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.

Age 54 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 17, 2022 after a lengthy battle with diabetes. Preceded in death by parents, John & Marian Mitchell. Survived by loving wife, Julie; children, Amy, Travis, Brady & Megan; granddaughter, Luna; brother, Craig (Diana); sister, Mona; nieces, nephews, and so many friends.

Todd loved to spend time with his family, friends, and pups. He enjoyed softball, bowling, hunting, fishing, bonfires, grilling/cooking, pull tabs & playing cards. His huge heart and never-ending humor will be missed by all. Todd – we will always love you just as you are!

Memorial Service 11 AM on Friday, February 25th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10:00 AM prior to the service. A Celebration of Life will continue immediately following the service at DrKula‘s 32 Bowl, 6710 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. At Todd’s request, casual attire is STRONGLY encouraged!

Zachary (Zach) Joel Elwell went to be with his Lord and Savior on February 18, 2022. He died in his home in Farmington, Minnesota surrounded by family, after a courageous 21-month battle with cancer. Zach was 43 years old.

Zach was born in Waconia, Minnesota on June 11, 1978. He is survived by his wife, Kristen and children, James (age 16), Nicholas (age 13) and Sofia (age 11.) He also leaves behind his father, Greg (Trisha) Elwell and mother, Ann Latendresse; sisters, Jessica (Jason) Berreth, Tiffany (Robert) Haider, and Rebecca (Curtis) Zimmerman; grandmother, Gloria Elwell; mother-in-law, Susan Duning; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Olson and 13 nieces and nephews. Zachary also leaves a large extended family and so many friends who loved him dearly.

Zach, went to school in Eagan Minnesota and attended both Eagan High School and the School of Environmental Studies. Zach was a ‘hands on’ kind of person and after high school worked in various jobs where he could use his many skills and talents. He worked for a cable company doing commercial installs, and then went into a career in plumbing for over 20 years.

Zach played hockey when he was young and he loved being able to coach his son Nick’s hockey team. Zach was so creative and loved many hobbies, with fishing being right at the top of his list. One of his favorite places was Cozumel Mexico and he loved to snorkel there.

Zach had a passion for life and the people in his life, and will be deeply missed by so many.

A funeral service will be held at Woodcrest Church, 525 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55123 on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM with a luncheon following.

Age 80 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 17, 2022.  Preceded in death by parents, Glen & Florence; brothers, Richard & Dennis. Survived by loving wife of 55 years, Josephine; daughter, Lisa Wood; grandchildren, Ashley, Brenden & Chelsea Kiewel; sister, Margo (Irving) Nasby; also other family and friends. Jim loved his pets, working on puzzles, and helping care for his grandchildren. He also enjoyed his time playing hockey at So. St. Paul High School, 59’-61’. Jim was known for his kind spirit, hard work, and always bringing a smile to everyone’s face. He will be dearly missed by all of his loved ones.

Private family services are being held.  Special thanks to the Allina Hospice team- especially to Amy and Molly who took such great care of him.

Age 69

Passed away peacefully on February 15, 2022.  Preceded in death by parents, Albert & Marie; brother, Gary; nephews, Ryan & Jeff. Beloved brother of Wayne (Paula), Sheila (Steve) Peterson, Jim, Julie Haugen & Mary Manteuffel; uncle to many nieces and nephews. Dave was an avid Twins, Wild & Vikings fan.  Private family service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights.