Kirchner, Harvey George
Age 92 of West St. Paul, Eagan, Hastings, Burnsville, MN
Born February 29, 1928, passed away peacefully from end-stage Alzheimer’s July 16, 2020.
Harvey was born the youngest of 4 children, growing up on a farm in West St. Paul. Working on the farm he developed a strong work ethic and faith in God. He was a lifelong member of St. James Lutheran Church.
Harvey married his Humbolt high school sweetheart Rita Kelly when they eloped to Iowa July 5th, 1947 at age 19 and their love affair continued the rest of their lives. They were married 66 years when Rita passed away from interstitial lung disease.
Harvey’s first job out of high school was working on the railroad repairing cars. He learned how to build a house from a railroad coworker and proceeded to learn on the job, trial and error doing most of the work all by himself. In the ’50’s he bought several acres of land, had it platted and roads put in then proceeded to build one house at a time and sold it, slowly building a neighborhood around his own home which he also built. He did this a few times in his career, building a house from the basement up, only subcontracting out the plumbing, heating and electric. Rita learned how to be his bookkeeper and secretary and that was their livelihood his whole life.
Harvey was a devoted husband and father of two daughters Rolaine “Rollie” and Renee’, provided a good home and loved his family. He was also referred to as a “stubborn German” which he couldn’t argue with. He loved dogs and cars and owned several over the years. He enjoyed his garden, growing trees, fixing up tractors, going to auctions, watching football, playing black jack and penny poker, going to Las Vegas with Rita, dancing and fishing when he was younger. His favorite treats were popcorn, nuts and peanut brittle and in his younger years he loved donuts and other bakery goods. Working hard building houses every day he never gained an ounce from his treats. He enjoyed watching TV and had lots of favorite shows in his life. Harvey and Rita attended St. James Lutheran church and raised their family there as well. He would congregate with his siblings after church every Sunday to visit on the lawn after church.
Harvey developed Alzheimers Disease which progressed in his last two decades of life. Upon the death of his wife Rita in 2013, he was moved to Emerald Crest Memory Care Assisted Living in Burnsville where he received wonderful care by a great staff who treated him with dignity, love and respect along with his dozen housemates where it became home to him.
He was loved by his 3 grandchildren Heidi, Gretchen and Ben who all married, live locally, and gave him 8 great grandchildren. He was visited regularly by his loving cousin, Gladys and LeRoy as well.
Harvey was a “leap year baby” so every 4 years family made a big deal for his “real” birthday. When he was 64, we had a “sweet 16” party for him. When he reached age 84, we told him he was old enough to vote! Fortunately we were able to have a little Leap Year Party for him this past February 29th at Emerald Crest with about 10 people with his favorite Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Unfortunately that was the last time people were allowed to visit Harvey due to the Covid19 pandemic and he continued to decline, lose weight and end-stage Alzheimers then took his life 5 months later.
Preceded in death by his wife, Rita Kirchner; parents, Martin and Lydia Kirchner and his siblings, Mabel (Hugo) Lorch, Clarence (Eileen) Kirchner, Violet (Horace) Brown, Nephew Gerald Brown. Survived by daughters, Rolaine “Rollie” (Phil) Brandt and Renee’ (Dave Reed) Kirchner; grandchildren, Heidi (Jason) Haakenson, Gretchen (Wayde) Fleener and, Ben (Beth) Brandt; 8 great-grandchildren, Eric, Lucia, Olivia, Sophia, Sam, Toby, Nathan and Andrew; cousin, Gladys (LeRoy) Motz, Dorothy Sell, George “Bud” (Marian) Kirchner, and others; also several nieces and nephews. Memorial Service 10:30 AM Tuesday, July 21st, at St. James Lutheran Church, 460 Annapolis St., W., West St. Paul (Masks are required please). Visitation 10-10:30 AM prior to the service at the church. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights. . In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Maroney, Viola
Age 88 of Inver Grove Heights, born in Lowry, South Dakota
Peacefully passed away July 15th, 2020 at home, surrounded by family. Viola Maroney was born Viola Irene Beitelspacher on August 3, 1931 in Lowry, SD to Jacob & Rose (Schilling) Beitelspacher. She was raised on a farm in Lowry and spoke only German when she started school. She and her siblings (Violet, Ilene, Dennis and Mavis) helped work the farm by milking cows, driving tractor, shocking/cutting grain. She talked about playing softball with her siblings in their spare time and how in the winter they would make homemade ice cream out of the snow.
