April 10, 1933 – January 25, 2020.

Beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, age 86. A proud servant of his country; United States Army and veteran of the Korean War 1953-1955; United States Air Force Reserve, 1955-1983; and protector of his community as a respected member of the South St. Paul Police Force 1965-1988.  Preceded in death by his wife Marian, his son Dale, his long-time partner, Mary Ettinger, parents, Matt & Rose; brothers Vernon and Wallace, and sister Corrine Froehling.  Survived by daughters, Dana Palbicki, Shelly Aslakson, Becky (Sam) Adams; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends in Minnesota, New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Fort Myers, Florida.

Earl grew up in Watkins, Minnesota.  It was in his high-school years that he earned the nickname Fuzzy. Following high school he enlisted in the Army, where his nick name followed him, and after returning from Korea he began working at Swift and Company.  Yearning to remain active in the service he joined the United States Air Force Reserve where he attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and retired with full honors in 1983. He was a respected officer on the South St. Paul Police Department, achieving the rank of Sergeant and then Detective.  He wore all of these uniforms with great pride and humility.  This humility carried over into many other parts of his life, especially as a friend and mentor to many, young and old. He will be known by many for his smile and by his family for his strength, always being the protector, and his generosity.

Earl could build and fix anything, a trait that he tried to instill in all he met. His other interest included hunting, fishing, especially in Alaska, woodworking, spending his summers at his cabin in Wisconsin, and socializing as a member of the local VFWs and Legions. He loved to travel, especially by car.  And of course, tuning into anything that resembled an old Western on the television.

Visitation, Saturday, February 1^st 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM followed by a Christian Mass at Church of St. Patrick’s, 3535 72nd Street East, Inver Grove Heights MN.  Luncheon to follow at church. Interment St. Michael’s Cemetery, Bayport, MN. Donations can be made to the American Legion.

Age 95 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 22, 2020. Preceded in death by husband, William; brother, Tony; sister, Philomena; daughter-in-law, Sandy. Survived by son, William; daughters, Sandra Stephan & Marilyn (Tom) Jestus; grandchildren, Kim (Brian) Castle; William D. (Lisa) & Robert (Jamie) Brandecker; Casii & Donald Stephan; June (Pete) Kamish, Tom (Amy) Jestus, Joe (Julie) Jestus; great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Marc, Christopher Castle; William T., Austin, Nathan; Abby & Mallory; Hoyt, Ben, Bridget & Sydney Kamish; Moriah, Tommy, Cyrus, Sophia & Selah Jestus; Arabella, Shaw, Ava, James Jestus; brother, Joseph Perry; also nieces, other family & friends. Mary loved to pray and study the Bible with her friends and had many meetings at their home over the years. In her earlier years she worked at Joe’s Bakery in South St. Paul frying donuts and decorating beautiful cakes. When her husband retired they went to Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, OK. Upon graduation they returned home and were associate pastors at the Miracle Centre Church. Memorial Service 7:00 PM Thursday, January 30^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 6:00 – 7:00 PM prior to the service. Private interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 59 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on January 20, 2020. Survived by loving husband of 33 years, Mark; daughters, Melissa & Sarah; parents, Verna & Bob Widmyer; brother, Scott (Lori) Widmyer; sister, Wendy (Mike) Armstrong; also nieces, nephews, in-laws & many friends. A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:30-4:00 PM. On Sunday, January 26th. Following the celebration, there will be a memorial service for family and friends. Everything will take place at Simley High School, 2920 80^th St., Inver Grove Heights. Memorials preferred to the IGH BEST Foundation or American Cancer Society.

Age 86 of South St. Paul

Pete went home to be with the Lord on January 13^th, 2020. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Arlene; parents, Hemmo and Titia; brothers, Wilbur, Albert, Bill, Bert; sisters, Ann and Ella. Survived by sons, Gregg (Stacy), Steve (Kris), Mark, and Bruce (Christine); 13 Grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Pete grew up on a farm near Hollandale, MN. He attended Albert Lea High School and graduated in 1951. Pete was a 3-sport athlete who won the state heavyweight wrestling championship his senior year. Pete attended the University of Minnesota where he was a member of the 1957 and 1959 Big Ten Championship teams. Pete served two years in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1954 to 1955 then came back and finished college, graduating in 1959 with a degree in physical education and health. He received his master’s degree in educational administration and physical education in 1968. Pete began his professional career at South St. Paul high school as a teacher and coach in 1959. In 1964 he became the athletic director at South St. Paul high school.

Pete was actively involved with wrestling as a referee and official of high school and collegiate wrestling tournaments for 45 years. Pete was also the co-coordinator of the Minnesota State High School Wrestling tournament for 25 years.

Pete’s other endeavors included being President of the University of Minnesota M Club, serving on the board of directors of the Minnesota State High School League, serving as executive secretary of the Minnesota Athletic Administrators Association. His accomplishments and service to others have been well recognized. He has been elected into the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Minnesota State High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, the Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame, and the South St. Paul High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Pete was proud of his Dutch heritage, The University of Minnesota, South St. Paul High School, his career, his students, his friends, but most of all, his family. Pete loved attending countless athletic events of his children and grandchildren. Pete loved the outdoors and his time spent at the family cabin on Leech Lake with his wife, Arlene.

Services will be held on Sunday, January 26^th, at First Presbyterian Church; 535 20^th Ave. N. South St. Paul. Visitation from 1:00-3:00 pm with a 3:00 pm service.

Memorials to the South St. Paul Open Foundation or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

Age, 93 of Inver Grove Heights.

Passed away surrounded by family on January 7, 2020. She was born in Harderwijk, Netherlands to Gerit and Johanna Bos. She immigrated to the United States with her parents and older sister in January 1927. They lived in Iowa and South Dakota before settling into the Mora/Ogilvie area of Minnesota.

She married Lewis VanGunst on February 25, 1948. They moved to St. Paul and later to Inver Grove Heights where they lived the rest of their lives. Johanna worked as a retail worker in several area retail stores.

Johanna was a devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and G-ma. She was an original founding member of Grace Christian Reformed Church in Inver Grove Heights. She enjoyed camping, traveling the United States, puzzles, plants and a good game of farkle. Most of all Johanna loved being with her family.

Johanna is preceded in death by her husband, Lewis; parents; three brothers and four sisters; daughter in law and great grandson. She will be greatly missed by her sons, Ivan and Gary; grandchildren, Michelle(Mike) Tague, Vicki(David) Huffcutt, Nickolas(Nicole), Brandi(Adam), Patrick(Melissa) Driscoll, Jeremy(Melanie), Jesse (Monica) and Barbara; great grandchildren, Michael and Sarah Tague, Mya, Henry and Josie Huffcutt, Ryan and Alex VanGunst, Willow and River Driscoll, Mannix VanGunst and Zoe Gunderson; brothers, Henry, John(Elsie), Gerit(Sylvia), David(Diann); sisters, Margaret Falk and Ruth(Jerry) Fenus; and many other family and friends.

Funeral Service 11 AM Monday, January 13^th, at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 3540 75^th St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9-11 AM prior to the service. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 66 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully on December 25, 2019. Preceded in death by mother, Norma Willis, sisters, Judy (John) & Barb (Larry). Survived by father, Donald Willis; brother, Pat (Patsy); daughter, Nicole; son, Josh (Angela) and their father, Terry; grandsons, Blake & Jake and family and friends. Joan enjoyed spending time with her family. She was extremely proud of her grandsons. Memorial Service 6:30 PM Monday, January 13^th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 4:30-6:30 PM prior to the service. Memorials preferred to UNICEF.