Age 92 of South St. Paul

Passed peacefully on March 15, 2022.  Preceded in death by husband, Deane; son, David; parents, Matti & Hannah; sister, Kerttu; brothers, Eino & Antti.  Survived by daughter Andrea (Joe); grandchildren, Rebecca (Scott), Garrett (Sarah), Jake (Danielle), and Jordan; NINE great-grandchildren, Riya, Gabby, Charlotte, Andee, Teddy, Haddie, Madison, Emily, and David.  A quiet woman with a serving heart and independent spirit; she was loved.  Join us at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN on Thursday, March 24th for a visitation from 4-6 pm with a brief service at 6pm.  Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 74 of Inver Grove Heights

Preceded in death by husband, Michael D; parents, Albert & Hulda Firchau; son-in-law, Michael Schule; sister, Betty Lou; Robert Hale; brothers, Duane, Harland, David and Richard. Survived by significant other and partner of 27 years, Richard Peterson; son, Matthew (Katrina); daughter, Angela (Mark) Hammer; grandchildren, Skylar (Taylor), Abagale (Derek) Alexander, Michael Hale, Elizabeth, Gavin, Matthew, Abigail Hemauer; great-grandchildren, Avery Alexander, Noah Hemauer, Madelyn Hemauer, Myles Alexander; sister, Marion (Richard) Parent & Darlene Gohr-Harper; brother, Roger Firchau; also nieces, nephews & friends.  From St. James, Minnesota. A humble woman with an adventurous spirit, a smile of sunshine and a heart of love that was bestowed on all who meet her. Patsy traveled the world and touched so many lives. No one was ever a stranger to her, they were just a friend she hadn’t met yet. A military wife, mother and grandmother, she always stepped up without question to take care of the children when a deployment came up or Army training that took her husband or daughter away from home. Her children, grandchildren, family and friends were her world. It is with deep pain that we say goodbye to someone who was truly very special, an angel who walked among us all. Funeral Service 11 am Monday, March 21st at the Church of St. Peter, 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota Heights.  Visitation 9-11 am prior to the service.  Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.  Memorials preferred to donor’s choice.

Age 94

Preceded in death by parents, Alford and Alphonzine and brother, Bob.  Survived by his wife, MaryAnn; sisters, Lori, Kate & Mary; children, Bill & Jeanne, Mary Kay & Dewey, Steve & Sue, Dan & Diana; 8 grandchildren & 9 great-grandchildren.  Bill was a US Army Korean War Veteran.  He graduated from Johnson High School and retired from Northern States Power Co.  Funeral Service 11 am Thursday, March 17^th at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St E, Inver Grove Heights and can be live streamed at http;//emanuellutheranchurch.org/.  Visitation 9-11 am prior to the service at the church.  Memorials preferred to Emanuel Lutheran Church.

Age 89 of Woodbury, Formerly of Magnolia, DE

Passed away peacefully on March 10, 2022.  Preceded in death by wife, Mary.  Survived by children, Victoria (George) Shahan, Debra (Greg) Smith, Linda Rice, Laurence Jr. (Susan); step-children, Patricia (Robert) Polski, Daniel (Cheri), David (Judy) & Robert (Annalisa) Espersen; grandchildren, Gregory, Brandon, and Julie Smith, Laurence J Lang III, Mark and Anastasia Rice, George Shahan Jr. & Kenneth Joseph Shahan; great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Angel Marie and Cody Shahan, Emerald, Aspen, Mark James; step-grandchildren & step-great-grandchildren. Larry retired after serving 23 years in the US Air Force serving in the Korean War and also served 10 years in the Reserves. He attended the University of Minnesota, Furman University in South Carolina and the University of Omaha. Larry was the head athletic trainer at Delaware State University for many years where he went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Special Education and History.  He loved classical music, was an avid fisherman and a story teller who loved a good joke and had a great sense of humor. Funeral Service 11 am Friday, March 18^th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 am prior to the service. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 91 of South St. Paul

Passed away on March 9th, 2022 at the Presbyterian Home in Inver Grove Heights.  Kathy, who grew up in Sleepy Eye, MN, was a nurse at Divine Redeemer Hospital and finished her career as a school nurse for SSP Schools. She taught CCD classes at Holy Trinity, was involved in Cursillo Weekends with the church. She was an avid sports fan for all of her children and grandchildren. She graduated from the Practical Nursing School in Mankato.  Kathy is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce; daughter, Karrie Marie; parents, Kenneth Murry, Al Stenzel and Maryce Murry Stenzel; sister, Elaine; three brothers, Kenny, Chuck and Robert. Survived by four sons, Kurt (Susie), Bryan (Marsha), Paul (Mary) & Tom (Kris); grandchildren, Ben (Dagney), Chad (Brandi), Andrea (Michael), Robb (Thera), Megan (Matt), Daniel, Kiya, Karrie, Philip, Michael & Katie; great-grandchildren, Logan, Hudson, Ellyn, Brynn, Sophie, Brody, Levi, Aubrey, Teddy & Rorie. Kathleen, who touched so many lives, was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter, sister, teacher, nurse, and friend. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 AM Thursday, March 31^st, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd Street East, Inver Grove Heights MN. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, any memorials will be donated to South St. Paul Open Foundation.

Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother

Age 88 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully on March 6, 2022.  Preceded in death by husband, Glen; granddaughter, Tanya Denzer-Peterson. Survived by sons, Steven (Ardith), David (Diane), Robert (Alisa); grandchildren, Tony Denzer, Angela (Nick) Dubej, Tina (Chris) Lonsky, Cory (Kayla) Denzer, Nicole (Kenny) Chirhart, Rick Denzer (fiancé, Cecilia) & Kayla (Nick) Ruddle;15 great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Shirley) Gabriel & Kenneth (Diane) Gabrielle; also many nieces, nephews and friends. Eleanor worked for over 40 years with the IGH School District as a head cook. Mass of Christian Burial 12 Noon on Thursday, March 10^th, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72^nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 11 AM – 12 Noon prior to Mass. Interment at St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery. Special thanks to the caring 3^rd floor doctors and staff at Woodwinds Hospital.

Age 75, of Inver Grove Heights

April 16, 1946 – March 3, 2022

Cheryl grew up in St. Paul and built a beautiful life with her husband and forever love, Marlon in Inver Grove Hgts. She was a passionate “keeper” of the family, had a flair for fashion, and she enjoyed her time in Vegas. Cheryl is survived by her devoted husband, Marlon; daughters, Kristine (Gary) Chirhart and Jennifer (John Hartung) Danner; grandchildren, Sarah (Donte), Jeffrey (Jessica), Kenny (Nicole), Aleczander, and Bryan; great grandchildren, Kallie, Alanah, Rhett, Zachary and new Great-Grandbaby on the way. She is preceded in death by infant son, Jeffrey Louis; parents, August and Eleanor Geiger and brother, Dennis. To say we will miss you will never be enough. Love Remains; Forever. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8 at 4 pm with Service at 6:30 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Age 81 of South St. Paul

Preceded by parents, Sidney & Genevieve Thelen.  Survived by husband of 61 years, Lawrence; children, Carrie Van Horn, Sharon Van Horn, Christine Van Horn, Joan (Blake) Schenian, Todd (Sarah) Van Horn; grandchildren, Samantha Schenian (Sean Sloan), Jonathan, Joseph & Mikaela; great-grandchildren, Riley, Rooster & Rose; sisters, Joyce (Scott) Bruce, Sandra Thelen, also other relatives and friends.  Shirley provided daycare for over thirty years.  She enjoyed her grandchildren and was a devout Catholic.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 am Wednesday, March 16^th at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 408 3^rd St. N., South St. Paul.  Visitation 1 hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.

Age 97

Born on 12/6/1924, passed away 2/26/2022.

Preceded in death by husband, Robert, of 58 years, parents, Robert & Amalie Dittmer; sisters, Eleanor, Marie & Mathilda; brothers, Arnold, James & Robert.  Survived by son, Tom (Jill) Yanz and special friends Larry & Dianne Collette, Eric Petry; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Born on a farm in Wheatland, ND, Phyllis travelled to elementary school by horse and buggy and later on horseback.  She graduated from Kohler School of Nursing, Rochester, MN; her last 6 months of nursing education was at Seattle Naval Hospital.  After 9 months training, she was able to enroll in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps.  She was employed by the Veterans Administration Hospital in Minneapolis, MN for 28 years and retired in 1985.  Phyllis was a member of the St. Paul Dog Training Club.  She performed at the MN State Fair with her dog, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  In 1968 she and her husband bought their first quarter horse.  They soon became involved in all aspects of the quarter horse breed.  She became a part owner of a stallion and was always involved in breeding, foaling out mares, riding showing and competing in many horse shows.  She won many awards and was a MQHA Hall of Fame member.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Wednesday, March 9^th, at St. Joseph’s Church, 13900 Biscayne Ave. W. Rosemount and can be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/667092044. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to Mass. Phyllis will be laid to rest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Cemetery, Hastings, MN at a later date.

In honor of Phyllis’s memory, memorials can be directed to Wounded Warriors or donor’s choice.  A special thanks to the Lilydale Senior Living Nursing Director, Sue, and Assistant, JoAnn, and all the staff for their care of Phyllis.

Age 58 of Inver Grove Heights

Called Home peacefully with her husband by her side on Feb. 19, 2022.

Preceded in death by father and mom, Robert and Betty Buchele; loving son, Alex Tourville; nephew Dylan Burdick. Survived by loving husband, Ralph; son, Robert; mother, Mary Zeverino; step-daughter, Ashley; grandchildren, Tayler & Clara; siblings, Kathy (Wes) Burdick, Mike Aune, Tom (Angela) Lund & Joe Hasslen; also nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Karla and her twin sister found joy by working together to lend a helping hand to those in need even if it was just a smile and a warm embrace. When Karla wasn’t helping others, she loved to do her crafts, watch her shows with her husband and spend time going to antique & craft stores. Funeral Service 11 AM Saturday, March 5^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9-11 AM prior to the service. Interment Calvary Cemetery.