Viola attended a 1 room country school house until she started high school. In order to attend high school, she had to move to Hoven, SD where she worked for her room & board at a house in town and would go home on the weekends (weather permitting) to help work the farm. She graduated from Hoven High School in 1950.
After high school she attended the Aberdeen School of Commerce and upon completion she became employed at the Walworth County Auditor’s office in Selby, SD. She worked there until 1954.
On August 14, 1954, Vi married Robert LeRoy Maroney of Lebanon, SD. They immediately moved to Salt Lake City, UT so Bob could attend school. There she worked for the Credit Bureau of Salt Lake until their first child, D’On, arrived prematurely in May 1955.
In January 1956, Vi and Bob moved to the Twin Cities; living in Minneapolis, St Paul Park and finally settling in Inver Grove Heights. Through the years they had four more children; Denise, Darlene (deceased), Duane and Doug.
She worked for several years at Armour & Company, and then attended photo negative retouching school, becoming a self-employed freelance retoucher. The last 10 years of her career were spent working in the office at Inver Grove Heights Middle School as a secretary.
Viola LOVED collecting salt & pepper shakers, rooster & chicken knickknacks, blue glassware & vases, and recipes. She was an avid baker and the two things her family loved most were her lemon bars & her mac n’ cheese! You never left her home hungry. In the last few years her favorite past times were talking to her sisters & friends on the phone and playing Words with Friends on her tablet.
Viola battled cancer in 2017/18 and was declared cancer free in July of 2019. Sadly, her cancer returned and she lost her battle on July 15th, 2020. She peacefully passed away, in her home, surrounded by family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob & Rosina; brother, Dennis; husband, Robert and infant daughter, Darlene. She is survived by her siblings, Violet, Eileen (Jim), Mavis (Edward) and Audrey; children, D’On, Denise (Dick), Duane and Douglas; grandchildren, William, Brooke (Nick), Tiffany, Kasey (Annie), Randi, Justin, Nathan, Willem, Alyssa and Chelsea (Leib); great-grandchildren, Evan, Zack, Mackenzie, Kiegan, and Hadassa. Memorial Service 11 AM Monday, July 20th, at Emanuel Lutheran Church 2075 70th St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service at the church. Fellowship to follow outside after the service. Private interment at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Avenriep, Gerald “Jerry”
Age 81 of South St. Paul
Passed away peacefully on February 27, 2020 in Las Vegas NV. Preceded in death by parents, Walter and Elizabeth; brother and sister-in-law, Thomas & Deanna. Survived by son, Brett (Casey); daughter, Vicki Waldschmidt; grandchildren, Nick and Dusty Snyder, Julia, Grayson, Olivia Avenriep; great-grandson, Maddox Snyder; sisters, Phyllis (Tom) Lewandowski and Helen (Tom) Bohrer; also many nieces, nephews and friends. Known as Avo, Jerry was a gifted and competitive athlete. He was a tremendous basketball player and was especially proud of being part of the 1955-56 SSP Basketball team when they went undefeated 14-0 and won the Suburban Conference. He won the Conference scoring title and was named to the All-Star team. He served three years in the US Army. Jerry was a very good bowler and bowled numerous 300 games during tournaments. He loved poker and playing cards with family and friends. Jerry was a very humble, giving and kind person. He was definitely one of the good guys. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Saturday, August 22nd, at the Church of St. Patrick, 3535 72nd St. E., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to Mass at the church. Interment General Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials preferred to the South St. Paul Educational Foundation.
