Obituaries

Apr 15, 2019

Marilyn Smith, 82, of Cottage Grove passed away on Monday, April 15, 2019 surrounded by her family at home. She fought a courageous battle with cancer.

She loved doing crafty things like faux painting, glass painting, and sewing. She loved her beautiful house and kept it meticulously.  The last 25 years she worked, was for Wells Fargo...

Apr 15, 2019

Morris “Sonny” Skare Jr., age 80 of St. Paul Park, passed away unexpectedly on April 15, 2019.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 am, Thursday, April 25, 2019 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 920 Holley Ave., St. Paul Park with visitation one hour prior.  Interment in Newport Cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his...

Apr 14, 2019

Eugene L. (Gene) Raeker, 89, died April 14 at Region’s Hospital with his family at his side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 am, Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at The Church of St. Rita, 8694 – 80th Street S., Cottage Grove.  Visitation will be Monday, April 22, 2019, 5-8 pm, at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 –...

Apr 14, 2019

William “Bill” Petrich, 73, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully, Sunday, April 14, 2019.

Survived by wife of 48 years, Carol Petrich; children, Gary Petrich and Brian (Jen) Petrich; grandchildren, William and  Katherine Petrich.

Memorial Services will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, May 3, 2019 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Apr 11, 2019

Robert “Bobby” Charles Lauppe II

Age 27

Cottage Grove, Minnesota

During the Halloween Blizzard of ’91, Bobby was born to Scott and Lorie Lauppe.  The same week the Twins won the World Series Championship, another champion was born.  Bobby was born with a major heart defect, but through many open-heart surgeries and countless...

Apr 5, 2019

Juanita Aultman, age 82, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 5, 2019.

Preceded in death by husband, Paul; five sisters and two brothers. Survived by children, Nancy (Pat) Olive, JD (Emperatriz) Stewart, Harry, and Isal Aultman; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and sister, Liz Engle.

Private family services are...

Apr 1, 2019

Sheila Rae Befort, age 72, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2019.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Befort; children, Amanda and Brandon Befort; one grandchild, Lindy; brother, Ron (Marie) Molumby.

Preceded in death by her sister, Sharon Molumby.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5...

Mar 27, 2019

Carole L. (nee Mueller) Zacho

Age 83, of Cottage Grove

Passed away peacefully on March 27, 2019. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gene Zacho; children, Bradley (Barbara) Zacho, Elizabeth (Daniel) Elliott; grandchildren, Dale (Mei) Eckstrom and Anna Zacho; and sister, Lois (James) Maus.

Carole is preceded in...

Mar 24, 2019

Carol Brotzler, age 86, of Cottage Grove, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 24, 2019 while surrounded by her loving family.

Preceded in death by husband, Harold Brotzler; children, Michael Jankowski and Mary Jo LeTendre. Survived by children, Jerry (Julie) Stahosky, Joy Stahosky, Gayle Brotzler, Karen Brotzler, and Julie (Bob) Fox; many grandchildren and...

Mar 24, 2019

Richard C. Davison, age 72, of Cottage Grove, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 24, 2019.

Preceded in death by wife, Deanna; parents, Leslie and Margaret; and other immediate family members. Survived by children; grandchildren; and other immediate family members.

Funeral Service 11 AM with visitation beginning at 10 AM, Monday, April 1, 2019 at...

Mar 24, 2019

Frank A. Yekaldo, age 84 of Inver Grove Heights, formerly of East St. Paul, passed away March 24, 2019.

A memorial service will be 2 pm, Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 80th Street S., Cottage Grove with visitation one hour prior.

Frank Anthony Yekaldo was born February 6, 1935 in St....

Mar 21, 2019

Kevin L. Van Voorst, age 50, of Newport, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 21, 2019 while surrounded by loving family after a two-year battle with cancer.

Preceded in death by parents, James and Greta; brothers, Alvin, James Jr., and Timothy; and mother-in-law, Denise Maier. Survived by wife, Angie; children, Amber, Joseph, and Kayla; siblings, Lois (Alvin)...

Mar 15, 2019

Hastings, MN – Sheila Miriam Bria, 77, of Hastings, MN passed away surrounded by family on Friday, March 15, 2019, following a short battle with cancer.

She was born November 16, 1941 in Ironwood, Michigan, to the late Syme and Martin Tammelin. On July 8, 1961, she was united in marriage to Donald John Bria.

...

Mar 15, 2019

Suzan Lee Carpenter, a dedicated wife and mother, age 62, of Woodbury, MN passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, Friday, March 15, 2019.

Survived by her devoted husband, Michael Carpenter; daughters, Brianne Baker, Emily Carpenter, Tiffany (Jake McDaniels) Carpenter; step-sons, Michael Carpenter and Joseph Carpenter; grandchildren, Maddy, Athena. Aida, Audrey, and Malcolm; step-grandson, Logan Carpenter;...

Mar 14, 2019

Ray passed away peacefully with his wife, Sandy and daughter, Tracy by his side on March 14, 2019.

Ray was a 92-year-old WWII Navy veteran.  He was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa and was the fourth in a family of seven siblings which also included seven older half-brothers.  His work with the USDA as a...

Mar 12, 2019

Daniel Carter Blomgren, age 86, St. Paul Park, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Survived by children, Donna Blomgren, Theresa Mann, Patty (Rick VanderSchaaf) Blomgren, Danny (Vickie) Blomgren, Michael Blomgren; grandchildren, Ryan (Carli) Sam, Jenny (Richard) Coffey, Nichole Zacharias, Michael (Tiffany) Zacharias, Brooke Blomgren, Tony Blomgren; 10 great-granchildren and 1 great- great granddaughter; brother, Al...

Mar 12, 2019

Curtis Raymond Kelsey, age 90, St. Paul Park, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.

Survived by children, Kathleen Kelsey (Dennis Halverson), Kirt (Phyllis), Daniel (Bonnie), Dennis (Anne), Cynthia (John) Niemann, and Timothy (Loretta); ten grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and sister, Marlene Dombrock.

The family would like to thank Mission Nursing Home and Brookside...

Mar 8, 2019

Alan Gene Sandkamp, age 85, of Cottage Grove, died peacefully on March 8, 2019 surrounded by family.

Preceded in death by parents, Harry B. and Eleanor Sandkamp; brothers, Leo and W.J. Bernie; sisters, Marcia Ell, Helen Jansen, and Norma Koenigs. Survived by loving siblings, Elaine Simone, Virgil (Joan) Sandkamp, Carol Devereaux, Mary Jane (Michael) Pisano, JoAnn (Michael)...

Mar 8, 2019

Donald James Waldbillig, age 92, of St. Paul Park, died in God’s grace at Our Lady of Peace Hospice House on March 8, 2019.

Don was born into a large family on a farm in Amery, Wisconsin on November 18, 1926, the youngest of six. Daily chores included hand milking cows. He maintained his love of gardening,...

Mar 7, 2019

Gerald Raths, age 68, of St. Paul Park, passed away on Thursday, March 7, 2019.

Survived by children, Tim and Christine (Scott) Thompson; grandchildren, Kassidi, Aiden, and Jacob; sisters, Marlene (Ferd) Eischens, Shirley (Richard) Parpart, and Jodell (Jim) Miller; and special friend, Virginia Foote.

Visitation 2-4 PM with Memorial Service at 3 PM, Thursday, March...