Obituaries

Sep 1, 2019

Harper B. Williams, age 70, of Bloomington, passed away on September 1, 2019.

Preceded in death by his parents, Brice Williams and Elizabeth Edwards.

Harper is survived by his significant other. Durkee Thompson; children, Annaliza (Stephen) Cornwall, Richard (Christina Funari) and Elizabeth Williams; brothers, Mark (Cindy) Williams, Randy (Staci) Leeds, Rick (Sheila) Williams; sisters, Dottee...

Aug 26, 2019

David Edward Haupert, age 75, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2019.

Preceded in death by parents, Alice and Aelred; brothers, Dick and John; sister, Jean Ristow; nephew, Troy; and niece, Melissa. Survived by loving wife of 51 years, Rosanne; children, Sara (Scott) Boyea and Michael; grandchildren, Bryce, Joshua, and Logan; siblings, Darrell,...

Aug 23, 2019

James A. Schilling, age 97, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2019.

Preceded in death by wife, Louise; infant son; parents, George and Elva; and brother, Lambert. Survived by children, Joan (Andy) Decker, Joel (Yvonne Killeen), John (Debbie), and Jill Schilling; four grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

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Aug 21, 2019

Dennis Hanna, age 75, of Phoenix, AZ, formally of Grey Cloud Island, MN, passed away August 21, 2019.

Preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Audry Hanna; sister, Bonnie Parker; and brother, David. Survived by wife, Elizabeth; children, Lee of St. Paul and Susan Strickland (Kevin) of St. Croix, V.I.; sister, Janette Brost (Bert); brothers Gerald...

Aug 20, 2019

Joshua Ross Strawn, age 32, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2019.

He is survived by his parents, Ramona “Mona” and Shelby “Chuck” Strawn; brother, Adam and his cat, Otis Driftwood.

A celebration of life will be held at Sherwood Lounge on September 8, 2019 from 1-6 PM, 1418 White Bear Ave,...

Aug 18, 2019

Norma Jean Benton, age 89, passed away peacefully at her home on August 18, 2019.

Private family services are planned.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Inez Fry.  Norma is survived by her children Rick Benton and Kay (Robert) Kennedy; grandchildren Carla Nunez, Ricky Benton, Matthew (Kate) Yost, Benjamin (Kelsey) Yost,...

Aug 17, 2019

Robert Sullivan, age 81 of Cottage Grove, passed away August 17, 2019.

Visitation will be 5-7 pm Monday, August 26th at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with the funeral service starting at 7 pm.  Private interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery on Tuesday, August 27th.  Memorials may be directed to...

Aug 14, 2019

Matthew “Matt” Sandeen, age 30, of St. Paul Park, passed away unexpectedly on August 14, 2019.

Matt is survived by his parents, Garry and Lori Sandeen; sister, Kristi.

He touched the lives of his friends and family as well as the community. He is loved and will be dearly missed.

Celebration of Life...

Aug 12, 2019

Donald “Don” Paul Jepson, age 84, of Cottage Grove, passed away on September 18, 2019.

Memorial services 11 AM with visitation beginning at 10 AM, on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Norris Square Chapel, 6995 80th St S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Interment will be at St. Thomas Aquinas Cemetery.

Don Jepson was born on...

Aug 12, 2019

Avanell Ann Koenig, age 88, of Cottage Grove, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2019.

She is preceded in death by her husband, James and daughter Kathleen Koenig-DeLeon.

Avanell is survived by her daughter, Debra (Jeff) Koenig-Getty; grandchildren, Amanda Getty and Samuel (Kita) Getty.

Memorial Service will be held on 11 AM with...

Aug 12, 2019

Roger R. Brown, age 65, of Cottage Grove, passed away on October 2, 2019.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Laurice Brown; as well as Jane’s parents, Daniel and Carol Kemp.

Roger is survived by his significant other, Jane Kemp; brothers, Bob (Kim), Ronald (Sandy), Rodney (Susan) and many nieces and...

Aug 10, 2019

Kevin Olzenak, age 53 of Cottage Grove, passed away August 10, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial service will be 1 pm Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation starting at 10 am until the time of service.  Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery, St. Paul. ...

Aug 8, 2019

Robert “Bob” Kamrath, age 82, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Survived by loving wife of 59 years, Beth; children, Barb Culbertson, Mark (Jill), Pat (Debbie), and Kelly (Jolynn); grandchildren, Jesse (Holly), Jamie, Jason, Kristin, Austin, Brittany (Jake), Alyssa, and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Nole, Bella, Jon, and Maverick; and brother, George (Judy); and...

Aug 7, 2019

Richard L. VanHalanger Jr., age 69, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 after a long battle with Myleofibrosis.

Preceded in death by parents, Richard and Eleanor; aunt, Josephine Pagani; and uncle, Neil Pagani. Survived by loving wife, Marilyne; sons, Justin (Meagen) and Brandon (Kristina); grandchildren, Evan, Cameron, and Aria; sister, Valerie (Doug)...

Aug 5, 2019

James H. Janssen, age 90, of Cottage Grove, passed away August 5, 2019.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley and grandson, Joe Toney Sandersen.

Jim is survived by his wife, Eileen; children, David, Ruth, Mary and Albert; step-children, Jeanne, Marilyn, Kathleen and Mark; grandchildren, Lee, Tristan, Rachael, Albert, Jesse and Samantha;...

Aug 4, 2019

Howard L. Babcock

1940 - 2019

Howard L. Babcock hated Japanese beetles, but he loved just about everything else about gardening — especially watering his yard and sharing raspberries and tomatoes.  For over 50 years in Cottage Grove, MN, he never lost his roots as a farmer.  He loved being outside both in his large...

Jul 30, 2019

Steve Ditzler, age 46, of Cottage Grove died unexpectedly on July 30, 2019.

Memorial gathering will be 4-7 pm, Sunday, August 4, 2019 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove.  Interment will be 10 am, Monday, August 5, 2019 at Resurrection Cemetery, 2101 Lexington Ave. S., Mendota Heights.

Steven Joseph Ditzler...

Jul 28, 2019

Øyvind H. Iversen, age 77 of Cottage Grove, passed away July 28, 2019.

Celebration of life service will be 11 am, Thursday, August 8, 2019 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S, Cottage Grove, with visitation starting at 9 am until the time of service.

Øyvind H. Iversen was born March 18, 1942 in...

Jul 26, 2019

Michaela “Micka” Kelley Andersen, age 49 of Newport passed away unexpectedly on July 26, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 am, Friday, August 2, 2019 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park with visitation starting at 9 am until the time of service.  A luncheon will be served following.  Burial...

Jul 26, 2019

Robin Dale Gustafson, age 63, of St. Paul Park, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Son of Robert and Janet (Elton) Gustafson was born on December 22, 1955, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in South Minneapolis attending the same elementary school as his father. Briefly, Rob lived in Brainerd and then settled in Cottage...