Anderson, Nancy Elizabeth
Nancy Elizabeth Anderson was born in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri in 1947 to Phillip and Alice (Fay) Haller. She was the oldest of six children: Dennis (Jackie) Haller, Ted (Cathy) Haller, Tom Haller, Bonnie (Mark) Novy, and Richard Haller. She spent her early years playing in the woods of Jefferson Barracks. She graduated from Hancock High School and became an insurance adjuster. In 1973, she met her husband Ross Anderson and they married on July 6, 1974 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Melville, Missouri. She was the loving mother of Jennifer Lynn and Robert Carl Anderson. In 1976, the family bought a house in Webster Groves, Missouri and she became a full-time homemaker. She volunteered extensively at Christ Community Lutheran School in conjunction with Webster Gardens Lutheran Church. Her hobbies included traveling, sewing, reading, completing crossword puzzles, fishing with her husband, learning, building a strong Christian faith, women’s bible studies, visiting with everyone, and cooking food for family and friends. In 1980, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In 1992, the family relocated after a corporate merger to Mendota Heights, MN. It was difficult leaving many friends, but it was good for Nancy’s health as St Louis’s heat and humidity were taxing on her MS symptoms. Minnesota offered a change and in winter she called it “the frozen North.” She participated in church activities at Emmanuel Lutheran Church including LWML and for several years at Fairview’s MS Achievement Center. She loved when she was able to spend time with her four granddaughters, Addy, Josie, Mia and Eva. They and their families were her immense pride and joy. After several battles with infections and continued progression of her MS, God called her home on July 12, 2020. Funeral Service at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th Street East, Inver Grove Heights, MN on July 15th at 2 P.M. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment immediately following funeral at Emanuel’s Cemetery. Masks and social distancing mandated per family wishes. Memorials are preferred to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Loftus, Chris Michael
Age 53, of Laveen, AZ, formerly of South St. Paul, MN
Passed away on June 29, 2020 in his home in Laveen, Arizona. He was born on October 25, 1966 to Michael Loftus and Lynne Loftus in South Saint Paul, Minnesota. Chris will be remembered as a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He grew up in South St. Paul, Minnesota and moved to Arizona in 1997 and continued to live there with his wife and young son. As a child Chris was always the funny kid and could make anyone laugh, he continued that into adulthood and always seemed to have a way with people which helped make him a very successful sales manager. For the last few years he had worked for Air Comm with their partner Motorola and was loved by all he worked with. Chris was a very athletic child and played soccer, softball, and basketball, and loved all sports and continued to love and talk about sports into adulthood. He loved his family and loved being a dad to Hunter. Hunter shares the same sense of humor as his father and has helped create laughter since the day he was born. Chris has many lifelong, childhood friends whom he loved dearly and had special bonds with. He will truly be missed by all who knew him. Chris is survived by his wife, Rachel Loftus; son, Hunter Loftus; sister, Kelly Loftus; father, Michael Loftus; mother; Lynne Loftus; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Chris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph and Sarah Loftus and Thomas and Virginia Steichen; aunt, Peggy Pedersen. A visitation will begin at 10 AM Saturday, July 18th, followed by a Celebration and time of Sharing at 11 AM. At Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery. Luncheon to follow at St. Peter’s Church, 1405 Hwy 13 Mendota Heights MN 55150. Memorials preferred to https://www.gofundme.com/f/remembering-chris-loftus?
