Age  37 of Eagan, MN

Caitlin Rebecca Haynes, 37, of Eagan, MN, died on the morning of Sunday, January 10, 2021, five days after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest of unknown causes. She leaves behind her loving husband of more than 12 years, Tom, and their three children, Clayton (10), Michael (7), and Maria (4); her parents Michael and Candice Kasper; her sister Erin (Kelsey) Tigges; and nephews Caleb (5) and Noah (2) Tigges, as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Caitlin was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Archie and Kay Wolfe, maternal great- grandparents George and Vera Gillmore and Henry and LaVina Wolfe, and paternal grandparents Dr. Raymond and Marian Kasper.

Caitlin was born on March 20, 1983, in St. Paul, MN, to loving parents Michael and Candice Kasper. She grew up in Eagan and graduated from Eagan High School in 2001. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 2007.

On September 27, 2008, Caitlin married the love of her life, Thomas R. Haynes at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church in Eagan. The premature birth of their first child Clayton in 2010, teamed with Caitlin’s never-ending compassion for others, drew her to work for the March of Dimes. Caitlin thrived in this role as she was able to provide support for other families affected by premature births while also furthering the organization’s research efforts.

After her second child Michael was born in 2013, Caitlin left the workforce and followed what she believed was her true calling; she chose the honor of becoming a stay-at-home mom. Caitlin’s life was focused on her family, but her family wasn’t complete until she gave birth to her third child Maria, in 2017. She enjoyed spending her time planning exciting and engaging activities for her kids and she loved documenting their lives by photographing the many fun and memorable family events along the way, including hiking, boating, berry picking, and cheerleading at all of her children’s practices, games, and activities. She excelled in her role as a hockey mom for Clayton and Michael, and treasured her time in Mommy and Me classes with Maria. Caitlin will always be remembered for being a wonderful and endearing soul, but also for being a joyful and fun-loving wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend.

Caitlin had many interests and passions that kept her busy and engaged with her family and friends. She took every opportunity she could to spend time volunteering in her kids’ schools and classrooms and was always present at their sporting events and social get-togethers. Caitlin also loved to cook and was always eager to create new recipes.

When the weather was warm, Caitlin loved nothing more than to spend time boating with her family and friends on a variety of Minnesota lakes, with Lake Pepin being her favorite. When the Minnesota weather became too cold to enjoy the local lakes, Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida was Caitlin’s preferred winter get-away. The beautiful beaches, breath-taking sunsets, and seemingly endless family time were all things she loved.

Caitlin’s circle of friends was large and continuously growing. The cul-de-sac in which she lived with Tom and their children was home to many friends and was the source of so much enjoyment. Caitlin frequently planned and organized events for the neighborhood families, which brought her great joy and happiness. Nights and weekends spent with these friends around bonfires and kitchen tables created friendships and memories to be cherished forever.

Teaching and sharing her Catholic faith with her children was one of Caitlin’s top priorities. She knew the importance of having a relationship with Jesus and she led by example; teaching Sunday school, serving as a catechist, volunteering at Faithful Shepherd Catholic school, and reading nightly bedtime Bible stories to her children.

Caitlin’s family and friends will remember her for the loving, caring, and generous person she was, but also for her bubbly, out-going, and energetic personality, which brought joy to everyone she met. Caitlin had a remarkable ability to bring humor into any of life’s moments and she was well known by those close to her for her playful and endearing pet names she gave to many of those she loved.

Caitlin will forever be remembered as the cornerstone on which her family was built and for the unconditional love she had for her hard-working and dedicated husband and her three amazing children, as well as for the rest of her family and friends. She will also be remembered for her deep faith and strong relationship with Jesus, her contagious smile, and her selfless acts of kindness, of which she may have saved the best for last. Before going to be with the Lord, Caitlin had one more selfless act left – as an organ donor, Caitlin blessed four people with the gift of life.

Caitlin was the light and heart of our family and she will be forever loved and forever missed. Until we meet again.

Services to honor Caitlin will be held at Mary, Mother of the Church, located at 3333 Cliff Road E, Burnsville, MN 55337 and can be viewed live via Tribucast at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/1643296  Visitation will be on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 4:00-7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00am. There will not be a visitation immediately preceding Mass. Caitlin will be interred during a private ceremony at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN.

