Age 27

Passed away peacefully on 12/31/19 after her battle with cancer. Preceded in death by grandparents, Robert & Charlotte Tima, and Lyle Kruckow. Survived by parents, Robert & Terry Tima; fiancé, Matt Nelson; sisters Jen Tima-Johnson (Troy) & Sam Tima (Tom); niece, Sophia; nephew, Joe; Uncle, Kenny Tima; aunt, Cathy Araco; grandma, Jean Kruckow; the Nelson Family, aunts, uncles, cousins; beloved kitties, Vannah, Katniss, Luci & MANY loving friends. Heather was caring and outgoing, always wanting to make sure everyone else was happy. Heather loved all her friends, cats, music and Disney movies. Heather’s joy for life and her enduring strength, will live on through all of us who love her so much. We will cherish all of the memories and carry her with us always. A Celebration of Life will be held at Drkula’s, 6710 Cahill Avenue, Inver Grove Heights on Saturday, January 11th at 2:00 PM. “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish can come true.”-Cinderella “Hakuna Matata!”-Lion King

Age 56

Passed away after a battle with cancer on December 27th, 2019, in the comfort of his own home surrounded by family. Paul is survived by his wife, Jennifer; daughters, Jordan and Alexandra Heimkes of Rosemount, MN; his parents, Richard and Delores Heimkes of Glenwood, MN; brothers, Jeff (Christine) Heimkes of Rosemount, MN, and Joe (Amy) Heimkes of Rosemount, MN; sister, Teri (Chad) Cain of Benson, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul’s life. Services will be held at the Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Mass of Christian Burial is at the Church of St. Peter, 1405 Sibley Memorial Hwy., Mendota Heights on Friday, January 3, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery with lunch to follow.

(83) of South St. Paul, MN

Passed away peacefully on December 26, 2019 with three generations of family at her side. She was born on July 2, 1936 in Milbank, SD, the third child of Herman and Alma (Loeschke) Schweer. Esther was a 1954 graduate of Milbank High School. She received her RN degree from St. Francis School of Nursing in Breckenridge MN in 1957.

On August 5, 1957, Esther married Edward Steltz who she met roller-skating in Milbank. They made their early homes in Mankato, MN and Kansas City, Missouri, before settling in South St. Paul where they lived for over 50 years. Together with Edward, she raised their family while working as a nurse.

Esther had a forty-year nursing career including work at Riverview, Divine Redeemer, and United Hospitals. She was a gourmet cook and was always looking for new recipes to try with family and friends. She enjoyed golf, downhill skiing, reading and travel and had many adventures. Esther was a fierce and determined person with strong convictions and a deep faith. She was an ardent friend and a passionate and compassionate caregiver who put the needs of her family before her own.

Esther is survived by her children Lynda, Jeffrey (Maureen), and John Steltz, grandchildren Daniel (Hillery) Steltz, Peter (Kimberly) Stelahue, Paul (Anjeanette) Steltz, Christopher (Kirsten Ward) Pellegrino, and Julia Pellegrino, and great-grandson, Phelan Steltz. She is also survived by her brother, Donald Schweer of Milbank and her sisters Dorothy Schweer (Boise, ID) and Evelyn Powell (Chamberlain, SD).

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Edward, her parents, brothers Ervin and Laverne Schweer, sisters-in-law Carol, Mildred, and Kathy Schweer, and brothers-in-law Arthur Powell and Dick Cerino.

A funeral will be held 12 Noon Friday, January 3, 2020 at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St. E., Inver Grove Heights where she was a faithful member for more than 50 years. Visitation is two hours prior to service. Private interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 64 of South St. Paul

Passed away peacefully in the arms of her husband, Bill, on December 20, after a 4-year battle with cancer. Also survived by sisters, Kathy (John) Terhell & Judy (Lefty) McMorrow; brother Jimmy (Beth); also many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. Preceded in death by parents, Hank & Rose Jacobs. Mary was loved so much and will be deeply missed A Celebration of Life with Family and Friends will be held from 4-7 PM Friday, January 3^rd, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. Inver Grove Heights. Memorial preferred.

