Lundgren, Pamela Elizabeth (Nee Wilmes)
Was born November 11, 1949 to Lloyd and Violet (Kaup) Wilmes in St. Paul, MN. She passed from this Earth on February 18th, 2019, 7:03pm after a short battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family as she drew her last breath of this world. The angels have acquired a feisty one for sure. She had beaten that ugly disease 6 separate times, but, unfortunately, the 7th battle was just too much for her body to beat. Pam was fiercely strong, independent woman and she was so proud of it. She achieved her Associates Degree after having her children became adults and then buying her own home which she was so proud of. She worked for 30+ years with the State of Minnesota in varying positions within the Department of Revenue and retired from there as the licensing person for the assessors for the state of Minnesota. After retirement she worked at Auto Glass Today as a file clerk part time. She also took guitar lessons and absolutely loved that! She was so proud when she mastered Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen. Pam had a love of fast and classic cars; she herself owning a few zippy cars through her life, the most recent was her 2004 Saturn Ion Red Line which she entered into the GM car show and rarely missing a Back to the 50’s. She could knit and crochet better than anything you could buy in the store. She made numerous baby blankets, slippers, hats, scarves and large blankets for all her family. Pam made THE BEST snacks! Her ranch flavored pretzels were always a hit at pot lucks, work, and presents. She had a love of cooking and trying new recipes on everyone. She was a doting grandma to all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They always had her heart. She was proud of them all and loved spending time with them. She loved her family so much. ‘The barbarian hoard’ as she so lovingly called them, her Saturday morning family breakfasts, no matter how many of the family would show, she looked forward to that and her monthly muffin meetings with her sisters. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Violet Wilmes, both of whom she missed very much. She is survived by: Sons- Patrick (Kristen) Lundgren of Anoka, Micheal (Mary) Lundgren of Coon Rapids, Grandchildren, Jayde and Taylor Lundgren, Tyler Keroff (Holly), Nicholas (Sarah) Hansen, Derrick (Sarah) Hansen, Bonnie Jo Hansen (Daniel Silva), and 4 Great Grand kids, Ruby and Billy Geving, Rowan Hansen and Mackinley (Mack) Hansen. Her Siblings: Colleen (Jerry) Mike of Mendota Heights, Danny (Lori) Wilmes of Inver Grove Heights, Billy (Joyce) Wilmes of Inver Grove Heights, Wendy (Kevin) Chapdelaine of Newport and Penny (Steve) Feely of Stillwater. Nieces and Nephews: James (Natalie) Wilmes, Timothy (Melissa) Wilmes, Anna (Jeremy) Amundson, Cassie Mike, Stephanie Jensen and Samantha Wilmes, Denise (Steve) Froleich, Dustin (Katie) Lundgren and Dale (Samantha) Lundgren along with numerous great nieces and nephews. Memorial Service 2 PM Saturday, March 2nd, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 1-2 PM prior to the service. Luncheon to follow at the Mendota VFW Post 6690, 1323 Sibley Memorial HWY.
Crandall, Jeanette “Jan” (Nee Wille)
Age 82 Born, raised and lived in Inver Grove Heights.
Died February 16, 2019 from Alzheimer’s Disease. Preceded in death by husband, Herb. Survived by daughters, Heidi (Jeff Roan) and Jennifer (Jo Young); grandsons, Tristan and Eamon; sister, Doris Huebscher; brother, Wes Wille; many nieces and nephews; special friends Pat Niska and Mike LaForte, and feline friend, Katie. Jan was a 1960 graduate of the University of Minnesota, earning a BA in Sociology. She was very proud of her work at Hastings State Hospital where she cared for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She also worked at correctional facilities for youths in the 60s, where she randomly reconnected with her former high school classmate Herb. They married in 1964 and settled in IGH shortly thereafter.
