Wood, James H.
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.
Gorr, David Lynn
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.
Murr, James E. “Jim”
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.
Inserra, “Pinky” Lorraine S.
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, 16th, 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.
Zimmer, Barbara J.
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.
Jablonski, John J.
Age 83 of South St. Paul and Inver Grove Heights
Passed away peacefully with family on February 4, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife, Roberta (Bobbi); children, Jeanne (Carl) Lojovich, Carole (Fred) Boelitz and John (Jen) Jablonski; grandchildren, Sarah Lojovich, Josh Lojovich, Annika Boelitz, Sam Boelitz, Nick Jablonski and Lauren Jablonski; brothers, Charlie (Arlene) Jablonsky, Donny (Margie) Jablonsky and Larry (Shirley) Jablonsky; and so many family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Friday, May 13th, at the Church of St. John Vianney, 789 17th Ave. N., South Saint Paul, MN. Visitation 1 hour prior. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John Vianney or the charity of their choice.
Geffre, Edward
Age 94 of Inver Grove Heights.
Passed away peacefully with family close by. Preceded in death by wife, Irene; 3 granddaughters; son-in-law, Dan Chilefone; brother, Ray Geffre, sister, MaryAnn Pfliger. Survived by children, Dennis (Karen), Linda (Dan) Hoffmann, Sandy Chilefone, Debby Geffre Casillas, David (Rebekah), Adam “Chris” (Nikki) & Katrina (Matt) Hemauer; 25 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; sisters, Alma Grosz, Agnes Wald & Irene (Ray) Zacher; also other family and friends. Edward never sat still and he loved being surrounded by his family. He was always ready to help anyone in their time of need. He enjoyed teasing and getting a reaction out of anyone being quiet. His famous departing words for family & friends were: “May the Good LORD be with you”. He spent a lifetime telling everyone that “The Good LORD has been good to me.” Throughout his last year, Edward exclaimed daily, “The LORD has blessed me.” Visitation 4-8:30 PM Thursday, Feb. 10th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Friday, February 11th, Rosary at 9:30 AM, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 749 6th Ave. S., South St. Paul.
Trace, Carol Jean
91 years old
Passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on 02/01/22. Preceded in death by her husband, Donald. Survived by sons, Steve (Brenda) & Jon (Michele); daughter, Terri Pieper (Mark); 5 grandchildren & 2 great granddaughters. Carol loved her family, playing bridge, sewing, gardening & cooking. She had a strong faith in God, which created a lifelong positive attitude. Carol was a wonderful, caring person who brought joy to those around her. She will be greatly missed. Thank you to Timber Hills & Optage Hospice for their care. A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held from 4-7 PM Monday, February 7th, with a 6 PM Prayer Service at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Cottrell, Myrna Kay
81 years old
Passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022. Preceded in death by parents, Ronald and Beulah Graham. Survived by husband, Doug Cottrell; brother, Bob Graham (Carol); son, Dana (Jenn); daughters, Carrie (Ted) Moberg & Amy; grandchildren, Douglas, Graham, Katherine, Ayden Grace, Sam; former daughter-in-law, Nancy; other family and friends. Myrna loved to spend time with her family. She enjoyed cooking and family gatherings. She had a passion for flowers and her flower gardens. She loved to spend time at her children and grandchildren’s activities. Her indominable spirit and her sense of humor guided her through her life. A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held 4-7 PM Thursday, February 3rd, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Private interment. A special thanks goes out to the teams at Minnesota Oncology and Cardigan Ridge.
Riesch, Bernita Ann “Nini”, “Bernie” (Fox)
Age 86,
Died peacefully at home, in her sleep, after battles with multiple health issues over the past several months. Bernie enjoyed a long and successful career as a legal secretary at 3M. She spent her retirement with family and friends, leading a strong prayer life, volunteering for charities and cheering for her favorite sports teams. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings. She is survived by children Patricia (Steve), Jill (David) and William; grandchildren Kyle (Katie), Rachel (Aaron), Linnea, Tyson, Nathalie, Cole, Quinn and Cullen; great grandchildren Hadley, Audrey, Brecken, Christopher, Cecilia and Anastasia. Funeral Mass at St. Augustine (408 3rd St. N., South St. Paul) on Wednesday, February 2nd, at 11:00. Visitation at 9:30 immediately preceding. Lunch at Southview Country Club (239 Mendota Rd., West St. Paul) immediately following.