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Jan 15^th 2021 at the age of 95. Preceded in death by his parents, William and Julia Tunell; Emalyn, loving wife of 62 years; sister, Barbara Duquette. Survived by loving children, Patty Fitzgerald (Dan), Rob Tunell (LeAnn), Linda Tunell and Mary Peter, as well as 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was born in Duluth and grew up in Pine City, MN. He served in the US Army, WWII Pacific Theater. After the service he moved to the Twin Cities to pursue his love for art.  He received his degree from Minneapolis School of Art and was hired at Brown and Bigelow as a commercial artist. His career lasted there for 38 years. He had a great love for the outdoors and spent many weekends in the woods, duck blind and the deer stand. He taught his children to appreciate the outdoors and summer vacation were spent camping and fishing. He will be deeply missed by his family. Visitation 3:00 – 4:30pm, Thursday, January 21^st at Roberts Funeral Home 8108 Barbara Avenue, Inver Grove Heights.  Memorial service to follow. Streaming available at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/71016281. Private interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery at future date.

11/22/60-1/7/21

Beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Jeffrey Donald Winter passed away peacefully in his home on January 7th, 2021. Jeff lived life to the fullest while battling heart issues and COPD over the last decade. His loved ones will carry on his legacy through the humor and passion that Jeff carried with him every day.

Jeff was born in Le Sueur, MN on November 22nd, 1960. He grew up in Inver Grove Heights and graduated from Simley High school in 1979. First and foremost, he was a loving father and a dear friend to so many. Professionally he had a long career in the HVAC industry, most recently working with the Local 10 Sheet Metal union as a foreman. Jeff loved hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors.

Jeff’s personality was contagious and made everyone he met feel like he’d known them for years. He will be greatly missed by his sisters, Debra (Greg) Zippel, Patricia (Mark) Nikodym; daughters, Kayla (Logan) Sohn, Bridget Cullen; grandchildren, Parker Sohn, Connor Cullen & Brynn Cullen.  Jeff was preceded in death by his father and mother, Donald and Beverly Winter.

Private services are being held. A service and celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at a later date.

Kathleen L. Sloan (b. 1951 in Greenville, MI) died from COVID-19 complications on December 15, 2020 at Unity Hospital in Fridley, MN, with her daughter holding her hand.

Kathleen Sloan (aka Kathleen Chipman and Kathleen Allen) is survived by her daughter (Monica Allen), son-in-law (Paul Wagner), two grandchildren (Lily and Liam Wagner), two sisters (Patricia Klintworth and Nancy Hansen), two nieces (Tery O’Brien and BreAnna Jauregui) and their families, and five nephews (Richard Shields, Chad Vos, Tim Vos, Grady Hansen, and Ross Hansen) and their families.  Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents (Russell and Marjorie Chipman), her oldest sister (Sandra Shields), and her second husband (Clair Sloan).

Kathleen (Kathy) started working at a young age at her family’s drive-in movie theaters in Greenville and Ionia, MI and continued in many helping positions over her lifetime including: bank teller, retail associate, special education paraprofessional, activities director for seniors, and dental office receptionist. She founded the KISS (Keep Infants Safely Seated) car seat program at the American Red Cross of Wausau, WI. Kathy briefly lived in the Philippines, as a teenager, with the family of a beloved foreign exchange student. She enjoyed singing in vocal ensembles in MI and WI, as well as playing piano as a teen. She was an avid music consumer, through recordings and live performances.

Kathy stopped working due to a mental health disability, but continued to stay active. Kathy enjoyed designing, planting, and caring for her flower gardens in Grand Rapids, MI. She enjoyed movies, reading, and people-watching. She travelled with her husband to Florida each Winter for the few years prior to his death in 2017. In Minnesota, she enjoyed playing bingo and designing and creating greeting cards and beaded jewelry. Kathy enjoyed spending time with her friends and was especially happy to live close to her two grandchildren.

Kathy appreciated living at The Commons of Timber Hills, an assisted living community in Inver Grove Heights, MN. Kathy shared this when they asked about her greatest achievements and current aspirations: “Making people smile- especially strangers. Letting people know that I truly care about them.” May her family and friends remember this and pay it forward, in her memory. 

