Mary Richards Funeral
Friday, October 17, 2025 | 11 AM
Mary (Schuler) Richards (87), previously of Cook, MN and Edina, MN died peacefully at a memory care facility on September 29, 2025, surrounded by family.
Mary was born in Munich, ND on June 18, 1938, one of eleven children. She graduated from Munich High School in 1956. She earned a degree in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and later, a Master of Nursing Education from the University of Minnesota.
She married Chuck Richards in 1961 and raised 2 children. She was a stay-at-home mom until the children were school-aged and then continued her nursing career.
She held various nursing positions: pediatrics, public health, elementary school nurse and finally, nursing instructor for 25 years at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. Mary contributed a chapter to a nursing textbook and wrote articles for nursing publications.
Chuck and Mary retired to their home on Lake Vermilion in 2001. Mary was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Cook, MN. She enjoyed bible study, baking, book club, sewing, and volunteering at the thrift shop. She traveled the world. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her children and 4 grandsons.
Mary is proceeded in death by her loving husband, Chuck Richards and several family members. Mary is survived by children Nancy Randolph (Daniel), Greg Richards (Sandy), and grandsons, Kyle Randolph (Nicole), Collin Randolph, Gavin Richards, Garrett Richards and several siblings and family members.
Visitation will be at 10 am. A lunch and private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St Croix Hospice Support Foundation or College of St. Scholastica Nursing Program Fund.
Ava Rudnicki Funeral
Friday, October 10, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Ava Mary Rudnicki, age 72, of Edina, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2025. Born in Little Falls, Minnesota, Ava was the beloved daughter of Paul T. Rudnicki and JoAnne (Schlichting) Rudnicki.
Ava’s early years were rooted in faith and community. She attended St. Mary’s Grade School and graduated from St. Francis High School in Little Falls. Ava continued to grow in her faith and was known by many to be a spiritual person. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from St. Cloud State University and later received her Master’s degree from the University of Minnesota.
Her career in social work began in Luverne, Minnesota, where she served with compassion and dedication. She later joined Hennepin County, October of 1980, where she continued her work until retirement in 2016—always advocating for those in need with grace and empathy.
Ava had a zest for life and a spirit of adventure. She traveled extensively, exploring cultures and landscapes around the world. She found joy in hiking, browsing estate sales, and crafting beautifully personal greeting cards that touched the hearts of many. Known for her quick wit and warm humor, Ava always had a clever quip ready to brighten someone’s day.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and JoAnne Rudnicki. Ava is survived by her siblings Claire (Robert) Mahling, Paula (Paul) Tesch, Stephen Rudnicki, and Jennifer Hewitt; and by her step-siblings Adrene (Herald) Hadley, Cathie (Jim) Fosburgh, Jim Deminsky (Cheri), John Deminsky (Jan), Mark Deminsky (Elaine), and Mike Deminsky. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who will carry forward her memory with love.
A funeral Mass will be held in celebration of Ava’s life on October 10,2025, 11:00 a.m. with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota.
Ava’s legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the laughter she shared, and the love she gave so freely.
William John LeVoir Funeral
Monday, October 6, 2025 | 11:00 AM
William John LeVoir of Edina MN, was born on October 3, 1957 and died on September 26, 2025. He was 67 years and 358 days old. He is survived by his devoted wife of 40 years, Holly Zimmerman LeVoir, daughter Alissa, son Tony LeVoir (Kim), brothers Ken (Elaine), Tom (Terry), Mike (Pam), Pat (Wendy), sister Bonnie (Steve) Graupner, sisters-in-law, Laurel, Donna and Julie Zimmerman, and many much loved nieces and nephews.
A lifelong resident of Edina, Bill graduated from Our Lady of Grace elementary school, Benilde High School, and the University of Minnesota, where he met Holly, the love of his life.They had an incredible marriage and loved to dance and make each other laugh. Bill made friends easily and had very close, life-long friendships with his classmates and colleagues. He had a quick wit and enjoyed making people laugh as much as he enjoyed laughing. He had a successful career as VP of Sales at Mackay Mitchell Envelope Co., where he worked for 40 years and made life-long friends with his colleagues.
Bill was a quintessential family man. He loved coaching his children in sports and traveling with his family around the world, especially to Spain, where his wife traveled for work and where his daughter now lives. They consider their Spanish friends, “family.” From the age of 14, Bill suffered from ulcerative colitis. Throughout his life he had serious health consequences but he powered through with a smile and a joke. He was on the football, track and basketball teams in high scjimlanserhool. Bill was a 50-year practitioner of martial arts (4th degree black belt), a single-digit handicap golfer and an avid fisherman. He had a special place in his heart for his friends.
Visitation at 10 AM prior to the Funeral Mass at 11 AM. There will also be visitation at Washburn McReavy Edina Chapel on Sunday, October 5 from 5-7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Crohns/Colitis Foundation, American Cancer Society, or any charity of choice.
