert on hand, ready to serve when someone stopped by for a visit. Carol loved sewing and crocheting, making dozens of beautiful quilts and blankets which she shared with others. Carol loved spending time with family, including her siblings, nieces, nephews, with whom she was very close and, for some, like a second mother. Carol’s grandchildren will always have the memories of time spent with her cooking, heartfelt hugs, playing cards, eating cheese and crackers and fun sleepovers staying up much later than they should. Carol loved animals, especially dogs, and had many dogs throughout her life who were very spoiled by her love and affection. Carol was the rock of her family, the foundation upon which so many were able to build their own successful and happy lives. No amount of gratitude can repay her for her strength and kindness which she so generously shared. Many thanks to the wonderful nurses, doctors and other care providers at St. Joseph’s hospital, especially Molly L., who worked tirelessly to care for Carol in her final days. It was Carol’s request to not have a formal service, however, a Celebration of Life will be held on May 13, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Room #1 at the Veteran’s Memorial Community Center located at 8055 Barbara Ave E. in Inver Grove Heights, MN. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be made to the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota.
Kisch, Richard J. “Dick”
Age 75 of Inver Grove Heights
Passed away on May 2, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Andrew & Marie; Survived by loving wife of 48 years, Judy; daughters, Carri (Ron) McGuire & Kimberly (Neil) Olson; grandchildren, Dominick (Bethany), Karley, Taylor, Hanna & Nathan; brother, James (Phylis); also other relatives & friends. Dick proudly served in the US Navy during Vietnam. Dick loved his family and the time he spent with them. Memorial Service 11 AM Friday, May, 5th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Rice, Glenn L.
Age 79 of West St. Paul, formerly of Inver Grove Heights
Died peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 29, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Martin & Angeline; brother, Earland; step-brother, Bob; best friend, Bob Johnson. Survived by loving wife of 58 ½ years, Lois; son, Ken (Diane); daughter, Vikki (Duane) Lindstrom; grandchildren, Jenny & Ryan; great-grandchildren, Addy & Camryn; brother, Fran; also many other extended family & friends. After retiring from the phone company Glenn built custom cabinets with his brother-in-law and two nephews. Funeral Service 4:30 PM Thursday, May 4th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 3-4:30 PM prior to the service. Interment Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association.
Bierman, Harriet Joan
Age 94 of Crosslake, MN (formerly of Inver Grove Heights)
Died Friday, April 28, 2017 at Regina Nursing Home in Hastings, MN. She was born May 5, 1922 in Belgrade, MN, the daughter of Rudolph J. & Agnes Amelia (Holtberg) Anderson. Harriet graduated from Hamline University with the Class of 1944. On August 4, 1943 she was united in marriage to Orval M. Bierman in Austin, Texas. They moved from Belgrade to Inver Grove Heights in the Spring of 1958. That fall Harriet started work for ISD 199 as a substitute teacher and became the librarian at the four elementary schools in the district and finished her career as librarian for the Inver Grove Heights Middle School. In 1982, Harriet retired and enjoyed spending summer months in Crosslake. In her spare time, she enjoyed counted cross-stitch, embroidery, reading and spending time with her friends, family and children. Harriet is survived by four children, Joan of Crosslake, Elaine (Ray) Gergen of Hastings, Robert of Crosslake and Tim (Kathy) of Inver Grove Heights; seven grandchildren, Shari Wagner, Beth (Jon) Molitor, Stacy (Mike) Munson, Greg (Megan) Gergen, Mark Bierman, Lynne (Gary) Kiefer & John Bierman; nine great-grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, everyone who knew her as Grandma B and long-time friend Lucy. Funeral Service 11 am Wednesday, May 3rd at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave. Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 am prior to the service. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to donor’s choice.
Kurowski, Sharon Kaye
(Swanson)
Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother
Passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on April 27, 2017 of heart failure. Preceded in death by parents, Kenneth and Helen (Ed Cassidy); brothers, Charles & Richard. Survived by husband of 46 years, Thomas; children, Chad, Tawnya (Jason) & Jamie (Jenny); granddaughters, Britany (Dustin), Tiana, Hannah, Courtney and Olivia too!; sister, Kathy Forschen (Al) brother Jeff (Crissi). After nine years with her incurable broken heart, she has peacefully arrived at Home. Memorial Service 4 PM Friday, May 5th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 2-4 pm prior to the service.
Cady, Stephanie (Gail)
Age 81 0f South St. Paul
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 22, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Steve & Caroline Zamen; 3 brothers; 1 sister; beloved daughter, Laura Devereaux. Survived by husband of 62 years, Elroy; daughter, Sherri (David); son, Elroy (Carol); grandchildren, John (Whitney), Sarah (Jake) & Michael; great-grandsons, Owen & Nash; son-in-law, John Devereaux; also cousins, many other relatives & friends. Gail was a loving wife, mother, grandma & great-grandma. She worked many years as a secretary. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Thursday, April 27th, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials preferred to PETA or donor’s choice.
Waldo, Jacqueline Ann
Age 71 of Inver Grove Heights,
Passed away peacefully, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, on April 25, 2017. Preceded in death by parents, Tony & Ida Sauer; sister, Antoinette; Survived by husband, Roger; sister, Teddy; sons, Tony (Lisa) & Todd (Amy); grandchildren, Brandon, Taylor, Grace, & Jack; also many other relatives & friends. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling Cemetery at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.
Smith, Elaine J.
Age 93 of Inver Grove Heights.
Formerly of St. Paul. Passed away peacefully on April 21, 2017. Preceded in death by husband, Vernon; parents, Frank & Hildred Huback; brothers, Donald & Carl Huback. Survived by sister, Shirley Turnquist; sister-in-law, Dorothy Schouveller; children, Steven (Shirley) Smith, Sandra (David) Gerdes & Kathleen Poucher; grandchildren, David (Sydney) Burkhardt, Vicki (Joe) Verbota, Melissa (Pete) Markham, Jessica Poucher,, Gary (Micki) Smith, Jacqueline (Ian) Skule & Jocelyn (Jay) Steere; great-grandchildren, Maclaren, Charles, Isabella, Julia, Marcella, Colette, Caleb, August, Gavin & Norah. Memorial Service 7 PM Monday, April 24th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Aver. Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 5-7 PM prior to the service. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.