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.

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.