Memorial gifts may go to:

Neighbors, Inc.- https://www.neighborsmn.org/donate/

GAPP Services, Inc.- https://gappservicesinc.com

NAMI Minnesota- https://namimn.org/get-involved/donate_now/

There are no current plans for a memorial service due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of George Stockburger, on January 7th, 2021 at age 73.

George grew up in South St. Paul and graduated high school in 1965. He went on to St. Cloud State University and graduated with degrees in chemistry and biology. During college he went back to a high school dance and was introduced to his future wife Debbi (O’Tool) Stockburger. They married in 1970.

The food industry is where George’s career took place. Beginning at Armour’s, George developed an appreciation for food services. He joined Byerly’s commissary when it was just starting out and resulted in him managing the commissary, bakery and drivers. The wild rice soup was and still is a family favorite. George then took his management skills to Captain Ken’s as CEO.

Fishing and hunting were George’s true loves. Early on he produced homemade fishing lures and jigs as co-founder of Cobra Tackle. Later he opened a sporting goods store, Minks Sports. George looked forward to his annual bow hunting trips to Whitewater State Park in Winona as well as trips with friends to Wisconsin, Montana, Colorado, Alaska and Canada.

It was important to George to help others enjoy hunting. He did this by teaching gun safety for over 35 years.  He also served on the Board of the local South St Paul Gun Club as Vice President. He continued to shoot at the gun club long after his retirement. George’s love of hunting and fishing was passed down to his sons.

During retirement you could always find George tinkering with something and continued to test recipes and can – especially tomato juice and peppers (yes – there were hot). A few years ago, he got a new job – grandpa! He loved it.

George was predeceased by his mother and father George and Mary ‘Bunny’ Stockburger. George is survived by wife Deborah, sons George Stockburger Jr. and Garrett [wife Annie, grandsons Colin, and Bodie] Stockburger, brothers Mark [Darla] Stockburger, and Jim [Barb] Stockburger, and sister Jane [Chris] Mattson.

A memorial service is being planned for the summer.

of Inver Grove Heights

Age 89

Passed away peacefully on January 2, 2021. A Celebration of Louise’s life will be held at a later date.

Alvera Geneva Fluegel was born on January 13, 1918 passed away from Covid-19 on January 2, 2021. Alvera was born on January 13, 1918 in Springfield, MN, the daughter of William Albert and Ida Belle (Rono) Neubauer. She was raised in Brown County, MN where she graduated from Comfrey High School and then from what is now Minnesota State University Mankato, where she obtained a teaching degree. She taught in a variety of one room school houses throughout the Springfield area. On June 2, 1946, she married Carl Thomas Fluegel in Altura, MN, and they located in Mankato, MN. She retired in 1983 from Blue Earth County Welfare Office and enjoyed travel, visiting all but two of the states. She enjoyed spending time with friends and family and playing card and board games.

Alvera is survived by her children; Wilbur (Kathy) Fluegel, Maple Grove, MN, Kathryn (Gary) Grosland, Hampton, MN and Thomas (Cassie) Fluegel, Chandler, AZ; 5 grandchildren, Jennifer Julson, Jeffrey Grosland, Ryan Grosland, Sarah (Ryan) Walker, and Elizabeth Fluegel; 5 great-grandchildren, Benjamin Julson, Isaac Julson, Evan Julson, Audrey Walker and Wyatt Walker.

Alvera was predeceased by her parents, husband Carl on April 11, 1983; sisters Ethel Meier, Beata Schroader, Ruth Krummel, and brothers Vincent and Howard Neubauer; 3 brothers-in-law, Otto Meier, Leslie Schroader, and Burt Krummel.

Private family services were held with burial at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Age 79 of Mendota Heights. Passed away peacefully on January 4, 2021. Preceded in death by parents, Clarence & Mary Polta, brothers, Richard & Eugene; sisters, Darlene Dyczkowski & Gloria Singleton. Survived by brother William (Ellen), sisters, Andrienne Atkins, Patricia Casey; also many nieces, nephews and friends. Mass of Christian Burial 11 am Saturday, January 9, 2021 at The Church of Saint Patrick, 3535 East 72^nd St., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 9:30-10:30 am at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., IGH prior to the Mass. Special thank you and memorials preferred to Our Lady of Peace Home.

