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.

Age 97 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2022. Preceded in death by love of his life, Jean; 2 brothers; 2 sisters. Survived by daughters, Susan Murr & Kathy (Frank) Alexander; son, James (Victoria); 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren. Jim was a U.S. WWII Army Veteran. He was a master plumber who owned Jim Murr Plumbing until retiring in 1988. He also developed and built many buildings around South St. Paul including a mobile home park. Jim was Chair of the SSP Housing Authority amongst his positions with city affairs and was elected to many different government positions. He loved to spend time hunting and fishing at the Deer Acres Lodge in Effie, MN. An Irish wake is being held on Thursday, May 26th from 4-8 pm at Tinucci’s Restaurant, 396 21st St, Newport, MN.  Memorials preferred to Neighbors Inc., SSP.

Age 84

Passed away peacefully on Feb. 11, 2022. Preceded in death by parents, Anthony & Sylvia Dotty; 3 sisters, Ann, Esther & Marion; brother; Tony; daughter-in-law, Katie. Survived by loving husband of 60 years, Bob; daughter, Mary Lea (Kurt) Tulp; sons, Mike (Dawn), Dan & B. Jay (Michele); 11 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Nagel; many nieces, nephews & friends. Pinky touched many lives with her welcoming nature.  She served others without hesitation.  Her love shaped us all and for that we are lucky and forever grateful. Mass of Christian Burial 11 am Wednesday, Feb, 16^th, at the church of St. Joseph, 1154 Seminole Ave., West St. Paul. Visitation 9-11 AM prior to Mass at church. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Inver Glen Sr. Living, St. Croix Hospice or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.

Barbara Jean Malone Zimmer, age 88, died peacefully on December 13, 2021, in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Barbara was born in Portland Maine on February 5, 1933, to Eugene Cyril “Ole” and Florence Elizabeth (O’Leary) Malone. The family moved many times over the years, finally settling in Michigan. Barbara attended University of Detroit (Mercy), where she graduated with honors with a degree in English and met her future husband, George; they married in 1955. When George was in graduate school at Michigan State University they lived in student housing, and later in Southfield, where they both taught seventh-grade English – one in the public school, the other in the parochial school. They moved to Evanston, Illinois in 1964, where the family lived for over 50 years.

Along with their many friends, Barbara and George were active in civil rights issues, from marching in protests to posing as shoppers to expose discrimination in real estate and other retail operations. Through the League of Women Voters, Barbara studied housing discrimination and in 1977, she and longtime friend, Inge Kistler, rewrote the Evanston housing code. Barbara worked for the City of Evanston’s emergency housing services and taught in an off-campus program for teen-aged mothers.

Barbara received a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from National College of Education (now National Louis University) and in 1977 was elected to the School District 202 Board of Education, where she served until 1984. While caring for her husband, Barbara was a policy specialist for District 202.

In 1991, Barbara was hired to develop the Community Service Program at Evanston Township High School (ETHS). The program included a club and a credit-bearing course. Barbara served in that role until 2008 (retiring at age 75), developing student- and faculty-driven school-community partnerships that included work with Habitat for Humanity, Evanston’s soup kitchens, and other community organizations.

A lifelong Democrat, Barbara was active on the local, state, and national levels. She served as treasurer for Adlai Stevenson’s gubernatorial campaign and was fortunate to have met Barack Obama when he campaigned in Evanston for the U.S. Senate.

Barbara participated in the Catholic communities of St Athanasius and Sheil, was an avid bridge player, book-club member, and theater/concertgoer. Above all, Barbara loved spending time with family and friends at her home – especially on the front porch on Park Place. Barbara and George were fantastic hosts of reunions, parties – and their doors were open to all.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Florence Elizabeth (O’Leary) and Eugene Cyril “Ole” Malone; husband, George Willis; sons, Joseph and John Stephen; and sister, Patricia Schimminger. She is greatly missed by daughters, Jeanne Felicity Zimmer (Alfred W. “Pete” Steinke), Suzanne (Meyer) Lieberman; son, Alain Zimmer; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; her sisters, Joan Shaughnessy and Marjorie Elliott; as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews, and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 AM Saturday, May 28, at Sheil Catholic Community at Northwestern University, 2110 Sheridan Road, Evanston, with internment following at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 301 Chicago Avenue.

A reception/luncheon will follow from 1:00 -3:00 on Saturday, May 28 at the Farmhouse, 703 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201. https://www.farmhouseevanston.com/

Donations may be made to the Barbara Zimmer Fund at Evanston Township High School via The ETHS Foundation, 1600 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201 or online at https://www.supporteths.org The Fund will be used to support efforts related to Barbara’s deepest passion: students and community service. For more information: 847-424-7158.