Obituaries
Linus Schmitz
Apr 24, 2023
Linus Joseph Schmitz, age 75, of Cottage Grove, was born in 1947 in Regal, MN to Anton and Anna Schmitz.
Linus graduated from Paynesville High School. He broke the record for the 440-yard run at 54.5 seconds in 1963 which remained unbroken for many years. He joined the Army reserves with an honorable discharge. Linus worked many years in the...
Donna Jean Spychalla
Apr 23, 2023
Donna Jean Spychalla, age 83, of Hastings, passed away on Sunday April 23, 2023. Preceded in death by her daughter, Amy Spychalla; parents, Raymond and Gertrude Edwards; and brother, Gerald Edwards. Survived by husband, Leo of 65 years; children, Leo (Jean), Laura Kocak (Paul), and Alan (Wendy); nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and brother, Richard Edwards. Memorial Gathering...
Thomas Peter Gardner
Apr 13, 2023
Thomas “Tom” P. Gardner, age 78, of Saint Paul Park, passed away unexpectedly, from a sudden illness on Thursday, April 13, 2023.
Tom will always be remembered as a fisherman and photographer. He enjoyed odd jobs and staying busy. Tom worked for the US Postal Service for 35 years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Vicki; children, Elizabeth "Betsy" (James...
Mildred Bertha Schmit
Apr 12, 2023
Mildred “Millie” Bertha Schmit, age 93, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Millie was a loving mother and grandmother, devout Catholic, and talented Pianist and Bell Choir Member. She will be missed by many friends, especially her church friends.
Millie is survived by her children, Joe (Patty), Dan, Mary (Michael), and Ann; grandchildren, Joe,...
Donald "Don" Kulesa
Apr 12, 2023
Donald “Don” Kulesa, age 82, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
Donald Duane Kulesa was born June 14, 1940, to parents Anthony and Anna (nee Gruby) in Waubay, South Dakota. He was the third of seven children. He was drafted and proudly served in the US Army. After returning from the service, Don moved...
Joanne Best-Gatlin
Apr 9, 2023
Joanne E. Best-Gatlin, age 50, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2023, after a three-year battle with Guillan-Barre.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Joanne; brother, Daniel; grandmother, Edith; and father-in-law James Corbin Sr.
Joanne is survived by her three sons, Danny (Kirsten) Gatlin, Dillon (Kelsey) Gatlin, and Dalton Gatlin; twin sister, Jonene...
Laurie M. Hampton
Apr 9, 2023
Laurie M. Hampton, age 83, of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Preceded in death by husband, Edward "Bud"; and sons, Daniel and Steven. Survived by children, Michael, Robert "Bob", and Kelly Jarosz; grandchildren, Nick (Jill), John (Megan) Nick, Corey, and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Magnolia and Kamden Nick; sisters-in-law, Mary Kay Paul and Beverly...
Pieter Bierma
Apr 8, 2023
On April 7th at 5:00 AM, Pieter was rushed to the hospital with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. Emergency surgery was performed and two stents were placed in each leg up to the aneurysm. Despite the best efforts of his care team, his systems began shutting down and the decision was made to remove life support. He passed shortly after...
Terrence "Terry" Richard Bondeson
Apr 8, 2023
Terrence "Terry" Richard Bondeson, age 83 (82 if you asked him) of Woodbury, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 8, 2023. Terry is preceded in death by his son, Terrence Jr.; and parents, Hector and Helen. Terry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Ann; his children, Steve, Gary, and Teresa; grandchildren, Terry (Andrea), Brad, Andy, Daryl, Stephanie,...
Stephen Arthur Swan
Apr 4, 2023
Stephen Arthur Swan, age 74, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at his home.
Steve was born on October 13, 1948 in Duluth, MN to Lawrence and Joyce (Nordal) Swan. He graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1967 and was united in marriage to Roberta Wiesen on June 30, 1973. The couple lived in the...
Roberta "Bobbie" Josephine Fisher
Apr 3, 2023
Roberta “Bobbie” J. Fisher, age 77, of Oakdale and formerly of Newport, passed away with family by her side on Monday, April 3, 2023.
