Gerald “Jerry/JR” Ries, age 73 of South St. Paul, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 23, 2026.

Gerald Lee, the son of Raymond and Donna (Benz) Ries, was born on May 21, 1952, in St. Paul.  Following his education at Simley High School, Jerry was enlisted in the United States Army and later received an honorable discharge. Jerry began working at Ries-Skelly for a short while before his life-long career at Aggregate Industries where he was a longtime heavy equipment operator. All throughout his life, Jerry was an avid golfer, loved to fish, and to garden, often sharing his produce with many family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his sister, Michele.

Jerry is survived by his siblings, Barb (Jeff) Moore, Mike Ries, Gene Ries, Cathie Ries, and Daveen (Steve) Woodford; nieces and nephews, Cheri (Paul) Werner, Derek (Amy) Running, Jamie (Tom) Weber, Joel (Meghan) Moore, Alicia (Paul) Anderson, Mariah Ries, Natasha Caporusso, and David (Stephanie) Ries; and by many aunts, uncles, cousins, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Roberts Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights and will also be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26036335927611.  Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., and to a reception following the graveside service, all at the funeral home on Tuesday.

Marlys A. James, age 86 of Inver Grove Heights, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026. Recently, Marlys celebrated her birthday and had the opportunity to meet her first great great grandson.

Marlys, the daughter of Raymond and Wilhelmina (Krall) Stokke, was born on March 18, 1940 in Menomonie, Wisconsin.  Following her graduation from Humbolt High School, Marlys married Robert “Shonnie” James.  She worked in manufacturing at Minnesota Plastics and later Whirlpool prior to working as a dietary aide at Maplewood Care Center and Rose of Sharon Nursing Home until her retirement. Marlys enjoyed bowling, traveling, playing cards, spending time with friends and especially her grandchildren.  She was a talented cake decorator and enjoyed sharing her finished treats with family and friends.

 She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Shonnie; siblings, Gene, Norma, Joyce, and Carol; and son-in-law, Tim Larson.

Marlys is survived by her daughters, Sheri James and Jodi Larson; grandchildren, Rob James, Shannon James, Calli (Billy) Brown, and Michelle Hermann; great grandchildren, Anika, Brooke, Kylie, Norah, Lilly, and Ava; great great grandson, Wren.

A Celebration of Marlys’ Life will be held on Sunday, March 29th at Roberts Funeral & Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, with a visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  A service, including a time to share will follow at 3:00 p.m.  Private family interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. 

November 13, 1951 ~ March 17, 2026

Age 74 of Zimmerman, formerly of Cottage Grove, MN

Preceded in death by parents, Lloyd & Normamae Weakley; three brothers, Jim, Scott & Garry Weakley. Survived by brothers, Chip (Brenda) Weakley, Darryl (Jeanne) Weakley, Terry (Gretchen) Weakley; sister-in-law, Vicky Weakley; also many nieces, nephews & friends.

Mary graduated from Park High School in St. Paul Park.  She was known for being a caregiver for her entire family.  Mary did her best to keep everyone together and was there to help in any way she could.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 18^th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.  Visitation will be from 1:00 -2:00 pm with a Time of Sharing at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota.

Age 50, of St. Paul,

Passed away peacefully at his home on March 19, 2026, after a lengthy illness.

He was born May 31, 1975, in Obando, Bulacan, Philippines. He moved to the United States in 1996 and settled in St. Paul, MN. Cesar worked many years at ConAgra Foods Waseca. He was preceded in death by his father, Crispin. Cesar is survived by his children, Ethan and Sydney Dimapelis; his mother, Gloria Dimapelis; brothers, Gerry Dimapelis and Charlie (Eleanor) Dimapelis; sisters, Estelita (Daniel) Felten, Theresa (Chris) Saavedra, Stephanie (Dan Gordon) Dimapelis, and many nieces and nephews, family, and friends.

Cesar was known for his incredible sense of humor and the love he had for his family. He could always lighten the mood and bring a smile to anyone he met with his jokes and infectious laugh. He especially loved spending time with his family and doted on his nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 pm Friday, March 27, 2026, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN. Visitation will be from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm prior to the service, and a luncheon will follow the service. An internment will be conducted on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 10:00 am at Riverview Cemetery, West St Paul, MN.

