Our Good Friend Bob
December 31, 2009
Bob Beattie retired from a long career with NSP in 1985. My grandma, Margaret Waldo called him shortly after, and inquired if he wanted to deliver flowers. “Why me, he asked?” “Because you know where everyone lives,” replied my grandma. That was the start of our relationship with Bob, as a kid we would help at the store and once able to drive we would deliver with him during the holidays. He would load the truck up with deliveries and not once have to crack the hudson map, because of days on the road reading meters for NSP. Grandma was right, he knew where everyone lived.
Bob helped at the store for many years and when we opened the funeral home he asked if he could help working visitations & funerals. Of course I didn’t hesitate to welcome him. Always in a good mood, he was a regular stopping in both the store and the funeral home to visit, and within the last year those visits became few and far between because his health. Sitting in church this Christmas Eve, I turned to Chaleece and mentioned we should stop and see Bob at Birchwood. As my boys stood well behaved, Chaleece & I sat with him and had a great conversation, as he was looking forward to returning home within the next week. Two nights later relaxing at home, I heard my phone in the kitchen, scrolling down to see: name of the deceased- Robert Beattie. On my way to the hospital that night, I recalled one of the last times Bob stopped to visit at the funeral home. He was talking about his health and said, “Kelly, I’ve had a good life.”
Three hundred people were at his beloved Faith Lutheran Church yesterday to celebrate his life. A true testament to man who gave of himself through church, lions club, meals on wheels, and many more causes to make his community a better place. Bob Beattie had a good life, who left a legacy, and will be deeply missed by many.
Thank you Bob for saying yes to grandma 25 years ago….
Robert J. Beattie of Forest Lake, MN
December 26, 2009
Date of Birth : March 27, 1927
Date of Death: December 26, 2009
38 year NSP/Xcel Energy Employee age 82 of Forest Lake, passed away on December 26, 2009. Preceded in death by son, Richard; parents, James and Myrtle; sister-in-law, Marge Beattie. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Clarice; children, Mike, Mark and Sue (Terry) Brelje; grandchildren, Dan and Andrea Brelje; brothers, Bill (Bernie) and John (Orphy); nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Bob can be remembered for his commitment to Faith Lutheran Church and Choir, volunteering throughout Forest Lake including Lions, Relay for Life and Meals On Wheels. He also refereed many high school basketball and football games and was an enthusiastic sports fan.
Visitation & Funeral Service
Visitation 3-7 PM Tuesday, Dec. 29th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake. Funeral service 11 AM Wednesday, Dec. 30th at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake with visitation beginning at 10 AM until time of service. Family interment Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Faith Lutheran Church.
George W. Franta of Forest Lake, MN
December 20, 2009
Date of Birth: December 2, 1919
Date of Death: December 19, 2009
Retired Whirlpool Employee, age 90 of Forest Lake, passed away on December19, 2009. Preceded in death by parents, W.J. and Mary; brother, Ernest; sister, Albina Saumer. Survived by wife of 63 years, Vivian; children, Bill (Helen), Jim (Cathy), Kathy (Dean) Larson, Joan (John) Grobe, Wally (Carol), Dan (Mary), Sue (Mark) Brewer, Mary (Tom) Gessner and John (Jo) Franta; 18 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; sister, Regina (Robert) Reiser; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Visitation & Mass of Christian Burial
Visitation 2-6 PM Sunday, Dec. 27th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake and continuing Monday 9 AM – 10 AM at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Monday, Dec. 28th at St. Peter Catholic Church, 1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake. Memorials to St. Peter’s School Endowment.
Anna B. (Long) Waldo of Landfall, MN
December 19, 2009
Date of Birth: June 10, 1938
Date of Death: December 19, 2009
Anna B. (Long) Waldo, Age 71, Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grand Mother, Sister. She passed away peacefully, Saturday Morning, December 19, 2009 surrounded by Family members and loved ones. Anna was born and raised in Keflavik, Iceland and Arrived in Forest Lake, Mn. 49 years ago and was a long time resident. She was currently living in Landfall, Mn.
She is preceded in death by her Parents, Sister and former husband Charles Waldo. She is survived by her children, Bryant (Cheryl) Waldo, Harold Waldo, and Charlann (Ronald) Fitzgibbon and her long time companion, Peter Kulas. She is also survived by 8 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. She is also survived by many sisters, one brother and other family members in Iceland.
Our family would like to thank the Hospice team at Health Partners for their compassionate and professional care. A memorial service will be held at a later date with family and friends.