Bobbie was a former owner of Fisher Foods in Newport.
She is survived by son, Scott Fisher; daughter, Dawn (Dean) Sagstetter; grandchildren, Courtney (Eric) Holmstrom, Cara (John) Greavu, and Jack Fisher; great-grandchildren, Leighton and Easton Holmstrom;...
Natasha Tariro Gorerokufa
Mar 30, 2023
Natasha Tariro Gorerokufa, age 28, of Cottage Grove, MN, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2023, while surrounded by loving family in the comfort of her home. Survived by father, Julius Gorerokufa and his wife Priscilla Ngwerume; mother, Fungai Mafara; siblings, Sipho Mafara, Kundai Gorerokufa, Paidamoyo Vera, and Anesu Gorerokufa; and other close family and friends.
Natasha was...
Karen J. Thistle
Mar 29, 2023
Karen J. Thistle, age 80, of Hastings, formerly of Cottage Grove, MN passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Vera Rohner, uncle Anton Rohner and many other relatives and friends.
Karen was born April 10, 1942 and grew up in Olivia MN graduating from Olivia High School in 1960. She then...
Sharon Marie Elling
Mar 28, 2023
Sharon Marie Elling passed away unexpectedly at home, at the age of 64 on 03/28/2023.
She was preceded in death by parents John & Jean Krysinski.
Survived by her husband of 27 years Ernie; sister, Bonnie (Mark); children, April (Jayme), Jon (Jamie), Jessica (Kent), Dusty (Vicki), Karl (Jessica); grandchildren, Lance (Megan), Brittney (Charlie), Reese, Cameron, Autumn, Zoe, Mason, Alyx, Chloe,...
Jeffrey "Jeff" Jerry
Mar 28, 2023
Jeffrey "Jeff" Jerry, age 59, of Cottage Grove, died peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 in the comfort of his home.
Preceded in death by father, Dennis; grandparents; and father-in-law, Earl Goracke. Survived by loving wife of 39 years, Lori (nee Goracke); children, Nick and Amanda (Jeremy Reischel); grandchildren, Tabitha and Corbin; mother,...
Bruce Jeffery Bakken, Jr.
Mar 27, 2023
Bruce Jeffery Bakken, Jr. 45, of Ellsworth, WI, formerly of Cottage Grove, passed away Monday, March 27, 2023 while on vacation in Colorado.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bruce, Sr.; paternal grandparents, Bruce and Dorothy; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Irma; and uncle, Gary.
Bruce will be deeply missed by his wife, Amber Bakken; children, Sonny (Madie) Constable,...
William P. Search
Mar 24, 2023
Passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family on March 24, 2023. Preceded in death by his devoted wife of 55 years. Survived by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will forever be in our hearts. Private service to be held at a later date.
Gordon F. Scaramuzzo
Mar 21, 2023
Gordon F. "Weets" Scaramuzzo, age 98, of West St. Paul, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 with beloved sons, Bill and Mike by his side.
Preceded in death by wife, Alice; daughter, Marc Ann; and daughter-in-law, Joyce. Gordon will be greatly missed by sons, Bill (Gail) and Mike; grandchildren, Tina (Mark) and Joe (Ryan); great-grandchildren, Vincenzo and Lucia; as...
Jerry (Delos) Bednarek
Mar 17, 2023
Jerry (Delos) Bednarek, age 86, of Woodbury, passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023, with his family by his side.
Jerry is survived by his daughters, Mary (Rod) Johnson, Kathy (Mike) Lipinski, and Karen (Steve) Kittay; his life partner of 10 years, Leila Allison; 7 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and siblings, Warren (Peggy) Heilgeist, and Roy (Marge) Bednarek.
...
Cynthia Denise Freeman
Mar 16, 2023
We are terribly saddened to announce the unexpected passing of Cynthia Freeman at the age of 68. She passed away from natural causes on March 16th at her family’s home in Cottage Grove.
Cynthia Denise Freeman, née Fischer was born on October 3rd, 1954 in Cape Girardeau, MO to parents Robert and Coralynn Fischer. She was passionate and creative, and...
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