Age 66,

Died on September 2, 2024 of cardiac arrest.  He was a 1975 graduate of Harding High School, St. Paul, MN.  After attending Graceland College in Iowa for one year, he was hired as a press operator at West Publishing/Thomson Reuters, a career that lasted 45 years until he retired in 2022.  Bob loved taking road trips and drives in the country, watching sports, trying new restaurants, and doing Wordle and Crosswords.  He was also an avid reader and Trivia champion.  He is survived by Sandy Seidl, the love of his life.  Also surviving him are his mother, Walli Sherseth; three sisters, Barbara (Scott) Soby, Nancy (Tim) Ressler, and Gail Sherseth, along with many other relatives, and his cat, Harry.  He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Sherseth.  No services will be held at this time.  In remembrance of Bob’s life, the family suggests taking a nice drive in the countryside, basking in the wonder of nature and appreciating every precious moment of life on this earth.

Age 69 of Inver Grove Heights, MN

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 30, 2024 after short battle with ALS.

Survived by loving husband of 51 years, Arlin; son, Aaron (partner, Jessica); daughter, Carlie (partner, Jen); sisters, Linda, Sue, Tracy & Lisa; also other family and friends.

Kay loved to spend time with her family, go on roadtrips, explore the outdoors, and decorate.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday, October 19^th, with a time of sharing at 12:30 pm at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights. Reception will follow from 1:00 pm on at Jersey’s Bar & Grill, 6449 Concord Blvd, Inver Grove Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are preferred to the ALS Association.

https://secure.alsnetwork.org/site/TR/Events/General?px=1125506&pg=personal&fr_id=1130

Age 87 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on August 29, 2024. Preceded in death by husband, Joseph; sisters, Donna Vogan, Judy Haley. Survived by children, Jackie Ware, Rebecca (William) Atchison, Kathy Ware; grandchildren, Kylen, Konner, Jolena; siblings, Charles (Ginny) Griffin, Leonard (Judy) Griffin, Tracey (Doug) Bagby, Greg Griffin also other family and friends.

Her life was a testament to love, faith, and joy. A devoted member of her church, and follower of Jesus, she found great happiness in nurturing her family and tending to her flowers.

Visitation 5:00 – 7 :00 pm Thursday September 5^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Funeral Service 11:00 am Friday, September 6th, at Southside Baptist Church, 5613 So. Robert Trail, Inver Grove Hts. with visitation 10:00 – 11:00 am prior to the service at church.

There will also be a Funeral Service on 11:00 am Monday, September 9th at Patton Funeral Home, 121 N. Main St., Huntsville, Missouri.  Visitation 10:00 – 11:00 am prior to the service. Interment Walnut Hills Cemetery, Armstrong, Missouri.

Age 80 of West St. Paul, MN

Passed away August 30^th, 2024.

Dianne Rettinger, 80, joined her husband, Paul, in heaven on August 30, 2024. Born in Spring Valley, WI, the daughter of Fern (Murray) and LaVern Moldenhauer on February 27, 1944.

In 1960 the family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. Dianne received the extra services she needed after having major back surgery. She experienced many physical challenges due to surgery complications, yet she always had a positive attitude and inspired others to complain less and appreciate more.

She was successful in opening “Dianne’s Squeeze-In Coffee Shop”, and this is where she met her husband, Paul, who was the Stewart Sandwich rep. They were married June 28, 1969 and started their family shortly after.

Preceded in death by husband, Paul Rettinger; parents, LaVern and Fern Moldenhauer. She is survived by son, Greg Rettinger (Deborah); daughter, Stacie Rettinger; and three grandchildren, Libby, Emily, and Erica Rettinger; sisters, Sally Keller (Steve) & Yvonne Wilske (Rocky); nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 4-7 pm Tuesday, September 10^th at Roberts Funeral Home 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Hts.  Funeral Service 11:00 am Wednesday September 11^th at Eastern Heights Lutheran Church, 616 Ruth St. N., St. Paul, MN with visitation from 10-11am prior to service. Interment 11:30 am Thursday, September 12^th Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Dianne’s funeral service will be livestreamed on the Eastern Heights Lutheran Church website.  Please use this link.  The service will be available on their YouTube page after the service.

Loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great-grandfather

Age 95, of Mendota Heights, MN

Passed away peacefully on August 22, 2024. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth, siblings and granddaughter, Rachel Ruth. Survived by his six children: Sharon Ferrara (Tony), Nancy Klocow (Dennis), Jerome (Bonnie), Corinne Hohenwald (Mark), Jennifer Jacobs (Joel) and Joel; nine grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren and his brother Martin (Darlene).

Al was born in Tomah, WI, a dairy farming community. After graduating from high school at 16 years of age, he moved to St. Paul where he worked at 3M. He then was called to serve in the army and did duty in the Korean War. Upon returning to the States, he and Ruth were married where they lived in a one- bedroom apartment in St. Paul. They built a new home in Mendota Heights in 1955 where they raised 6 children and lived happily in for 66 years.

Al had various jobs that included Ebert Coffee Company, Model Laundry and Cutco, which he did with integrity, kindness and a smile. In his 50’s, he and Ruth started Gerke Dry Cleaners with their son Joel, which they successfully managed well into their 80’s.

He had a wonderful singing voice and everyone who visited with him would enjoy a song. He is dearly missed, and his love of the Lord lives on in the hearts of his family forever.

A private family Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice of Midwest, Brightstar and the Inver Glen Senior Living staff. Memorials preferred to Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 115 Crusader Ave., W. St. Paul.