Mary Hays Wanninger Funeral
Thursday, October 2, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Mary Hays Callaghan Wanninger, 90, of Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Mary is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Dr. Lester Wanninger; her children, John (Carrie), Jimmy, and Katie (Brad Smith); and her grandchildren, Lexie, Ellie, Callie, Lilli, and Finn. She was preceded in death by her cherished brother, Lansing (Helen), and is survived by her beautiful sister, Janie (Larry Pederson).
Born July 2, 1935, in Duluth, MN, to Dr. Desmond Hays and Martha Callaghan, Mary grew up in Hayward, WI. She graduated from Stanbrook Hall High School and earned her degree in Public Health Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine.
Mary began her career helping organize the first polio vaccination campaign in California’s East Bay, immunizing over a million people in one day. She later served 25 years as Nursing Director for Children’s Services at the Minnesota Department of Health.
On December 29, 1962, Mary married Les in Hayward on a 40-below-zero day warmed by love, champagne, lobster at Charlie’s, and a night at the Curtis Hotel. Together they raised a family, traveled widely, and filled their home with laughter, friends, and legendary Christmas celebrations.
Mary loved shopping at Dayton’s, writing, reading, puzzles, and music, especially Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, and polka. She was never without her lipstick, always stylish, and had a passion for football and golf. Her sparkling wit, unforgettable cackle, and ability to laugh hardest at her own jokes made her truly one of a kind.
Visitation at 10 AM before the funeral. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Mary can be made to Methodist Hospital.
Jim LoPesio Funeral
Monday, August 11, 2025 | 11:00 AM
James "Jim" LoPesio, age 94, of Edina, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 4, 2025.
Survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Caterina; children, Dino (Patricia) LoPesio, Vito (Laurie) LoPesio, Carla (Carter) Aguilar, Jim Jr. "Gino" LoPesio, Antonio "Tony" LoPesio (Dave), Gina LoPesio; grandchildren, Nico, Marco, Santino, and Sienna; sister-in-law, Mimma Gumina; brother-in-law, Pino Salerno; also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Preceded in death by parents, Domenico and Immecolata LoPesio; and daughter-in-law, Lena LoPesio.
Jim was very proud of his Italian heritage. He was an accomplished accordion player and enjoyed playing for friends. He was a musician, a retail business owner and a real estate investor. Above all, Jim was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be deeply missed.
Visitation 4-7 PM, Sunday August 10 at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 West 50th Street. Entombment St Mary's Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Grace Church or American Cancer Society.
Violet May LaRue Funeral
Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Violet May LaRue (Burnos) was born September 9, 1936, to parents Agnes and Lucian Burnos in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Violet was sent to her eternal home on July 16, 2025. She was preceded in death by her son, David LaRue, and by her siblings Adeline, Tusha, Willie, and Charlotte.
Violet was the sunshine to everyone who met her. Those who had the privilege to know her, loved her infectious smile, her fun loving nature. Her journey on this earth was marked by love; compassion for helping others; her dedication to providing for her 8 children by working various jobs, including at Reuben Lindh Learning Center in South Minneapolis helping other single moms by teaching them skills to help their disabled children. We ask that you remember Violet not by the way her life ended; but for the way it was lived, and for the profound impact it had on those who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Violet is survived by her brother, Jim Burnos (Sharon); her 7 children Paul (Cheryl), Lori (Michael Pew), Jon, Mark (Robin), Ron, Jerry, and Jennifer (Dennis Donnay); in addition to her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Visitation will be at 10:15 AM prior to the and Funeral Mass. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be made in Violet’s name to Our Lady of Peace (hospice care) in St. Paul, MN.
Violet was a force of strength and will be greatly missed by all.
Robert ‘Jerry’ O'Brien Funeral
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 | 11:00 AM
Robert “Jerry” Jerome O’Brien, 90, of Edina, MN, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and friends.
Born on November 11, 1934, in Westboro, Wisconsin, Jerry was the son of Robert and Verna O’Brien. The oldest of 8 he grew up in a loving and lively household, eventually earning his degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He proudly served in the U.S. Army before embarking on a long and successful career as a Sales Engineer with The Trane Company.
Jerry married the love of his life, Shirley Mae O’Brien, and together they shared 71 devoted years. Their marriage was a beautiful example of enduring love, partnership, and deep mutual care.
He was the proud father of Richard, Mary Brigid, Sean, Shannon and Patrick (Emily), and beloved uncle, and mentor to many. Jerry was preceded in death by sons Richard and Sean, daughter Mary Brigid, and sisters Julie, Beth Ellen, and Sharon. He is survived by his sister Juanita and brothers Steven, Michael, and Joseph, along with a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and extended family—each of whom he loved deeply. Jerry was also blessed with a strong circle of friends who enriched his life and whom he enriched in return.
Jerry had an active and joyful spirit. He was a longtime member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, the Serra Club, and Christ Renews his Parish. He refereed college and high school football for many years and he also loved playing tennis and skiing.
Those who knew him will remember his warmth, his friendliness, and the kindness he showed to everyone he met. He had a gift for making people feel seen, welcomed, and appreciated.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass. Burial will follow at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Little Sisters of the Poor, an organization close to Jerry’s heart.
Jerry lived a full, generous, and joyful life. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.