Age 80 of Shakopee

Passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Hennepin County Medical Center. He was born December 27, 1942 to Sidney and Evelyn Olson in Kiester, MN. After graduating from Kiester High School, he enlisted in the Navy and completed 8 years of service and an additional 20 years in the Navy Reserves. Upon graduating from Mankato State with a degree in Mathematics and Physics, he worked for Lockheed Martin in Eagan as a technical instructor for FAA systems. He received his MBA from the University of St. Thomas. He enjoyed fishing, traveling, cooking, bird watching, yearly vacations with the family and nature walks.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Olson, his parents, his in-laws, Ivan and Evelyn Sansgard, and brothers: Rodney and Royal Olson. Survived by daughters, Michele (Ted) Schnaare & Mindie (Nathan) Schussler; grandchildren: Mikaela (Matt) Vollmar, Matthew (Maddie) Schnaare, Augustus, Griffin and Wyatt Schussler; great-grandson, Declan Vollmar; siblings: Lowell (Laurie) Olson, Michael (Cyndy) Olson, Lola Johnson; also numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Memorial Service 11am Saturday, May 20, 2023, with Visitation 9-11am prior to the service at Bethesda Lutheran Church, 2855 47th St E, Inver Grove Heights.

Age 95 of South St. Paul

Passed away April 21, 2023. Mel always had a smile and humor for everyone he met. Loving husband, beloved father, and devout Catholic, he loved horses, golf, people, reading Western novels, and above all his family. Survived by wife, Mary Ann Saign (McEllistrem); son, Geoffrey; daughters, Connie, Kathy, Karin Vaske (Jim), and Jennifer Davis (Kevin). Eldest son, Craig (Jeannie) passed away earlier this year. Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 749 6th Ave. S., South St. Paul, on Thursday, April 27th, at 11a.m. Private burial will follow.

Age 83

Robert passed away peacefully on April 18, 2023, surrounded by family. Survived by the love of his life, Georganna; son, Troy Gillenwater; daughter, Sonia (Gary) Anderson; grandchildren, Troy Gillenwater, Nicole Monahan, Jacob and Noah Anderson; great grandchildren, Carter and Hailee Monahan; sister, Ruth Rechtzigel; also other family and friends. Memorial Service 11 AM Monday, May 1^st, at Shepherd of the Hills Church, 7070 Bovey Ave. E., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10–11 am prior to the service at church.

Age 95 of South St. Paul.

Passed away peacefully on April 18, 2023. Preceded in death by parents, Martin & Olive; 3 sisters; 4 brothers. Survived by loving daughter, Kim; grandchildren, Brad, Kelly (Nate) & Nick; great-grandchildren, Gage, Emma and Lydia; brother, Ken; sisters-in-law, Janet & Camille Erickson; also many nieces, nephews & friends. Arlene loved to dance, take family photos and movies, she was an excellent seamstress, cake decorator, and cosmetologist. Funeral Service 11 am Friday, April 28^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 am prior to the service. Interment Moses Dane Cemetery, Burtrum, MN.

Age 100 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully on December 20, 2022. Preceded in death by husband, William. Survived by daughters, Diane Dorothy (Jim) & Maureen Twist (John); grandchildren, Dannielle Therrien (Luke), Allison Pavlish (Josh), Ashley Cole (Josh), Alexander Twist (Molly); great-grandchildren, Whittaker, Camden, Kelsie, Kenzie, Cecelia & Savannah; dear family of Roy Aschenbrener & very special friend Millie Mlinarevich. A Celebration of Life will be held 11am Saturday, April 29^th at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11am prior to the service. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.

In Loving Memory of Peter Pitou To

May 15, 1953 ~ April 10, 2023

Peter Pitou To transitioned peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at 8:25 am, Monday the 10th of April 2023 at his home in Eagan, Minnesota at the age of 69.

Pitou was preceded in death by both of his parents Phan To, and Chom Toun. Pitou is survived by Sopheap To (sister) and Sina To (brother), his 3 children Angel To (Jackson, Nori), Zachari To (Charlie), and Sarina To (Tiana, Zachari). He is also survived by many other close family members and loved ones including: Melina To, Theng Ku and family, Danny Ung, Sokhannara Ung, Leo Ung, Sarin and Phally Yos, Savann Sath, Patricia To, Aleena To, Angie Thithavong, Sunnary Chum and the Kong Family.

Pitou’s family wishes to express our most sincere gratitude and appreciation for the many prayers, well wishes, and acts of kindness shown during Peter’s journey in illness and final days of transition.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family of Pitou are preferred.

Visitation will be at Roberts Funeral Home in Inver Grove Heights (8108 Barbara Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077, United States) on Sunday the 16th of April 2023 from 12-5 pm. Monks Ceremony will be held on Monday at 10 am at Roberts Funeral Home, followed by the burial service at Pleasant View Memorial Gardens (400 MN-13 S. Burnsville, MN 55337 United States).