Age 81 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully on Dec, 22, 2019. Preceded in death by husband, Robert; son, James; sister, Karen Anderson. Survived by son, Paul (Marlys); daughters, Nancy (Charlie) Meyers & Sue (Mark) Schmidt; grandchildren, Cindy, Nick (Becca), Abbey, Nate, Sam & Luke; great-grandchildren, Micah, Aiden & Keira. Colleen was very active at her church. She loved to sew and volunteered many hours working with ESL and special need students. She always enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Funeral Service 11 AM Thursday, Dec. 26^th, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave. Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10-11 AM prior to the service. Interment Christ Lutheran Church Cemetery, Eagan, MN. Memorial preferred to the Walker Methodist Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Age, 75 of Mendota Heights, MN and Bonita Springs, FL

Passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019, with her husband Jim by her side. Nancy grew up and graduated high school in South St. Paul, MN. She married James (Jim) Kemp on May 4, 1968. Nancy enjoyed reading, traveling, watching British television shows, and Diet Coke (NOT Diet Pepsi!). Most importantly she loved spending time with her family and friends. Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Sophie LaShomb, and infant children Eric and Jennifer. Her sense of humor, compassion for others, and lust for life will be greatly missed by her husband, Jim; children, Jeff (Peggy), Lisa (Joe), Jamie; grandchildren, Sydney, Alex, Maya, Sylvia; sister, Laurie (Jim) Lindell; foster daughter, Anne (Mark) and many other relatives and friends.  A visitation will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019, at Roberts Funeral and Cremation Chapel, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights, MN from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm followed by a memorial service at 5:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vasari Cares Foundation at vasaricares.org.  Thank you for all of the wonderful memories you have given us. 

Age 78 of Inver Grove Heights

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on December 16, 2019. Survived by wife, Donna (Helm); children, Tom (Ann), Kim, Lisa (Bill) Lund, Ryan (Amy), Kelli (Don) Lesher; 24 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Claude (Claurice); sisters, Huey Boren, Theresa Chitwood & Jeanne Ludlow. Jack worked at Armours and Waterous Co. and served as a volunteer Fireman for the city of Inver Grove Heights. Funeral Service 2 PM Saturday, December 21^st, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 12 Noon-2 PM prior to the service. Interment St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery.

Douglas William Woog, 75, of Inver Grove Heights and formerly, South St. Paul, MN passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease on December 14, 2019, surrounded by his loving family. Doug was born on January 26, 1944 in St. Paul, MN to Jacob and Wanda (Lencowski) Woog. Doug is survived by his loving wife, Janice (Bystrom) Woog; three children, Amy Woog Patnode (Tom), Steven Woog (Colene) and Daniel Woog, along with his eight grandchildren that he adored; Reegan, Ava, Elle, Allie, Olivia, Carlyn, Anna and Jake, sister Hedy Sue Woog, sister and brother in-law, Norma & Donald O’Handley and many relatives and special friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Wanda, his sister Patricia Woog, his father and mother-law, Bernard & Alice Bystrom.

Doug was an outstanding player for both his South St. Paul High School and Gopher Hockey teams.  Doug was a teacher and Guidance Counselor at South St. Paul High School for 17 years.  He coached all levels of hockey from the youth players attending his camps, at South St. Paul High School, with the 1984 Olympic Team and then as the Gopher Hockey coach for 14 years.  After retiring from coaching, Doug continued working in the Gopher Athletic Department and as a TV commentator on the broadcasts.  Doug treated everyone he encountered with respect, a warm smile, and always had time for a conversation.

He loved spending time with his entire family at the Woog cabin that has been in the family since 1934.  He loved Jan’s cooking, enjoyed sitting on the dock watching the grandkids enjoying the water activities.  Doug also looked forward to his annual Canada fishing trip, that he went on for 40 consecutive summers with his sons, Steve and Dan and many of their close family friends and relatives. He looked forward to going to lunch with his buddies on a regular basis and all of the donuts they would bring him.  And, what he loved more than anything was teaching and coaching kids of all ages on the ice, especially his grandkids and their teammates.

Doug garnered many honors and awards throughout his lifetime, but the one he was most touched by occurred on February 6, 2016, when the former Wakota Arena was dedicated and renamed as Doug Woog Arena.

The family would like to send a special thank you to all of the caring and compassionate staff at The Moments of Lakeville as well as the wonderful people at Minnesota Hospice that cared for him.

A “Celebration of Life” public gathering will be held at South St. Paul High School on Sunday, December 29th from 11:00 am-2:00 pm. All are welcome, including kids and families.  The hockey community, including all Woog Camp kids are encouraged to wear their hockey jersey and join the family in celebrating Doug’s life.  There will be an informal program and sharing of stories and “Woogisms” at 1:00 pm.

A special gathering for family and friends will be held at Southview Country Club from 4:00-7:00 pm on December 29^th.

No flowers, please.  Memorial donations may be directed to the Inver Grove Heights BEST Foundation, the South St. Paul Educational Foundation, the Doug Woog Scholarship/Golden Gopher Fund or Minnesota Hospice in Lakeville.