Age 81 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, with family, March 19, 2026. Preceded in death by husband, Gus; parents, Edward and Dorothy Marks. Survived by son, Jeffery; granddaughters, Shauna & Samantha; sister, Donna Jeseritz; nephew, Michael (Aly) Jeseritz and their children. 

“Barb loved being a grandmother and cherished every moment spent with her granddaughters. She was very proud to have worked for over 30 years as a cook in the Inver Grove Heights Community School District (ISD 199), where she shared her passion for food with others. She loved hosting gatherings and bringing people together. She found great joy in time spent with family and friends—especially during summers at the family cabin she and her husband, Gus, owned in Big Lake, MN. She will always be remembered for her sharp sense of humor and the special way she brought people together. She will be forever loved and deeply missed by many.”

Age 71 of Inver Grove Heights, MN

April 30, 1954 – March 5, 2026

Passed away at home on Thursday, March 5. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Roberts Funeral and Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The family is requesting memorials to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. Burial will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery in South St. Paul, MN.

Robert Pollock was born on April 30, 1954, at St. John’s Hospital in St. Paul, MN, to Benedict and Elaine (Marek) Pollock. He was the 2nd of 4 siblings. He grew up in South St. Paul, MN, and graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1972.

After graduating from high school, Bob went to college at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and graduated cum laude with an Associates in Applied Science with High Distinction. He also attended South Dakota State University, Brookings and received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture. He later started his own landscaping business, Arch-Tech Landscaping, and Naturally Grown Farm, in 1987 and was in business for 39 years. He’s also been a botanist, farmer, landscaper, and consultant since 1974. Bob also worked as a gardener for the University of Minnesota from 1983-1988 and was a botanist for the National Park Service from 2008-2010.

He married Nancy Morgan on May 5, 1984, and they built a home on 5 acres in Inver Grove Heights. They were married for 27 years, and had 2 children together, Gustaf and Anna.

Bob served his community and was elected to the Inver Grove Heights City Council from 1989-1992. He started the Environmental Commission and was a Minnesota representative to the National League of Cities Natural Resource Committee.

Bob’s favorite pastimes were hunting, fishing, gardening/farming and also watching the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings. He was a lover of the outdoors and could tell you the name of practically any plant, tree or shrub. He loved to travel and went to Poland soon after the Berlin Wall fell.

Bob is survived by a son and a daughter, Gustaf (Kayla) of Prior Lake, MN, and Anna (TJ) of Eden Prairie, MN. He is also survived by 3 grandchildren, Victoria, Maximus, and Barrett, as well as, his mother, Elaine Pollock; sisters, Susann (Kevin) Goebel and Mary Jo Pollock; and nephews, Timothy (Yuko) Goebel and Benjamin Goebel.

He was preceded in death by his father, Benedict Pollock; and brother, Kenneth Pollock.

Age 89 of Coates, MN.

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 16^th, 2026.

Preceded in death by daughter, Lynne Sirvas; grandson, Willie Sirvas; daughter-in-law, Bonnie Perron; parents, Fred and Gertrude Perron.

Survived by loving wife, Arlene; sons, Jim (Kim) Perron; Kevin Perron and Steven Perron (Cat Briggs); son-in-law, Bill Sirvas; grandchildren, Jason (Jen) Perron, Corey (Ashley) Perron, Jamie (Steven) Niehaus, Katie (Cole) Aamot, Justine Perron (Mike Larson), Samantha Perron (Adam Kurtz), Amanda (Dagen) Heim and Nicole Sirvas; great grandchildren, Devyn Perron, Peyton Perron, Wyatt Perron, Bentley Perron, Landon Niehaus, Aubre Niehaus, Liam Niehaus, Madison Niehaus and Dayton Heim; also many other family and friends.

Leonard was born on March 31, 1936 to Fred and Gertrude Perron he grew up in Lilydale, MN they lived on the River and encountered May spring floods. He graduated from Henry Sibley High School. On August 24, 1957 he married Arlene Darsow at Trinity Lone Oak Church. They lived in Eagan and had four children. In 2000 they built a new home and moved to Coates

Leonard work at FOK which was a distributor for Trustworth hardware stores he was the warehouse manager. When the closed he went to Sportsman’s Guide and became their warehouse manager. During this time he was also the captain of the Eagan fire station. He retired from both. After retirement he decided he needed a little something to do so he took on mowing for ISD 196.

Leonard and Arlene liked traveling with their children and friends, they always had some type of camper to stay in. After their children got older they started to pull a fifth wheel trail joined a campers club and went to Arizona in the winter.