Starting in the mid-60s, Jan became a full-time mother and homemaker. During her time as a stay-at-home parent she was a tireless advocate for her daughters’ educations, a master crossword puzzler, an avid gardener, a devoted pet owner and an uninspired cook (which she would have admitted to you herself). She volunteered at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, of which she was a founding member, in many different capacities over the years: as part of the cleaning team, a Mobile Meals organizer, caller and deliverer, the food shelf organizer and distributor, funeral lunch donation caller and, finally, the first friendly face you’d encounter when you came to donate blood through the Red Cross at the church. She was happiest doing useful work of some kind. In more recent years Jan delighted in spending time with her grandsons, exercising grandparents’ prerogative when it came to candy, cookies and especially ice cream. She organized the annual Wille family reunion every August. She continued to tackle the daily crossword, puzzling up until one week before her death, and enjoyed visiting with friends and caring for her cat. Jan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s after two serious seizures in the spring of 2017. It saddened everyone to watch her decline mentally. She was admitted to Regions Hospital on February 8th with pain, which was discovered to be a compression fracture in her spine. She went downhill unexpectedly quickly after returning home after her hospital stay, and passed between 9 and 10 PM on February 16th, after friends and family members had visited. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 8 at 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7500 Cahill Ave, Inver Grove Heights. Friends may call starting at 9:00. Light lunch and some Jan-inspired fun to follow. We would like to incorporate your stories into the service and invite you to submit your fondest memories of Jan – whether funny, sweet, profound or everyday – either in writing on the day of the service before the service starts, or by e-mail to memoriesofjan@gmail.com anytime between now and Thursday, March 7. In lieu of flowers, please honor Jan by donating to the Nature Conservancy, which she and Herb supported for over 30 years. www.nature.org. Special thanks to the staff of The Willows of Ramsey Hill and Health Partners hospice for their care and support.
Saylor, Genevieve
Age 91 of South St. Paul
Died peacefully on February 13th. A celebration of her life will be held in June.
Locke, Jeanette Irene
(nee Olson)
Age 83 of South St. Paul
Beloved Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Friend passed away peacefully with her family by her side on February 10, 2019 after a long journey with Alzheimers. She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Pete Locke and parents Myrtle and Rev. Iver Olson. She is survived by three daughters, Kirsten Kruzel (Bryon), Karin Housley (Phil), Jana Smith, 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, siblings Magne Olson (Judy), Merlin Olson (Carol) and Inez Schwarzkopf (Lyall), sisters-in-law Dolly Goral, Susan Reynolds, Marilyn Locke and many nieces and nephews. Being a minister’s daughter, faith was an integral part of Jeanette’s life, as she and her husband Pete were founding members of Luther Memorial Church. She trusted in the Lord and lived a true servant’s life. Jeanette graduated from Minneapolis Roosevelt High School and got a degree in Education from Augsburg College. After teaching school, she worked at H & R Block for 35 years while always enjoying golf, bridge club, church choir, family trips and traveling the world. Funeral Service 1:00 PM Wednesday, Feb 13th at Luther Memorial Church, 315 15th Ave No, South St. Paul. Visitation 11-1 prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Alzheimers Association at Alz.org
Gatzke, Cletus
Age 89 of South St. Paul passed away peacefully on February 7, 2019.
Survived by wife of 68 years Patricia; son Bernard; daughters Janet (Mark) Robertson, Barbara, Sandra (David) Stevenson; grandchildren Angie (Gerard) George, Lucas (Laura) Robertson, Samantha (Greg) Reckinger, Daniel Stevenson, Frances Stevenson; six great grandchildren; sisters June LaCroix, Marlene Minke, Patty Branson and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Memorial Service 12 noon Saturday, February 16, visitation one hour prior from 11-noon at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., IGH. Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer’s Association
Roesler, Wanda Mae (James)
Passed away peacefully, February 3, 2019.
Born June 24, 1929 in Owatonna to George I and Lillian Z (Gumbusky) James. Shortly after, they moved to Waseca where she grew up, graduated from Waseca High School and worked for EF Johnson Co. for 5 years. She married her high school sweetheart, Marvin H. Roesler on October 1, 1950. Marv & Wanda lived in Waseca, Hastings, Laverne, Paulina, IA, Waukon IA, Jackson & Le Center where Marv worked for Natural Gas and Wanda worked as a bookkeeper. Following retirement, she moved to Eagan. Preceded in death by her parents & husband of 40 years. Wanda will be missed by their children George (Bobbi), St Paul; Mark (Pam), Inver Grove Heights; Jay (Teri), Duluth; Gayle, Buffalo; Karyn, Mound; 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren and other loving family and friends. Wanda loved the Vikings, daily walks at MOA, yoga, tai chi, oldies music, theatre, crossword puzzles, travel and most of all her family. She had a warm smile, easy laugh and was the perfect example of a matriarch. Celebration of life at 11:00 with visitation one hour prior, on Saturday, February 9th at Mt Bethel Church, 3239 70th St E., IGH. Private interment Waseca. Memorials preferred to American Cancer Society, colon cancer research or Our Lady of Peace Hospice Home, St Paul.