Michlitsch, Virgil Mike
Age 80 of Inver Grove Heights
Loving husband, father and grandfather
Passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Southview Acres Health Care Center due to COVID-19. Virgil was born on October 21, 1939, in Britton, South Dakota, the second child of Roman and Loretta (Etl) Michlitsch, and raised on a farm near Eden with his sisters Valeria and Audrey. In 1960, he came to the Twin Cities and started a career with Armour & Company. On September 29, 1962, Virgil married the love of his life, Carol Stianson, of Roslyn, South Dakota. They eventually settled in Inver Grove Heights, where they built their home and were blessed with daughters Jody and Kelly. He later worked for Raco Oil & Grease Co. and started a cleaning business. After retiring in 2002 from School District #199, he dedicated even more time to granddaughters Amber and Autumn, who filled this proud grandpa with endless joy. Virgil’s devotion to his family was extraordinary—always a provider and protector for all of his girls in whatever ways they needed. He was lighthearted and playful, always smiling. He worked hard yet was always ready and willing to help anyone. Virgil was a good man, a man of faith and integrity with a servant’s heart. He was always on time and could fix or DIY almost anything in his prized garage. He also enjoyed many activities including horseback riding, fishing, snowmobiling, dancing, playing games, gardening, sports, and gathering with family and friends. While he loved camping and traveling, especially visits to the family farm, he was always happiest at home. Now at home in Heaven, Virgil is deeply missed and lives on in the hearts of his devoted wife Carol, daughters Jody Michlitsch and Kelly (Todd) Forrester, granddaughters Amber and Autumn Forrester, sister Audrey Johnson, sister- and brother-in-law Lois and Gerald Zimmermann, nieces and nephews, many other relatives and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Valeria and brother-in-law Philip Kulesa. A Memorial Celebration of Virgil’s Life is set for Friday, July 17 at 11:00 a.m., in The Chapel at Hosanna Church, 9600 163rd Street West, Lakeville. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. Enter through Door 5. Social distancing practiced. Masks required and available if needed. Live stream at https://youtu.be/sOaVAL-sYVU. Memorials to the family preferred in lieu of flowers.
Shanley, Susan
Age 63 of South St. Paul
Passed away unexpectedly on April 5, 2020. Preceded in death by husband, Verne Jones; parents, James & Evelyn Shanley; siblings, James, Richard, Kathy & Margaret. Survived by son, Brian Shanley; daughter, Heather Malaske; grandchildren, Aliyana, Gabrielle, Mia, Jamie and Kal-El; great-granddaughter, Rose; siblings, Timothy (Mary), Larry (Margo) & Steve (Rosie) Shanley. Judy Pagel, Mary Zigan, Sandy Crouch, Lynn (Landon) Fuller; also, a large extended family and many friends. Susan had the heart & soul of a caretaker putting her strong Christian faith into action helping countless organizations & individuals. She lived in sobriety for over 30 years & assisted many working on recovery. Memorial Service 10:30 AM Saturday, July 11th, at River Heights Vineyard Church, 6070 Cahill Ave., Inver Grove Heights. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the family.
Hughes, Robert C. “Bob”
Age 83 of Inver Grove Heights,
Formerly of Coon Rapids. Passed away on June 23. 2020.Preceded in death by wife, Jane; son, Randy. Survived by son, Michael (Pamela); grandchildren; brother, Ken (Carol). Bob was a US Army Veteran and worked at Cenex for 32 years. A private family graveside service was held at Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.
Wallace, Dolores Jean
Age 84 of Inver Grove Heights.
Passed away peacefully on June 14, 2020.Preceded in death by husband, Michael; brother, Wayne VanFossen; Survived by sister, Kathy Barnes; children Charles (Laurie), Michele (Tom) Hamre, Michael (Karen), Cindy, Greg (Gayle), Ann; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren. A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, South St. Paul. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.
Moy, Wee Ho
Passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 16, 2020. He was dearly loved by his wife of 64 years, four children and their spouses, four grandchildren and spouses, two great grandchildren, his siblings and many friends. Due to COVID-19 restrictions we will be having a private funeral and burial. We know that in normal times he would have had many friends and family in attendance. In lieu of flowers tomorrow’s preferred to the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute who saved his life and gave us bonus years with him.