Verna M. LaBarre
Age 81 of Bullhead City, AZ
Formerly of Inver Grove Heights, MN
Passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025. Preceded in death by husband, James; parents, Floyd & Viola Hamilton; sisters, Carol, Lois & Jeanne; brother, Floyd Jr. Survived by children, Jim (Terese), Mary (David) LaBarre Mustin, Angela (Rich) Cassidy and John (Frederick); grandchildren, Matt, Cassie, Jessica, Tad, Jennifer, Alexandra & Maria; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Madelynn, Iris, Cashel & Emmitt; brother, David Hamilton; loving dogs, Lucy, Coco, Winston; also many other family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 11 :00 AM Thursday, May 22nd, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:00 – 11:00 AM prior to Mass at church. Private Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.
Marjorie A. Sullivan (Malerich)
(Nee Nadeau)
Age 93 of Eagan
Passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025. Preceded in death by husband, Robert Sullivan; daughter, Mary; grandson, Nicholas; parents, Louis and Evelyn Nadeau; sister, Gloria Braun; brother, Richard Nadeau; daughter-in-law, Gail Sullivan. Survived by husband, Dr. J. Anthony Malerich; children, Julie, Colleen, Patrick, Michael and John; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Mary Kay Burke and Betty (Tom) Roberts; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 20th, at the Church of St. Peter, 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota Heights MN and can be live streamed at
Visitation 9:30 to 11:00 AM prior to Mass at church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to MN Hospice, Lakeville, MN.
Lana Jo Albert
Age 50
Passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 10th after a long battle with kidney disease. Preceded in death by father, Richard Kruzel; grandparents, Emma & Rubin, Verna & Raymond; father-in-law, John Albert; uncle, Gary Poland. Survived by husband, Daniel; son, Austin; mother, Barb Kruzel; brothers, Tony (Gina), Michael (Michelle); sister, Melissa (Derek) Kruzel-Barnard; mother-in-law, Shelley Albert; brother-in-law, Michael (Rick) Albert; also many other relatives and friends.
Lana grew up in Apple Valley until 1984, moved around some then graduated in 1992 from Eureka High School in Missouri. In September 1998, she married Daniel in Roseville and Austin was born in May 2000. Lana loved loud music and being with people. She was kind and friendly and was very patient, content and peaceful with life. She was a praise and worship leader at church for a time. Lana loved her cats, animals, video games, movies, and true crime shows. She deeply loved her family and God, most of all. She worked various careers throughout her lifetime and helped own/operate Midway Storage for a few years.
Lana fought kidney disease for 15 years. She received a transplant in 2011 from her brother and has been receiving dialysis at DaVita Dialysis since 2018, where she formed many friendships.
Celebration of Life 3:00 PM Saturday, May 17th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 1:00 – 3:00 PM prior to the service. Private Interment Lebanon Cemetery, Apple Valley.
Carolyn Marie Klegin
Age 75
Passed away on May 1st, 2025. Preceded in death by parents, James and Ruth (Cole) Gallagher; and brothers, Jimmy and Patrick. Survived by sister, Mary Ann (Larry) Palodichuk; brother, Tommy (Carla) Gallagher; sister-in-law, Julie Gallagher (Jimmy); daughters Tara (Randy) Klegin-Laska and Trica Bagwill; grandkids, Brennan, Lucas and Tessa Laska and Alyssa, Kayla and Nicholas Bagwill; along with other family members and friends.
Carolyn grew up in South St. Paul and moved to Cottage Grove to raise a family. After moving back to South St. Paul, she continued her gardening talents and won two beautification awards from the city with the help of her dad. Carolyn worked various jobs throughout her life and thoroughly enjoyed being a beautician. She always made sure her girl’s hair was perfect before leaving the house. She also served as a volunteer fire fighter for Cottage Grove. Carolyn loved cabin life on Pokegama Lake in Pine City where she enjoyed the company of her parents across the channel. Most importantly Carolyn enjoyed camping, traveling and spending time with her six grandchildren. She moved to Arizona and spent many wonderful years looking out her window at Superstition Mountain. She was at the very least a medical miracle, surviving a burst brain aneurysm in 2018. Carolyn moved back to South St. Paul, MN in 2022. Overcoming many different health complications, she was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in January 2025. After a short battle, Carolyn passed away peacefully, with no pain, in her sleep.
