Age 76 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Jan. 7, 2022. Preceded in death by parents, William & Delores; son, Steven; sister, Karen Schmidt. Survived by loving wife of 29 years, Pamela; son, Terry (Valerie); sister, Corinne (Charles) Orsborn; step-daughter, Tina Swanson; grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Melvin was a loving husband, father and grandfather who enjoyed the outdoors, was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He served 27 years on the IGH Fire Department. A gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 3:30-6 PM Friday Jan. 14^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Private interment Oak Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial preferred to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Philip Edward Peltier, (Phil, Frenchy, Pun) age 91 was born August 11, 1930 and passed away in comfort on December 31, 2021 after a long exceptionally, well lived life. Phil was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Audrey; And 5 children they raised together, Thomas (Anne Marie), Susan (Robert) Floum, Richard (Denise Taylor), Kay (Rich) Youngblom and John (Kelly); 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; 3 step-grandchildren; brother, Paul (Jo Ann); also, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Phil was born at Ancker Hospital in Saint Paul, MN. He was the son of Philip Adrian and Demerise Helen Peltier (Proulx). They raised he and his 6 siblings in a small home adjacent to the Mississippi River on Water Street, below the Smith Avenue bridge, near the mushroom caves. He learned much about shared chores, hunting, survival, hard work, swimming, and disciplines in his growing years. He attended Saint Matthews grade school and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1948. Philip was a US Army Korean War Veteran. After high school, he enlisted during the war and served at Fort Riley Kansas. He served for three years and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant. He had great respect for God, faith and country. His diary written during the service conveyed much of his commitment to his faith. After the war, he met the “Love of his life”, Audrey Staudacher. Phil crashed a party and saw Audrey in the kitchen. He approached her, and told her he was going to marry her. She said, “No way!!!”. After many persistent phone calls requesting a date from Phil, she finally said,” yes”. The rest is history!!! In addition to pursuing a wife and working, Phil completed various business courses which set him on course for a successful career in Retail and Direct sales of carpet and furniture. Along the way, he had several mentors whom Phil respected greatly and spoke highly of often. He was eternally grateful to them. He in turn, duplicated that role for many others. We, his family cannot begin to name those of you mentors, but you know who you are. Phil loved his work and He achieved many awards for top salesman year after year. He was determined to meet or beat his goals, always. He worked at 3M, Dayton‘s, Gabbert‘s, Curley furniture, and, “ so on and so forth“. In addition to retail sales which he enjoyed, he became a successful Sales Representative for Trend Mills, Horizon Carpet Mills, Shaheen and Best Buy Carpet Mills. He loved his work and the people with whom he worked. He was best friends with some of the legends working in the floor covering industry in the US. Every client was treated like a friend and he made dozens of connections for life. He attempted to try retirement for about two weeks but couldn’t take it. He continued in carpet sales until his mid 80’s. When not selling, he loved vacationing with his wife Audrey and friends. Dinner at the Cherokee Sirloin Room and Parker House was a popular stop. He enjoyed music especially if a sing-a-long. Dean Martin was a favorite and the big band style music kept his feet moving on the dance floor. He and Audrey also enjoyed many years at their lake home on Rush Lake. He always made hunting geese, duck, and deer a priority. There was never a fishing season missed! He loved the hunt or the catch and the organizing of the day or the trip. Eating the fresh fish or game was the pleasure of all to savor his cooking or grilling expertise. He loved golf with his buddies and a round with a son or grandson, too! Later, he volunteered at the VA and participated in delivering Meals On Wheels. In addition, he took up woodworking and canvas painting. Phil made uniquely crafted bird houses, signs with valued messages, beautiful yard décor, mosquito houses, wooden tulips, rooster folk art and many other detailed works of art. A brief summary, Phil had non-stop energy. Always had a project going or many in the works! In addition to his own projects, he was readily available and happy to help others with theirs. He was organized with checklists and to do lists. Dependable always. On time always. Responsibly and meticulously cared for all he worked hard for and owned. He may have been gone often working, hunting and fishing but we all knew we could depend on him to be there if we needed him. He had a great laugh and contagious smile!! He could dish it out as well as he could take it. A great story teller at times with a little help of embellishment!!! If he ever asked, “Did I ever tell you about the time….?” You had better leave the room or be ready to listen to a fishing or hunting story. Unbeknown to most of his family, Phil read his bible most days and typed out many note cards to remind him of the lessons the Lord was teaching him. We would like to share one of those with you:

“God Is interested in my problem.

Ask the Father to help. God is greater than my problems.

Father walk me through this problem.

Help me to trust you, not my thinking but your thinking. Take if you will

All fear and doubt out of my mind.

Forgive me for all the times that I did it my way.”

Many thanks to his caregivers at the Memory care unit whom treated him with special love and respect!!

Also, the family cannot express our appreciation for the outstanding care Phil received at the VA hospital in Minneapolis. They have gone over and beyond to excel from the person answering the phone, the volunteers, aides, nurses and doctors. Thank you!

