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University of Minnesota Regent Kao Ly Ilean Her dies at 52

She was the U's first Hmong regent.

Gordy Johnson, innovative former Minneapolis police chief, dies of COVID-19 at 92

A 33-year career took him through stints as a sex crimes and homicide detective before his childhood friend Mayor Charles Stenvig appointed him chief in 1971.

Dan Culhane, Twin Cities radio veteran and onetime co-host of morning show on KQRS, dies at 62

You might not have met Dan Culhane, but there's a good chance you've heard his voice.At radio stations across the Twin Cities, Culhane voiced commercials…

Lois Ireland Zwettler, artist whose paintings captured Wisconsin, dies of COVID at 92

Her paintings had a sense of authenticity, art critics said, capturing the farmlands and lives of people with an empathy that comes from being one…

Mary Ann Milton, pioneering real estate broker and entrepreneur, dies of COVID-19 complications

As a woman working in a man's world in the 1950s, Mary Ann Milton found success on her own terms.Believed to be the first female…

Mildred Mae Hill, a teacher and family historian, dies of COVID-19 at 93

For several years, Mildred Mae Hill was a teacher.But her most cherished accomplishment may have been serving as the thread pulling together several generations of…

Hwei-Hsien Cheng, U soil scientist, dies of COVID-19 at 88

As a young boy, Hwei-Hsien Cheng and his family saw their lives uprooted by the Chinese Communist Revolution.But the longtime soil scientist devoted himself to…

Clara Slayhi, globe-trotter who worked for U.S. embassies, dies of COVID-19 at age 91

In a tiny town tucked in the farm fields of North Dakota, Clara Slayhi dreamed as a little girl of trekking to the far-flung countries…

LiHong 'Linda' Burdick, businesswoman and painter, dies of COVID-19 complications at 72.

LiHong "Linda" Burdick spun a rare talent into a successful business.For 30 years, the master seamstress operated Lotus Cleaners & Tailors in Eden Prairie, tending…

Shelly Meixsel, a Navy veteran and police records technician, dies of COVID-19 complications at 61

DULUTH – Shelly Meixsel had lived in seven states and three foreign countries by the time she graduated high school as her father's Air Force…

Violet Rocek, a social worker dedicated to helping Indigenous families, dies of COVID-19 at 85

Violet "Vi" Rocek devoted years of her life to helping Native American children thrive. A social worker at Twin Cities nonprofits serving Indigenous families, she…

Sai Shoua Yang, Hmong community leader, died of COVID-19 at 88

He traveled from Laos and refugee camps in Thailand to the fields of Minnesota.

Sen. Jerry Relph is first Minnesota lawmaker to die of COVID-19

The first-term GOP senator from St. Cloud received the diagnosis in mid-November after coming in contact with someone in the state Senate chamber who had tested positive.

Minnesota farm leader Anne Kanten dies

Anne Kanten fought bank foreclosures, organized tractorcades to Washington, D.C., and mobilized support for state and federal policy reforms to protect small farmers both in…

Together in life and death: Couples battle coronavirus

As COVID-19 has ravaged the elderly, couples who have spent nearly a lifetime together are dying together — days, sometimes hours apart. For some families, the losses are even more painful because a vaccine was almost within reach.

Marianne Anderson, an elementary school teacher who lived an epic love story, dies of COVID-19 at 89

Their story began during World War II and spanned multiple countries, several continents and 12 years before Marianne Baum ever even set eyes on her…

One man's struggle reflects state's loss of 5,000 to COVID

Michael Wright's picture captured the state's attention; his death underscores the pandemic threat that has killed more than 5,000 Minnesotans.

Lt. Tou-Fu Vang, Lao veteran and Hmong community leader, dies of COVID at 76

A quiet leader, he dedicated his life to public service, both in his native Laos and in the United States.