Her girls want you to know she was always able to brighten someone’s day. She was hilarious and witty! Every nurse and doctor would comment how funny she was and how they wished all patients were just like her. They would like to thank their Auntie Mary Ann and Auntie Julie for the amazing support they showed Carolyn (and them) right up until the very end. Without either of them, her days would not have been filled with the love and laughter they brought. Thank you to all the family and friends that supported all who were involved in the care and support of those who took care of and loved Carolyn. There were some very hard days since 2018 but the support is what got them through it. When Carolyn was asked what she wanted with her at the end, she said ice water, her wallet and cash. Classic! The care she received over the years was intense. On her behalf, the girls would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Barcelon (PCP), Dr. McHale (ENT) and every single nurse, CNA, staff member, and doctor at Regions Hospital! Carolyn and her daughters are so thankful for the genuine care and compassion they have shown.
No service decisions have been made yet. Carolyn will be laid to rest in Arizona, May 10th, 2025, surrounded by family.
Gregory Alan Bartels
Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights, MN
Passed away on April 29th, 2025.
Greg’s presence is deeply missed by his family including wife, Linda Bartels; Daughter, Alica Bartels; Daughter and Son in Law, Ella & Rhett Burmeister; Grand Children, Jacob, Payton, Lawson, Lila and Breanna. Now reunited with his son preceding him, Luke Bartels; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
Greg was a cherished Military Veteran serving in the Marine Corps with two tours in Vietnam. He proudly and graciously attended 50 retreats at Demontriville. We will miss his storytelling, beautiful blue eyes, generous heart and strong will.
Private family service will be held.
Forever in our hearts.
Christian Jeffrey Baago
Age 31 of Eagan, Minnesota.
Passed away on April 23, 2025 in Hopkins, MN. Christian was loved by all who knew him. He loved all sports, and grew up playing any, and every sport he could try. High school varsity soccer, and nordic skiing he treasured, where he met so many of his dear friends. He accomplished the Twin City Marathon, and American Birkebeiner Cross – Country Ski Marathon, 3 times each.
The last 11 years he worked for a Hockey Distribution Company.
Private family service are being held.
He will be missed!
Robert “Bob” Frenger
Age 80 of Inver Grove Heights
Passed peacefully, on April 22, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Sandy; and his parents, Fredrick and Georgia Frenger; and son-in-law, Howard Barefoot.
Survived by his brother, Fred Frenger (Louise); and sister, Carol Frenger (Rafael); as well as children, Brian, Tammy (James) Sampson, Kimberly, and Todd (Kim); and grandchildren, Michael, Emily (Cole), Arianna (Ethan), Jayden and Tyler. Also survived by brother-in-law, Wayne McKay; also many other family and friends.
Bob loved his dogs, especially “his faithful companion”, Lady, who will miss the home cooked meals, and daily walks with Bob. Bob was born in New York City, and never lost his accent despite moving to Minnesota in 1965 after his Navy service aboard the USS Gyatt. Bob came to St. Paul after a yearlong courtship via letter with his soon to be wife, Sandy, and together they raised four children in South St. Paul, before moving to Inver Grove Heights. After raising their family, Sandy and Bob spent many years as caregivers for special needs children and adults, and were thankful for many wonderful memories, including Sunday morning brunches with Dahni Jo, Chad and others, who were an extended family for Sandy and Bob.