Age 67 of West Saint Paul, formerly Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul, passed away on January 1, 2021.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents Beverly and Dale Abram, Sr., an infant sister, grandson Andrew and fathers-in-law, Harlow Conrad and John Friedrich. She is survived and loved by her husband of 47 years, Jim and children Jahna (Jasen) Haller, Theah Lawrence, and Jim Conrad; grandsons Jack and Willie Lawrence and Derrick, Zachary, and Jake Haller; siblings Dale (Susan) Abram, Jr., and Lori Classen; brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Debbi Conrad; mother-in-law Marlene Friedrich, and many nieces, nephews, and special family members and friends.

Debbie maintained her fun-loving, caring spirit until the end, and will be missed by so many. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

July 9, 1926 ~ January 1, 2021

Graveside service Thursday, January 7 at 2:00 pm at Resurrection Cemetery.

Celebration of Life Service on Zoom, January 18th  at 10:00 am.

Zoom Meeting number   9636580671

Elroy (age 94) was a man of integrity and lived a life of giving.  He passed away in the home he built himself.   He was dearly loved by his family and friends.

Elroy was born to Florence (Sachs) and Louis Rechtzigel.  He went to Rosemount schools and received a technical college degree.   He worked hard on the family farm.  He was baptized, confirmed and married at Emanuel Lutheran (later named Crown of Life Church).   He met the love of his life (Evelyn Dahm) in church choir.  They married August 17, 1945 and were newlyweds for 64 years.  He was active in his church his entire life and supported Christian education. He helped visit people who needed to hear about the Lord’s love, he fixed things at the church and was a leader in the congregation.

His love for airplanes led him to get his private pilot’s license and work at North Central Airlines.  He built and flew radio control airplanes and was part of Tri Valley R/V.  He loved attending airshows including Oshkosh EAA.  He and Evelyn traveled in their motor home in later years; Myrtle Beach being their favorite.   Elroy’s employment varied until he was able to achieve his dream of running his own motor repair shop. Rex Electric and later Elroy’s Service.   He spent many years helping others with motor problems, so much so he was the WCCO good neighbor for a day.  His family would say “Papa can fix it” whenever things broke.    He ran his business and fixed motors with Sheldon Sachs and later brought his grandson Andrew Taylor into the business to carry on.  He called them his boys.  Andrew will continue running the business from a new location.  Elroy went to his shop and worked almost every day until 1 month before his death.  His strong faith and relationship with God led him to send his girls to Christian schools.  He continued supporting Christian education for the rest of his life.    Elroy’s life was full of giving and serving others as a result of his faith.   He loved his family and sacrificed to help them always.

He is proceeded in death by his beloved wife Evelyn; his grandson Wade Rusty Rustad, his son in law Ken (Corky) Rustad, his brother Louis Rechtzigel.

He will be dearly missed by his daughters Kathleen (Ralph) Taylor, Gail Rustad and LuAnn Olen.  Each daughter played a significant role in his life.  Kathy dropped in, reminisced with him and left the place clean as a whistle.  Gail traveled from WI, made delicious meals for him to heat up and called him nightly. LuAnn played cards with him, brought ice cream and had great conversations on the patio.  They each did many tasks around the house to make sure he was safe and taken care of in his home until the end.

He leaves 6 grandchildren, 8 Great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren, His loyal friend Sheldon Sachs and his motor shop friends.  He will also leave Ben the cat who was his special friend after Evelyn passed away.  He is also survived by his sister Auverne (Bob) Raatz, sister in law Carol Rechtzigel and nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.

Elroy’s Grandchildren: Amy(Andy) Zylstra, Jonn(Holly) Taylor, Peter Taylor, Katie Jelinek, Rebecca (Matt) Jump, Andrew Taylor.    Great Grandchildren: Michael Taylor, Rhett Zylstra, Donovan Bradshaw, Reese Zylstra, Emrys Bradshaw, Hanna Kincaid, Jessica Bradshaw, Callista Taylor, Megan Bradshaw, Gabriella Perez.  Great Great Grandchildren:  Vanessa Taylor, Westin Zylstra. Memorials to Crown of Life tuition fund.