Passed away on August 8, 2024.

Survived by sons, Michael (Kim) & William; grandchildren, Tony Osterkamp (Autumn) & Kylie Palechek; great-grandchild, Zander; brothers, Harold Jr “Bud” Herme (MaryKaye) & Randy Herme (Andrea); many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. Memorial Service 11 AM Thursday, November 14th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 7600 Cahill Ave E, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service at church.

Age 104 of Inver Grove Heights, formerly of South St. Paul.

Passed away peacefully on August 12, 2024. Preceded in death by husband, Jay; 4 brothers and 4 sisters. Survived by son, Jeff (Wendy); daughter, Debbie; grandson, James (Laura); also other relatives and friends.

Lillian lived a full life, with a kind heart, generous spirit and infectious good nature that drew people to her. She was devoted to her faith, her friends and her family.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am. Friday, August 16^th, at the Church of St. John Vianney, 840 19^th, Ave. N., South St. Paul. Visitation 10:00–11:00 am prior to Mass at church. Entombment Resurrection Cemetery.

Age 90 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 1, 2024. Preceded in death by husband, Edward; grandson, Colin Rahn & baby Rebeck. Survived by daughters, Ann (Kevin) Rahn, Lisa (Kristofer) Rebeck & Amy (Steven) Solberg; grandsons, Dylan & Cameron Rahn; granddaughter, Iris Solberg; special friend, Al Willenbring; & other family and friends.

Joyce Marie Elmquist was born on March 20,1934.  She was the second daughter born to Arthur and Agnes Elmquist.  The first daughter was her best friend/sister Joan.  She grew up in Minneapolis near Lake Nokomis and went to Roosevelt High School where she skipped a grade and was a graduate of the 1950-1951 class.  She attended River Falls for a year and then went to the University of Minnesota graduating with a degree in Education.  During this time she had various jobs.  One at the Nile theater and the other at Gray’s Drug in Dinkytown.   She was also a member of Kappa Kappa Lambda.

After graduation she set off to California and then to Michigan to teach elementary school.  Eventually she came back to Minnesota and started a teaching job in South St Paul where she met a coworker named Mrs. Dolan who set her up on a blind date with Edward Abas.  She ended up marrying the handsome suitor in September 27, 1958.  They had 3 girls Ann, Lisa and Amy.

Joyce was an excellent seamstress.  She sewed a lot of her children’s clothing and patched up things that others thought were unrepairable.  She made school dance clothes out of bed sheets and made all of her granddaughter, Iris’s Halloween costumes.  She was a regular at her two grandson’s, Dylan and Cameron, sporting events.

She had a huge imagination and was very creative.  Taking usual things and making them her own creation was part of who she was.   Birthday parties included pin the bow on the girl instead of pin the tail on the donkey.  In her later years, she invited anyone she knew to come over for “Art Night” which included either drawing or painting.

Joyce was an avid reader and a member of many book clubs.  She played a mean game of cards and enjoyed meeting with other card players at the Senior Centers near her home and playing with family and friends.  She loved jigsaw puzzles which she passed on to her kids.

Cooking was not her forte but she tried her best to have a meal on the table every night but was highly afraid of it not being cooked enough which resulted in a lot of dried meat and overcooked vegetables.  No spice either because she was Scandinavian.  She made muffins in the oven when it was 90+ degrees out when she first got married.  It didn’t go over so well with Ed.

Most of all, she loved her family and friends and will be missed greatly by them all.

Memorial Service 12 pm Monday, August 12^th, at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 S. Robert St., West St. Paul. Visitation 1 hour prior to the service. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the Special Olympics.

Age 87, of Inver Grove Heights,

Passed away surrounded by family on July 20th, following a long health decline while in hospice.

Joan Zaharopoulos was born in 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to Anthony and Mary, immigrants from Greece. After her high school graduation, she began working in a downtown office building where she met her future spouse, Gordon Challeen, while riding in an elevator. Lovely sparks flew and they were married within a year.

The early death of both her parents, as well as her new married life led her to Gordon’s home state, Minnesota, which was very different from Chicago. Joan said the transition was not easy and involved adjusting to small town Mankato, while Gordon finished college at Gustavus Adolphus College. They eventually moved to the “big city” of St. Paul where Gordon was employed at 3M for his entire career. They started a family, and it wasn’t long before they bought their one and only house in Inver Grove Heights.

Joan’s greatest joy came from family. She and Gordon raised three children, Michael (Kate), Kathryn (Joe), and Linda (Denny), and Joan adored each of her grandchildren and great-grand-children. Grandchildren include Nicole (Eric), Michael (Tiffanie), Raina (Bobby), Claire, Tony, Morgan and Alex. Great-grand- children include Lila, Logan, Mae, Selma, Mora, Gwenyth, and James. Joan was predeceased by her husband, Gordon Challeen, and her parents, Mary and Anton Zaharopoulos. She is survived by her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to ninja-level home-making (a cleaner home would be hard to find), and outstanding food labeling skills (keeping 3M post-it notes in business), Joan enjoyed crafting, passing along many heirlooms to family members over the years. She also was an excellent baker, which made her house a big draw for the kids in the neighborhood. Notable in a long list of cooking favorites, her wonderful baklava recipe, Christmas-time rosette cookies, and the special way she prepped lamb chops for grilling, will remind us of her every time we gather as a family over a meal that includes one of those delicious items.

No services will be held at this time, with a private interment to be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to DeathWithDignity.org or one of your own meaningful charities.