Mass of Christian Burial 11am Friday, January 14^th at the Church of St. Thomas Becket, 4455 So Robert Trail, Eagan and can be viewed via livestream at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/7047763327. Visitation 4-7pm Thursday, Jan. 13 at Roberts Funeral Home 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights.  Also 10-11am prior to Mass at Church.  Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights. Memorials to Caring and Sharing Hands https://sharingandcaringhands.org/ or MaryKnoll Missionaries-Father John J. Lange https://www.maryknoll.org/.

The world lost a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Cloquette McNamara (Seerup), 71, of Inver Grove Heights, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on November 17, 2021 and due to complications passed away at home surrounded by loved ones, December 16, 2021

Survived by her childhood love together for 57 years and married for 46 years, Timothy; three daughters, Dawn (Jake) Erb, Tara (Steve) Negaard and Megan; seven grandchildren, Alex, Layne, Phoenix, Jace, Reid, Kira and Aspen; siblings, Robert (Edie) Seerup, Karen (Roger) Lawrence, and Rosie (John) Lagoo; beloved grand dog, Frank.

Preceded in death by parents, Peter and Helen Seerup; brother, Peter Jr. (Sandie) Seerup.

Cloquette was born in South St. Paul, Minnesota and was the youngest of five children.  She graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1969. She retired from Target Flight Services in spring of 2018 and was excited to start a new chapter in her life. She enjoyed working in her yard and going on long walks through the parks with her grand dog Frank but most of all being with her family. Her family meant the world to her, and she was the world to her family.  The beautiful memories they shared will be cherished forever.

 A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 14, 2022, at the Church of Assumption, 51 7^th St. W., St. Paul. Visitation one hour prior to mass. A Celebration of Cloquette’s life at noon – Croation Hall, 445 2^nd Ave. S, South St. Paul.

Our family would like to give a special thanks to the Mayo palliative care team, ICU Mayo Hospital for making special accommodations for us and the two women EMT’s of Northfield, MN for transporting her home.

Age 33 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away surrounded by family on December 18, 2021 of colon cancer. Survived by parents, David and Anne Larson; sisters, Sydney (Bret) Isakson & Meghan and many other family members. Alex was an outgoing, energetic and avid outdoorsman. He was also a talented carpenter where he worked on several concert tours, including Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato/Nick Jonas, Eric Church, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, which has allowed him to travel the world. His most current position was with Metallica’s WorldWired Tour. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Thursday, December 23^rd, at the Church of St. John Vianney, 840 19th Avenue North, South St. Paul. Visitation 9-11 AM prior to Mass at church. Special thanks to the Regions Cancer Care Team, especially Dr. Jahagirdar and N.P., Kris Engstrom.

Age 69 of Inver Grove Heights

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, Dec. 30th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN from 4-6 PM with a dinner to follow.  Private burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Age 89 of South St. Paul. Passed away on December 6, 2021 with his wife Phyllis by his side, after 66 years of marriage.

Born on September 9, 1932 in St. Paul, the fifth of six children. He graduated from Johnson High School in 1950 and worked at Gillette while attending Globe Business College. He started at Great Northern Railroad in February 1955. Tom married Phyllis Avenriep on November 5, 1955. Together they were blessed with three sons and three wonderful daughters-in-law, Craig (Charlene), Steve (Susan)& Gary (Tammy). They have four grandchildren, Peter (Estelle), Brooke (Iain), Lauren (fiancé, Nick Hamer), Megan; sister and brother-in-law, Helen & Tom Bohrer and many nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Diana Lewandowski.

Preceded in death by parents, Joseph & Helen; sisters, Lucille (Paul) Harrenstein and Irene (Gene) Leibel; brothers, Joseph, Frank (Jackie), Louis; father and mother -in-law, Walter & Elizabeth Avenriep; brothers-in-law, Tom (Deanna) & Jerry Avenriep.

Tom retired from Burlington Northern Railroad on July 31, 1991 after 36 ½ years in general accounting. Tom and Phyllis enjoyed traveling and he especially loved their place in Voyager Village, Wisconsin and their winters in Brownsville and South Padre Island, Texas. He enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and golfing with family and friends, television sports and reading.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 am on Monday, December 27, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church, 749 6^th Ave. So., South St. Paul, MN.  Visitation 6-9 pm on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. E., Inver Grove Heights, MN. Visitation also one hour prior to the Mass at the church. Memorials preferred to donor’s choice.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/8069158805

Age 83 of Inver Grove Heights

Don E. Richardson, age 83, of Inver Grove Heights Minnesota, formally of Arkansaw Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on December 3^rd, 2021.

Don was born on February 12, 1938, in Waterville township, Wisconsin to loving parents Charles and Elda (Tulip) Richardson. Don was the ninth of ten children and always spoke fondly of his childhood and the memories created on the family farm.  He graduated from Arkansaw High School in 1956. Soon after, Don met the love of his life and best friend, Karol Weissinger, at the Recreational Hall in Arkansaw Wisconsin. They were married 61 years.