Jon Hersch, hall of fame track coach and educator, dies of COVID-19 complications at 74

One of the highlights of his career was working as an official at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Jon Rondesvedt, Robbinsdale English teacher, dies of COVID-19 complications at 81

Jon Rondestvedt had an intense love of literature and held nothing back as he shared that passion with students in Robbinsdale Area Schools, where he…

Lutheran pastor who combined his loves of ministry and nature dies of COVID-19 complications at age 58

The Rev. Jeff Walther, of Esko, Minn., died Oct. 25 of COVID-19 complications at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

Jean-Claude Tindillier, French chef, dies at 87

Even at 12 years old, Jean-Claude Tindillier had a discerning palate.One weekend, he ran away from his boarding school outside Paris, trekking 10 miles back…

Carleton Professor Sy Schuster, trailblazer for diversity, dies at 94

The accomplished math professor, mentor and social justice activist died just days after contracting COVID-19.

Robert Mennen, farmer and Purple Heart recipient, dies of COVID-19 at 77

  Robert Mennen was at rest in his casket under a white tent on the family farm in Truman, the southern Minnesota town he called…

Kenneth Meisel, federal air marshal and rancher, dies of COVID-19 at 55

  Ever since he was 18 years old, Kenneth Meisel was driven to protect and serve. First he was a U.S. Army paratrooper, then a…

Legendary Chisholm basketball coach McDonald dies after COVID diagnosis

Bob McDonald, the winningest coach in Minnesota high school sports history, died Wednesday in Hibbing at age 87. His teams won more than 1,000 games during a 59-year career.

Don Regan, founder of Premier Bank, beloved father, dies at 91

From Depression-era days as a 12-year-old shoveling coal and stoking the church furnace to, decades later, founding bus companies and banks, Donald Regan diligently earned…

Choua Lee Yang, founder of Hmong charter school, dies of COVID at 53

Nearly two decades ago, lifelong educator Choua Lee Yang had the ambitious idea to start a new school. In 2004, Yang and her husband, Cha…

Alden Hendrickson, U.S. Army vet and social services worker, dies of COVID-19 at 91

"Even though he had dementia, it's still sad that something like COVID-19 took his life," his son Tom said.

Virginia Louise 'Ginny' Jacobson, retired teacher and community volunteer, dies of COVID-19 at 83

Virginia Louise “Ginny” Jacobson was a Twin Cities teacher, outdoors enthusiast and an avid volunteer for organizations including the Linden Hills Co-op and Minneapolis Park…

Phillip Radford, avid gardener and cheerful optimist, dies of COVID-19 complications at 77

You could have excused Phillip Radford for being gloomy. At age 12, his father died, and the boy went to work to help support his…

Legendary Chisholm basketball coach McDonald dies after COVID diagnosis

Bob McDonald, the winningest coach in Minnesota high school sports history, died Wednesday in Hibbing at age 87. His teams won more than 1,000 games during a 59-year career.

TSA agent at MSP Airport dies of COVID-19

Gerald Girard, 67, is one of eight agents nationwide to succumb to the virus.

Eugene Loya, dentist and avid golfer, dies of COVID-19 at 83

When Eugene Loya moved his dentistry practice from northeast Minneapolis to Nisswa, many of his loyal patients followed him Up North for checkups.Besides being one…

Donald Mayer, mechanical engineer and patent holder, dies of COVID-19 complications at 90

He spent much of his career at Thermo King Corp. in Bloomington, where he earned his 12 patents.

Lawrence Allen, travel and football enthusiast, dies of COVID-19 complications at 70

Lawrence W. Allen helped countless people catch flights over the years working as a skycap for Northwest and Delta Air Lines, but he was also…

Matthew Sean Williams, lawyer and online gamer, dies of COVID-19 at 40

How he contracted COVID-19 is likely to remain a mystery, his mother said.

Georgie Herman, a beloved University of Minnesota librarian, dies of COVID-19 at 88

For nearly three decades, reference librarian Georgianna Herman was a prime resource for graduate students in industrial relations at the University of Minnesota. Herman oversaw…

Marty Plombon, diabetes educator, dies of COVID-19 at 85

At North Memorial, she also trained medical student residents and interns and mentored other nurses.

Kenneth Lynes, a bighearted handyman and avid bowler, dies of COVID-19 at 81

  Kenneth Lynes was a jack-of-all-trades whose generous, gregarious presence left an impression on many people in southeast Minneapolis. The electrician-turned-handyman freely lent his time…

Janet Spearman, former head operating room nurse at HCMC, dies of COVID-19 at 79

One of the things that upsets Bruce Mathis about the June death of his 79-year-old mother, Janet Spearman of Minneapolis, is that it feels like…

Rachel Vrudny, an educator who battled adversity with optimism, dies of COVID-19 complications at 60

Vrudny, of Brainerd, was adventurous and tough despite a lifetime of health problems, her father said.

