November 28, 1937 ~ January 2, 2026

Charles was a 1955 graduate of So. St. Paul High School and the University of Minnesota with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.  He then went on to serve as an officer on the aircraft carrier USS Hornet during the Vietnam conflict.  His career included working at Schjeldahl Mfg; head engineer at the copper mine in Globe, Arizona; designing “Hush Houses” in Crocket, Texas; Brown Tank and Tyler Mfg. in Minnesota.  Along the way he developed patents, raced formula fords, was a musician and always had interesting stories to tell.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Adeline (Krech) and Charles M Alsip; his sister, Cynthia Alsip; and nephew, Captain Dan Trudeau.  He is survived by his sister, Diane (David) Morgan; nephews, Michael (Karen) Trudeau and Ted Trudeau; along with loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 18th, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St E, Inver Grove Heights, with visitation 1-hour prior at church.  Interment Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery. Luncheon to follow.

Edward Bratvold Jr., age 85 of Inver Grove Heights, MN was called home to be with the Lord on February 4^th, 2026.

Born on March 10^th, 1940 in Maddock, North Dakota, Edward was the oldest son of Edward Sr. and Elsie (Smith) Bratvold. He was raised on the family farm until the age of 13, when his family moved to Minot, North Dakota. Though life later led him elsewhere, his love for the farm never left him. Each summer he returned to spend time on his grandmothers or a neighboring farm helping with the farm work. After graduating from Minot High School in 1958, Ed spent the summer working with a combine crew harvesting grain, traveling south and then back north through the harvest season. That following winter, while staying on the family farm, he met the love of his life, Diane Hagen. They moved to Inver Grove Heights in 1960 and were married in 1963, beginning a devoted marriage of 62 years. Together they raised their two beloved children, Brenda and Bradley.

Ed dedicated 42 years of service to Farmers Union Central Exchange, now CHS. Outside of work he and Diane shared a love of travel and explored many places around the world. Their faith was central to their lives, and they spent countless hours volunteering through their church and with AFS, a student exchange program. Through AFS, they welcomed Manuel Ponce from Bolivia into their home during Brenda and Bradley’s high school years. Manuel quickly became a cherished member of the family.

Edward is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his children, Brenda (Jeff) Nugent of Piedmont, South Dakota, and Bradley (Lisa) Bratvold of Birchwood, WI; and his 3 grandchildren, Matthew (Kari) Nugent of Rapid City, South Dakota, Katelyn Bratvold of Birchwood, Wisconsin, and Kyle Bratvold of St. Paul, Minnesota. He is also survived by Manuel (Fatima) Ponce, and their son Luis of La Paz, Boliva. Edward is further survived by his brothers, Warren (Geri) Bratvold of New Town, North Dakota, Darrel (Mona) Bratvold of Hackensack, Minnesota, and Marlin Bratvold of Minot, North Dakota; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elsie Bratvold; his nephew, Alec Bratvold; grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 28^th at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Visitation preceding the service from 10:00 – 11:00 am at church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Inver Grove Heights, MN to honor Edwards memory and the faith that guided his life. A special thank you to Health Partners Hospice and Bright Star Care.

Passed away after her long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease on February 5, 2026 at age 73.

She is survived by her husband, Dale Vitek, age 74 who will miss her more than words can express. She is predeceased by her father, Donald Carlsen; mother, Catherine Carlsen and brother, Jeffrey Carlsen.

Sandra was born April 1, 1952. She became a Respiratory Therapist and then a Registered Nurse in 1977. She worked at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital where she met her husband and then worked in a private home for forty years. She also worked at her husbands, Vitek Law Firm in South St. Paul, Minnesota for nearly forty years. She was passionate about rescuing Yorkies and adopting them for over forty years. She had three rescued Yorkies who survive her and sadly miss her and are now with her husband. She had a close group of friends who she had kept in contact since high school and met with regularly and who miss her dearly. She passed away at home with her husband caring for her. She was joyously married to her husband May 6, 1978. They have been continuously together since 1975 over fifty years. She loved all things pink.

The wake will be held at 10:00 a.m. with the Funeral following at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 13th, at the Roberts Funeral & Cremation Chapel Home, 8108 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55077. She then will be buried in the Roselawn Cemetery at 803 West Larpenteur Avenue, Roseville, Minnesota 55113 directly after the service.