Repast to follow both visitation as well as burial at Melina To’s house: 4906 Rusten Rd. Eagan, MN 55122.

Pallbearers

Zach To

Sina To

Jackson Morris

Danny Ung

Leo Ung

Andrew Ung

Cedric Ung

Savann Sath

Aaron Robinson

Age 85 of Inver Grove Heights

John passed away peacefully at his home on April 8^th at the age of 85.  He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis; parents, John and Agnes Riebhoff, and two sisters, Janet Riebhoff and Judith Doll (Michael).

He is survived by his wife, Margie; daughter, Joanne Ohana (Moshe); grandchildren, Mario Borgerding (Anna) and Holly Balabanick (John); great-grandchildren, Joey, Charlize, Brady, and Miles; Sisters, Darlene Carlisle (Curt), Dianne “Buffy” Mobroten (Rich), and Rosemary Chavez (Frankie); many nieces and nephews; and his BEST friend, Kevin Boehmer.

John loved gardening, the outdoors and sunshine.  He enjoyed collecting, playing cards, and visiting with friends over a cup of coffee. He will be dearly missed.

Friends and family are invited to gather on Saturday, April 22^nd, at 1:00 for the Internment at Prairie Oaks Memorial Eco Garden, located at 8225 Argenta Trail, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077.

Age 91 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed from this life and into the loving hands of our Lord on April 6, 2023. He is survived by 8 children: Pam (Don) Blomquist, Laura (Peter) Colton, Jackie (Doug) Moe, Linda (Bill) Schoettle, Amy (Rob) Larsen, Richard Franzwa, Ken (Angela) Franzwa, and David (Jenny) Franzwa. He also leaves behind 20 grandchildren, his brother Gene, and many friends — especially those from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Inver Grove Heights and the Inver Glen Senior Community, where he’s lived since 2017.

Mel was born on Valentine’s Day, 1932 in St. Paul. He graduated from St. Agnes High School and then served his country in the Korean War as a Sergeant First Class in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division.

Following his military service, Mel attended the University of St. Thomas where he majored in chemistry. He then began a rewarding 34-year career at Economics Laboratories (EL) where he started as a chemist, worked in new product development, supported the sales team, and retired as Director of Marketing.

He met Audrey Hoople in December of 1959 at EL’s company Christmas party, where she worked as a secretary and typist. They were married on October 1, 1960. Together, they bought a house in Inver Grove Heights and raised their children. They were lifelong members of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Community where Mel served on the parish council and helped establish Neighbors, Inc. in 1972, a food shelf serving Dakota County. Mel continued to support Neighbors, Inc. throughout his career and retirement, volunteering with them for more than 40 years.

Mel loved music, especially patriotic tunes and polkas. He learned to play the accordion as a young man and often played at family gatherings where he also showcased his famous “Mel’s Chili.”

Mel will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and his loving caregivers at Inver Glen.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Inver Grove Heights on Saturday, April 15 at noon with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow. The family will then have a private burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Neighbors, Inc. or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Age 89 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away surrounded by family on April 7, 2023. Preceded in death by Margaret, his loving wife of 50 years. Survived by children, Patrick (Jennifer), William (Robyn), Mary “Molly”, Laurie (Tony) Kocanda; grandchildren, Caitriona, Cadence, Teige, Margaret, Sean & Wesley, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dave was an avid fisherman, hunter, hobbyist and entrepreneur. He enjoyed his evening Manhattan and a good game of cribbage. He will be greatly missed.

Mass of Christian Burial 11am Thursday, April 13 at the Church of St. Peter, 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota. Visitation 4-7pm Wednesday, April 12 at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, also 1 hour prior to Mass at church. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials preferred to St. Thomas Academy/Lethert Family Scholarship Fund.

Age 49 of Vadnais Heights

Of Vadnais Heights, MN passed away at the age of 49 on March 28, 2023 at United Hospital. She was preceded in death by father, William Rooney; sister, Nancy Rooney; father-in-law, William and brother-in-law, William Kettles III. Patty is survived by loving husband, Blake; mother, Lucy Rooney; sister, Cheryl (Greg Stoffel) Bonderson; brothers, Bob (Bernie), Brian (Betsy Day), and Mike (Teresa) Rooney; mother-in-law, Patricia L. Kettles, sister-in-law, Barbara Bates; and many nieces and nephews.

Patty was born on May 4, 1973 in St. Paul, MN. She graduated from Henry Sibley HS, University of Minnesota and also earned her MBA from St. Thomas University. She was a Director at Baker Tilly. She enjoyed traveling, golfing and spending time with her family, friends and coworkers. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Services at Church of St. Joseph, 1154 Seminole, W. St. Paul, on Friday, April 21. Visitation 11 AM – noon with Mass at 12 noon. Luncheon to follow. Private burial. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Animal Humane Society.