Farley, Dorothy (Hodges)
Age 79 formerly of Inver Grove Heights
Dorothy passed peacefully on 1/23/19. She is survived by husband, Paul Farley; daughter, Pam (Ben); brothers, William and Walter; sister, Lorraine; grandchildren, McKenzie, Gage and Jordan. She is preceded in death by husband, Carl; son, Doug; brother, Ben; sister, Donna. Funeral Service 1 PM Thursday, February 7th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 10 AM – 1 PM prior to the service. Interment Resurrection cemetery. Luncheon to follow at the Moose Lodge #1088, 5927 Concord Blvd., IGH.
Steltz, Edward Jacob
Age 85 of South St. Paul, MN
Passed from this life on January 29, 2019, at home with his family at his side. He was born on August 12, 1933 near Ortonville, MN to Henry and Irene (Ulrich) Steltz. Edward was a 1952 graduate of Odessa High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1956-1957 aboard the USS Erben.
On August 5, 1957, Edward married his sweetheart, Esther (Schweer), who he met roller-skating in Milbank. They made their early homes in Mankato and Kansas City before settling in South St. Paul where they lived for over 50 years. Together with Esther, he raised his family while working as a mechanic. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church for over 50 years and enjoyed making booya there in the fall. Edward loved cars and enjoyed owning several oddities over the years including Saab, Citroen, DKW, and Peugeot. He was happy with the hood up and tools in his hands. He also enjoyed golf, photography, downhill skiing, tending the birds and growing beautiful hollyhocks. Above all, he enjoyed talking with people. He was happy to be with family and friends and enjoyed passing time visiting with folks at many gatherings through the years. He had a smile for everyone.
Edward is survived by his wife of 61 years, Esther; their children, Lynda, Jeffrey (Maureen), and John Steltz; grandchildren, Daniel (Hillery) Steltz, Peter (Kimberly) Stelahue, Paul (Anjeanette) Steltz, Christopher (Kirsten Ward) Pellegrino, and Julia Pellegrino; great-grandson, Phelan Steltz. He is also survived by his sisters, Laura Mae (Eddie) Roeder, Ella Thomson, Rosemary Stock, and Charlene (Matt) Karels; sisters-in-law Inez Steltz and Bonnie Heinrich, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, James and Henry Steltz; brothers-in-law, Don Thomson and Jerry Stock; sisters-in-law, Gerri Steltz and Lorna Steltz.
A visitation will be held on Monday, February 4, 2019 from 9am-11am at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2075 70th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077. An 11am funeral service will be followed by a noon luncheon. Internment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be at 2pm Assembly Lane #5.
Laska, Irene Lucille
(nee Wenner)
Born 6/29/1934, passed away peacefully on 1/29/19. Preceded in death by her parents, Bertrum Wenner and Margaret (O’Herin) Wenner; brothers, Lawrence, Louis, and Roman; sister, Evelyn. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband, Richard; sons, James (Betty), Leonard, and David (Meliene); grandchildren, Aaron, Anthony, and Samantha; great-grandchildren, Aniyah and Alikai; brothers, Alvin and Daniel; sisters, Ruth, Joan, and Elizabeth; also many nieces and nephews. Irene enjoyed her family, travel, music, casinos and watching Twins games. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church, 3535 72nd Street E., Inver Grove Heights, MN on Saturday, February 2nd at 11:00 a.m., with Visitation at Church one hour prior to Mass. Luncheon to follow. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights MN. Heartfelt gratitude from the family goes out to the staff at Our Lady of Peace Hospice and Fairview Hospice for Irene’s excellent care.
Drentlaw, Glenn W.
Age 94 of Inver Grove Heights.
Passed away peacefully on January 25, 2019. Preceded in death by wife, Leona; sister, Leone. Survived by children, Mike (Krissa), Pam (Bill) Rich, Brian (Jenene), and Wayne; grandchildren, Casey (Chris) DeVries, Timothy & Dustin Collier; many great-grandchildren. Glenn was a World War II U.S. Navy Veteran. He worked at Armour Co. for 32 years. Memorial Service 3 PM Saturday, February 2nd, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave., Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 1-3 PM prior to the service. Private interment. Special thanks to the staffs of HealthPartners Hospice and Inver Glen Sr. Living for their loving care.