Age 98 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away peacefully at her home on January 29^th, 2026.

Preceded in death by husband, Kenneth; brother, Wally Burrows and sister, Alice Martin.

Survived by sons Steven (Pam) and Gregory (Deb); daughters, Randi (Mike) and Lynn (Russ);10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Margery love to garden, shop, play cribbage, socialize and go to the casino with her girls.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, June 5^th, at Joseph’s Grill, 140 Wabasha St. S., St. Paul, MN 55107.

Private interment will be held at for Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 77 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away on December 13, 2025. Preceded in death by husband, Bruce; sister, Nelda. Survived by sons, Scott (Sonja) & Troy; granddaughter, Skylar; also other family & friends.

Mardelle loved to travel with her husband, Bruce.

Memorial Service 1:00 pm Saturday, February 14^th, with Visitation 11:00 am to 1:00 pm prior to the service at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights.

Jeanne Marie (Hanson) Carlson of Hugo, Minnesota, passed on January 14, 2026, at the age of 60. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Donald Carlson, and her father, John R. Hanson. Survived by her mother, Shirley Hanson; brother, Gregory Hanson, his wife Kristine Nogosek, and their children, David, Mark and Katelyn Hanson; Jeanne’s step-children who she loved as her own, Jessica Carlson, Joshua Carlson and Zachary Carlson, their life partners Arturas, Angie, and Christina,
respectively; Joshua’s children; aunts, uncles, and many cousins.

Jeanne graduated from Tartan High School in 1983, and Hamline University in December 1988. She worked in the construction industry for over 30 years, first, at Norcraft Companies until recruited away
by All, Incorporated’s management. She remained at All, Inc. which was eventually acquired by Building Material Distributors, leaving behind many friends at her passing.

Jeanne was a magnet who attracted children, and that attraction filled her with joy. She cherished the
time spent with Joshua’s children, Alexis, and Lucas, and his step-children MaKenzy, Collin, and Rylie.
Nothing, however, compares to the happiness she experienced during her time with her best friend and
husband, Don. Their love was evident as they doted on each other, their family, and shared memorable
times with their many close friends.

Jeanne was an avid reader devouring novels as quickly as they could be delivered. She loved working in
the kitchen alongside Don. She was also a lover of dogs, especially Sadie, their yellow lab.

Her passing leaves a great void in her family, but reunites her with those she held dear. Think of her
when you hear Jimmy Buffet songs, or have an opportunity to enjoy time with your family. Know that
her time spent with friends and family was special, and that she would do anything she could to aid a
friend as she valued those who she associated with.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Roberts Funeral and Cremation
Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55077. Gathering time from 1030 until
noon, followed by a brief service and a luncheon.

Passed away peacefully on January 27, 2026. Preceded in death by son, Teddy. Survived by loving wife of 61 years, Kathryn; sons, Clay (Michelle) and Andy (Sarah); daughter, Kate; grandchildren, Brode, Kennedy, Aidan, Michael and William; also other family and friends.

Clayton was born in St. Paul, MN in 1938.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1962 and was the first generation of his family to graduate from college.  He received his master’s degree in business later in life which was an accomplishment he was particularly proud of.

Clayton devoted 50 years of his professional career to working in Human Resources, including more than 18 years for Lake Region Manufacturing.  He spent the final two years of his life at St. Therese in Woodbury, where he received exceptional care and made many new friends.

Clayton was an artist, collector and avid car enthusiast who loved to restore and show classic cars.  He also loved music, movies, and model trains.  He was a man of faith who enjoyed leading his family in dinner prayer.

A Gathering a Family and Friends will be held from 9 to 10:30 am Thursday, February 5th, with a 10:30 am Funeral Service at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Interment to follow Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

August 29, 1933 – January 21, 2026  

Nancy Bünzli died peacefully in her home in Inver Grove Heights, MN on January 21, 2026.  

She is survived by children Ann, John, Jim, Peggy (spouse Alysha), and Bill (spouse Deborah); and grandchildren, Alex, Zoe, Beckett, Xavier, and Joshua “Moss”. Fred, her husband of 68 years, died in August 2025. 