One of Don’s greatest passions in life was driving a truck. He was lucky enough to establish a lifelong career in this and enjoyed every day he went to work. Throughout his career he had the opportunity to visit the lower 48 and most of Canada. Don started down this path as soon as he was old enough to have a driver’s license by hauling milk. Then in his early twenties, he became a self-taught over-the-road semi driver and had a successful first haul along the East Coast and to New York City. When his kids were young, Don drove locally for Holiday. Once his kids were older, he took a job for Wayne Transport which was arguably his favorite position. Throughout the course of his career, he was an owner-operator of many semis including his preferred make, Peterbilt!

Although he loved his career, Don’s favorite job was as a dad and grandpa. He and Karol raised their two children, Kyle and Kay, in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. From road trips together to family nights in, Don and Karol created many wonderful memories with their kids. Once Kyle and Kay were grown, Don not so subtly asked for grandchildren by giving a baby name book to Kay as a wedding gift. His wish was granted! He had three loving grandchildren, Leah, Krista, and Jay. Don built precious memories with them by spending time around the table playing games (cabin rules applied), giving “cow-kisses”, or reminiscing about good times with a twinkle in his eyes.

When Don retired, his truck had over a million miles on it! His steering wheel hung proudly in his home for all to see. In retirement, Don continued his passion for driving by working for Durand Public Schools as a school bus driver. He particularly enjoyed his time driving for the local Amish communities.

Besides trucking, one of Don’s lifelong passions was collecting. From beer cans, marble eggs, and belt buckles, to a wide range of movies and music, Don found many treasures over the years. Some of his favorites included music by Luke the Drifter and any movie with John Wayne. Don’s collections grew through attending auctions with his son-in-law, Mark, where their families never knew what they would come home with.

Don’s family loved him unconditionally but never quite understood his odd food cravings or colorful taste in fashion. There always needed to be yellow-mustard sardines and Vienna sausages in the pantry. He also loved aged German Brick cheese, which he was not allowed to keep in the house due to its smell–though he would remind anyone who questioned his tastes, “You don’t eat with your nose!” One time, Don convinced his grandchildren to try some of his favorite cheese. Needless to say, they didn’t try it a second time.

Don always had a smile on his face and stories and jokes to share. Even in the last couple months of Don’s life, when he was on hospice, he continued to make memories with friends and family. He treasured visits with anyone who walked through his door, often asking, “Who’s coming to see me today?” Don’s family thanks Brookdale Hospice Care for their exceptional and compassionate care and support during his last months.

Don was a wonderful and loving husband, dad, grandpa and friend. He was a kind-hearted and friendly guy who will be missed deeply by all who knew him. Don’s family takes comfort in knowing he and Karol are waltzing across Heaven together and he is peacefully enjoying all his favorite tunes including “What a Wonderful World”. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Elda (Tulip); wife Karol; sisters Margaret Rasmussen, Lorraine Arthur, Faye Ingli, and Barbara Klemetson; brothers Cyril, Bernard, Rex, Dean, and Rodney Richardson; and granddaughter Krista Rolfzen.

Don is survived by his loving family; son Kyle, daughter Kay (Mark) Rolfzen, grandchildren Leah (Shane) DeSantis, Jay Rolfzen (Maria Gaertner); several nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.

Service will be held at a later date with an internment at Arkansaw Memorial Cemetery in Arkansaw, Wisconsin.

Age 79 of Inver Grove Heights

Julia Lea Frazier Houliston passed away December 4, 2021 at home.  She was born March 4,1942 in New Orleans, LA, to T. J. Frazier and Alma Lea Holder Frazier.  Julia grew up in Wichita Falls, TX, graduated from Wichita Falls High School and attended North Texas State University.  She was Miss Princess Phone for Southwestern Bell Telephone. While working at Shepherd Air Force base, Julia met Jerome (Jerry) Arthur Houliston. They were married on August 5, 1961 and moved to Minnesota after Jerry’s discharge from the Air Force.

Julia was sixth generation native Texan, a loving mother, grandmother and devoted wife.  She was a seamstress, owning her own business designing and sewing bridal dresses, bridesmaid and flower girl attire, and later crafting doll clothes.  She knitted hats and scarves for cancer patients.

She was preceded in death by her parents T. J. and Alma Frazier, sister Deborah Lindsey and daughter Carol Houliston. Survivors include husband of 60 years Jerry, children Mark (Teri) of Virginia, Stephen (Susan) of Minnesota, David (Darla) of Kentucky, and Rebecca of Oregon; grandchildren Kassie (Andy), Vanessa (Nick), Neal, Abby, Alexander and Nathan; siblings Jerry (Beverly) Frazier, Linda (Billie) Jackson and Joyce Melanson; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

A memorial service is planned for January 11, 2022 from 9:00 to 11:00am at Roberts Funeral Home in Inver Grove Heights, MN.