Warren K. Lerfald of Forest Lake, MN
December 17, 2009
Date of Birth: July 18, 1941
Date of Death: December 16, 2009
Age 68, of Forest Lake passed away on Dec. 16, 2009. Survived by wife, Jackie; daughters, Sharon Paige (Michael) Nordling and Heidi Rae (Richard) Lapka; granddaughters, Lauren Paige, Rachael Lee, and Claire Elizabeth Nordling and one anticipated grandchild in Feb. 2010; brother, Robert (Kathy); sister-in-law, Pat Lerfald; nephews, Erik (Cheryl) and Kyle; nieces, Gail (Jerry) McCarthy and Pamela Lerfald; great nieces and nephews, Andrea (Mike) Shaffer, Amanda Lerfald, Elizabeth Lerfald, Tricia Lerfald and Tiffany Lerfald. Preceded in death by parents, Olaf and Lorraine; brother, John; and nephew, Greg.
Memorial Service
Memorial service 2PM Tuesday, December 22nd at Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9300 Scandia Trail North, Forest Lake with a gathering of friends one hour prior to the service. Interment Ft. Snelling National Cemetery.
Margaret Louise Lewis formerly of Lindstrom, MN
December 15, 2009
Date of Birth: April 9, 1938
Date of Death: December 15, 2009
Beloved Mother, Grandmother and dear friend. Age 71, formerly of Lindstrom passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Dec. 15, 2009. Preceded by her parents, Lloyd and Alma Hatch and three brothers, Lloyd, Raymond and Jerry Hatch. Survived by her four children, Theresa (Scott) Hamilton, Bobby Massey, Kerri (Kurt) Deile and Shelley (Scott) Kolb; seven grandchildren, Kris, Krystle, Tyler, Nikki, Sydney, Dylan and Samuel; two great grandchildren, Jesse and Ciena; eight brothers and sisters, Arthur Hatch, Kenneth Hatch, Helen Polanko, Betty Torrey, Lida Blankenship, Norma Martin, Patty Hatch and Dorene Royse and many friends.
Memorial Service
Memorial Service 11 AM Monday, December 21st at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr. SW, Forest Lake, MN with a gathering of friends and family beginning at 10 AM until the time of the service.
LeRoy G. Petry of Forest Lake, MN
December 10, 2009
Date of Birth: May 28, 1937
Date of Death: December 10, 2009
Passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer on Dec. 10th. Preceded in death by parents, Otto & Anna; siblings, Norman & Hazel. Survived by wife, Marjorie; daughters,
Kelly (Darwin) Hjort, Sally (Leo) Sanftner, Linda ( Mark) Marshall; son, LeRoy (Vicki); 17 grandchildren & 10 great grandchildren.
Vistation & Memorial Service
Memorial Service 2:30 PM with visitation one hour prior, Tues. Dec. 15th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Dr., Forest Lake.
Clifford T. Dupre of Forest Lake, MN
December 8, 2009
Date of Birth: February 6, 1925
Date of Death: December 8, 2009
Beloved Dad, Grandpa, Dear Friend, age 84 passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 8, 2009. Preceded in death by parents, William and Clara; brothers, Ivan and Harry; sister, Theresa Steiner. Survived by children, Gina (Scott) Wiberg, Cindy (Lyle) Olson and John (Kimberley) Dupre; grandchildren, Sherine, Nicholas and Shonna; former wife, Carol; brothers, Henry, Albert and Lester; sister, Virginia Doree and other relatives and friends.
Visitation & Funeral
Visitation 2-6 PM Sunday, Dec. 13th at Roberts Family Funeral Home, 555 Centennial Dr SW, Forest Lake. Funeral 11 AM Monday, Dec. 14th at the funeral home with visitation beginning at 10 AM. Interment Evergreen Cemetery, Mahtomedi.
Rodney J. Wilson of Forest Lake, MN
December 8, 2009
Date of Birth: April 30, 1932
Date of Death: December 7, 2009
Age 77 of Forest Lake passed away on Monday, December 7, 2009 at Birchwood Healthcare Center. Rodney was retired from 3M and proudly served in the US Coast Guard. A graveside service will be held at the Walkerville Cemetery in Whitehall, Illinois where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Dorothy. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife. Funeral arrangements have been handled by Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake.
Tom P. Stanchfield of Stacy, MN
December 1, 2009
Date of Birth: March 22, 1924
Date of Death: December 1, 2009
U.S. Army Veteran Beloved Dad and Grandpa Age 85 of Minneapolis, passed away on Dec. 1, 2009. Longtime employee of Minnegasco, avid hunter and golfer. Survived by his grateful children, John and Kiki along with grandchildren, family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial & Celebration of Life
Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Friday, Dec. 4th at St. Bridget of Sweden Catholic Church, 13060 Lake Blvd., Lindstrom with visitation beginning at 10:30 AM. A celebration of Tom’s life will continue immediately following the services at his son’s home. Interment St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Watkins, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to family.