Nancy was born in Louisville, KY in 1933 to Edith Timblin and Paul Hammond Ford. Her father managed large construction projects throughout the US, so growing up, Nancy and her family moved around the country. She recalls playing with the children of sharecroppers in Georgia, being at Fort Thomas when news of Pearl Harbor broke, and how, at the height of the depression, her father took a job clearing machinery at a factory overnight, (and, as he came home covered in machine grease, her mother would have him take off all his clothes on the porch).  The family lived in Kentucky, Ohio, and Georgia, where her father supervised the building of a prison. By the time Nancy was in college, they had settled in Garden City, New York.  

Nancy attended Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University), spent a year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, and earned a BA in French from Adelphi College. She was offered a fellowship to study at the Université de Bordeaux, but instead took a job teaching French at Stuart Hall, a women’s boarding school in Staunton, VA. It was around this time that, back in Garden City for the holidays, she met Fred (who, as the story goes, fell asleep next to her in church on Christmas Eve). They married in 1957 and began the series of adventures that would make up their almost 70 years together, travelling the world.  In the first 20 years of their marriage, they lived in eight different countries.  

In addition to being a homemaker for most of these years, she continued to teach French, English as a Second Language, and to substitute in numerous subjects. She also continued to study. At age 50, she earned an MA from Washington University in St. Louis. An avid reader and a true student of human nature, she also wrote prolifically. Recently, her book Vin Ordinaire, a chronicle of her life with Fred, was released. She had been working on the “sequel” up to the time of her death.  

In retirement, Nancy became “first mate” on a series of sailboats she and Fred owned. They sailed extensively along Florida’s gulf coast, often crossing from Pensacola to Clearwater overnight, and making a few harrowing trips across a major shipping lane to the Bahamas, just the two of them. During this time, they continued to visit their far-flung children and grandchildren. In recent years, they spent several months out of the year in Switzerland, a place Nancy came to think of as home.  

Friends and family will remember Nancy as a warm and loving person, someone who took an interest in everything and everyone around her. She lived her life embracing adventure, seeing the best in people, and making the most of the unexpected.  

 In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations to one of the following: 

 Association for the Prevention of Torture: https://www.apt.ch/donate 

 Children’s Minnesota:  https://give.childrensmn.org/page/34886/donate/1 

 Timber Hills Education Assistance Scholarship Fund 

https://preshomes.org/give/#give-today  

Please specify: “PH Site/Location:”  Timber Hills  “My Gift is for:”  Educational Assistance 

Age 95, of Inver Grove Heights, passed away on December 26, 2025. Loving dad, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. Survived by children Cindy (Terry Scott) Wiedewitsch, Cheryl (Paul) Golden, Jeff (Michele Gilb), Mark (Erin Hood); grandchildren Adam (Tannicha Vialva) & Peter Wiedewitsch, Sarah & Laura Scott, Carly & Griffin McKenzie, Kelcey Jo Gilb, Grace (Tom) Beissel, Michael (Bre Erickson) McKenzie; 10 great-grandchildren; brother, Joe, and many nieces, nephews and friends. Preceded in death by wife, Marilyn, son-in-law Michael Wiedewitsch, twin brother Lyle, sisters Beth, Dorothy, Barb and Beverly. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, at the Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion Street, Hastings, MN, starting at 4pm with memorial service at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Simley High School IGH Best Foundation for the benefit of the “Leslie B. McKenzie Scholarship” www.ighbestfoundation.com or the Golden Harbor Association in Crosslake, MN.

Age 86 of Welch, MN

Endearingly known as the proprietor for Hungry Point Inn Bed and Breakfast, Merriam came face-to-face with the Lord on January 7, 2026. Survived by sister, Judy Suelter; daughter, Cathy Chapman; son, Tom (Veronica); grandchildren, Katie, David, Sarah, Michael, Weston, Steven and Devin; great-grandchildren, Patrick, Claire, Emily, Gordon, Annie, Ellie, Cassidy and Freyja. Preceded in death by parents Clyde and Ione Kager; brothers, Timothy and Bud Kager.

Funeral Service, 1:00 PM Friday, January 16th, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 401 N. Bridge St., Cannon Falls, MN. Visitation ½ hour prior to service at church. Burial at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Sacred Heart, MN at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 17th, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Animal Arc in Hastings, MN.