Leonard like to collect old tractors he had about 26 in his shed not all of them ran. He would have the boys haul them to the Dakota County fair for one week every summer and would sit under a tent from 9am to 9pm all week. He enjoyed hobby farming and gardening.

Funeral service 11:00 am Saturday, March 21^st, at Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church, 2950 Highway 55, Eagan, MN 55121. Visitation 10:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the service at the church. Interment Trinity Lone Oak Lutheran Church Cemetery with luncheon to follow.

November 11, 1961 ~ March 14, 2026

Age 64 of Inver Grove Heights

Nancy passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, March 14, 2026 after a courageous battle with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Nancy was born in St. Paul to Elmer & Carol Kromschroeder. She was known for her contagious laugh, crocheted blankets and handmade cards, always having treats for her grandbabies, her love for her family and friends and her sweet and gentle soul. She spent over 40 years of her nursing career at St. Joseph’s Hospital where she cared for thousands of patients.

Preceded in death by parents, Elmer and Carol (Friel) Kromschroeder. Survived by husband, Virgil Pawlenty Jr.; children, Virgil (Kellee) Pawlenty III and Rachel (Kevin) Gindele; grandchildren, Miriam, Eleanor, Otto and Adelena; and many other family and friends.

Funeral Service to be held at 11:00 am on Friday, March 20^th, 2026 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St. E., Inver Grove Heights with visitation two hours prior. Burial and luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Foundation in her honor.

Clarence Rief, 90, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota formerly of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away Sunday, March 15, 2026, at United Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota.  Clarence suffered a traumatic stroke following a serious infection, leaving him unable to recover.

A Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 18, at Church of St Patrick in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, and will also be livestreamed at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/a26037481473947. The family will greet friends at 10 a.m. until the service at the church begins.

The interment for Clarence and Barbara Rief will be held at Evergreen Cemetery on May 12 at 11:00 am in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.  Luncheon to follow.  A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help on May 23 at 10:30 am in Scottsdale, Arizona with a celebration of life following at the home of Tom and Terry Rief.

Clarence was born September 9, 1935, in Manitowoc, Wis., to Clarence and Martha Reif. He married Barbara Rae Senglaub on June 1, 1957, and they had four children, Daniel, Michael, Victoria and Thomas.  They raised their children first in Moline, Il before moving to West Des Moines, IA in 1975.

Clarence will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who liked to challenge kids to think before they acted and enjoyed seeing them grow into strong people.  Clarence never knew his father who died in an auto accident before he was born.  He and his brother Jack were raised by their mother and spent summers at his aunt and uncle’s farm.

Clarence graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc and received his degree in management from Marquette University.  He spent his career with John Deere retiring as an Engineering Manager.  Clarence was an avid (and very good) golfer, keeping a log of every golf score throughout his life.   After retirement, Clarence and Barbara spent their winters in Horseshoe Bay, Texas until Barbara’s death in 2012.   Clarence then continued to live in West Des Moines, Iowa until 2024 when he sold his home and spent a year living with each of his children for a few months at a time. We each cherished the time he spent with our families. In early December 2025 Clarence moved to St Therese Memory Care Center, Woodbury MN.  He told his friend Rita that he couldn’t be in a better place at this time of life.

Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his parents Clarence and Martha, his parents-in-law Arthur and Lucile Senglaub, his brother Jack and sister-in-law Marilyn, his brothers-in-law Donald and Robert Senglaub.

Clarence is survived by his children, Daniel (Mary Ann) Rief, Michael (Jane Marie) Rief, Victoria (Richard) Dillenburg and Thomas (Terry) Rief; 13 grandchildren, Michelle, Christopher, Benjamin, Vanessa, Jennifer, Jonathan, Joseph, Julia, Nicholas, Samuel, Daniel, Amanda, and Alyssa; 14 great-grandchildren, Kenya, Taryn, Everest, Harrington, Gwendolyn, Galatia, Gisele, Theodore, Liam, Helena, Adeline, Daphne, Caroline, and Isla; sisters-in-law, Nancy Senglaub and Sharon Donovan-Rief; nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces and dear friend Rita Kliment.

Memorials may be directed to Church of St Patrick Inver Grove Heights, MN, Sacred Heart Parish West Des Moines, IA, or Heifer International.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at St Therese Woodbury and United Hospital for the wonderful care Clarence received there.