Bob worked 41 years for Northwest Airlines, and in retirement enjoyed fishing with his grandkids, coin collecting, trips up north to Breezy Point, and family cruises in the Caribbean. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Above all Bob cherished his moments with Sandy, whether biking, gardening, visiting the grandkids, or making Sunday morning crepes. Bob took loving care of Sandy in her final months with Alzheimer’s, and now they are reunited for the rest of eternity. Special thanks to the Dr. Lemma, and the entire staff of MN Oncology. Bob will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
Memorial Service 7:30 pm Tuesday, May 6th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 6:00-7:30 pm prior to the service. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to the Down Syndrome Association.
Jerrilynn “Jerri” Eng
Jerrilynn “Jerri” Eng passed away on April 17th after a long battle with dementia. She is survived by her son Kevin (Teri) Werner and stepson Tony, daughter Heidi (Kirk) Garcia, grandsons Alexander (fiancé Ambar) Garcia and Aiden (Lidia) Garcia, granddaughter Abigail Garcia, and great grandson Kane Garcia. Also survived by brothers James (Cherie) Eng and Curtis (Linda) Eng and niece and nephews.Irene Susan (Schmitz) Peterson
November 25th, 1935 ~ April 19th, 2025
From Lindstrom, previously Inver Grove Heights, MN
Irene passed away peacefully at the rightful old age of 89 at Parmly on the Lakes nursing home in Chisago City, MN.
She is survived by her children Terry, Tom (Julie), Tammi, Tim (Therese), Tony (Jen), 11 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, sister Myrtle Schmitz, cousins, in-laws, many nieces and nephews. She was a nurse for 45 years which was her trademark of being the consummate nurturer. Her hobbies included faith, family, dancing, playing cards, baking, making wedding cakes. In her later years, listening to old time music (KDHL radio), watching game shows, playing solitaire and continued her strong faith.
Irene grew up in rural Dundas, MN and attended Bethlehem Academy (class of ’53). After graduating, she attended nursing school at St. Kates. She met Harley and they did a lot of ballroom dancing together. Irene and Harley married in June of ’57 and eventually settled in Inver Grove Heights and raised a family. They resided in IGH for 46 years. In 2008, they moved to a quiet retirement community in Lindstrom, MN.
Irene was preceded in death by husband Harley, her brothers Ken Schmitz & Paul Schmitz and sister Marcella Burke.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am Monday, April 28th, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation will be held from 2 – 6 pm Sunday, April 27th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights. Also 1 hour prior to the Mass at church. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Thank you to the Parmly care providers during Irene’s stay and especially during her final weeks. Also, a wonderful thank you to St. Croix Hospice for their support during her final days.
Barbara R. Henke
Age 85 of Woodbury, MN
Passed away on April 13, 2025 under hospice care. Preceded in death by the love of her life for 56 years, John Henke and parents Ben and Tena Haney. Survived by her son Brian (Sarah) of Lake Elmo, MN and her daughter Janelle (Fraser) Walsh of Glastonbury, CT. She had four grandchildren, Bennett and Blake Henke and Jaelyn and Trey Walsh. The grandchildren were a constant source of joy and pride from their many accomplishments.
Barb was born in Winona, MN, graduated with the class of 1957 and received a bachelor’s degree in education from Macalester College in St Paul, MN in 1961. Throughout her life she maintained friendships with many of those from school. Barb spent over 30 years impacting the lives of students in South St. Paul schools as a teacher and administrator in both the junior and senior high school. Additionally, she was a founding and active member of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights, MN. She was an avid reader and word searcher, traveler and game player, especially bridge. Barb was generous with her time volunteering with the homeowner’s associations, school functions, the church and the local library. Possessing a great sense of humor, Barb was always willing to share a laugh, lend a sympathetic ear or deliver a much-needed hug. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00-5:00 pm on Saturday, May 31st at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.
Memorials preferred to the South St. Paul Education Foundation, Hospice of the Midwest or the Ronald McDonald House – Midwest.