Longtime Roseville wrestling coach dies of COVID-19 complications at 97

Kenneth Bergstedt started the wrestling program at Roseville's Alexander Ramsey High School in 1953 — the school's first year — and taught at the school for 32 years.

Donna Johnson, who led Allina Health's library for decades, dies of COVID-19 at 82

  Donna Johnson became a nationally renowned medical library leader while overseeing Allina Health’s library during an era of dramatic change — from the start…

Gerald Snyder, who led Chisholm High band for 30 years, dies at age 81

In 30 years of teaching band and choir at Chisholm High School, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who heard Jerry Snyder raise his voice.…

Gae Pearl, women's clothing designer, dies of COVID-19 complications at 87

In August 1965, Gae Pearl helped a Minneapolis apparel company pull off a fashion coup. Pearl, a clothing designer, designed coats that were purchased by…

Rosemary Stratioti, founder of the West Duluth Memorial Day parade, dies of COVID-19 at 89

DULUTH – Just a handful of family members were able to say goodbye to Rosemary Stratioti at a quiet graveside ceremony on July 2. In…

Yussur Barkhad, an Afro Deli cook and Somali refugee, dies of COVID-19 at 63

Punctual and stoic, she was a devout Muslim and a humanitarian, those who knew her said.

Cleo Herrera, who worked to protect children, dies of COVID-19 complications at 82

As a single mother in her 30s with six children, Cleo Herrera set a lasting example for her family when she earned a master’s degree…

Walter Littman, mathematician and classical music lover, dies of COVID-19 at 90

As a child in Austria, Walter Littman escaped the Nazis in an extraordinary tale of survival, mettle and luck. Littman, of Minneapolis, later became a…

Rep. Omar's father dies of complications from COVID-19

"It is with tremendous sadness and pain that I share that my father, Nur Omar Mohamed, passed away today due to complications from COVID-19," Rep. Ilhan Omar said.

Adwina Jackson Baptiste, educator and poet, dies of COVID-19 complications at 71

Adwina Jackson Baptiste always emphasized two things to her three children. “Faith and the pursuit of knowledge,” said daughter Alicia Ayodele of New Hope. “They…

Lucille Anderson, social worker who strove to help underprivileged youth, dies of COVID-19 at 94

Her mother stressed that education was the key to social mobility.

Virginia Mae 'Ginny' Anderson, a longtime bank teller and editorial librarian, dies of COVID-19 at 91

For almost 40 years with the Second Northwestern Bank of Minneapolis on University Avenue, Virginia Mae “Ginny” Anderson was the smiling face at the teller’s…

Marny Xiong, St. Paul school board chair, dies at 31 from COVID-19

Marny Xiong, chairwoman of the St. Paul Board of Education, died Sunday of COVID-19, the first elected official in the state and one of the…

Margarita Trautmann, an editor and Spanish language translator, dies of COVID-19 complications at 67

Margarita Trautmann was as self-assured and comfortable at a formal dining table with politicians as she was sitting next to her husband on the banks…

Clark Osojnicki, a financial analyst and champion dog trainer, dies of COVID-19 at 56

At the hospital, staffers had seen signs of improvement, and his wife felt certain he would return to their Stillwater home soon.

Judith Bemis, author and mental health champion, dies of COVID-19 at 82

Judith “Judy” Bemis drew on her own life experience to help others with anxiety, spearheading a network of support groups when it was taboo to…

Ex-Armstrong volleyball coach Erickson dead from COVID-19

He led his program to five consecutive Class 2A championships in the 1980s.

Patricia Forster, a teacher and lover of the outdoors, dies of complications of COVID-19 at 83

"She was never sitting around except when she was reading," a daughter said.

Donald Bridell, a collector who loved auctions and garage sales, dies of COVID-19 at 89

Donald Bridell came honestly by his penchant for collecting.He was born in the grips of the Great Depression, raised on a small farm south of…

Rich Herman, a gentle giant who worked in aviation, dies of COVID-19 at 66

He died soon after returning to his Rosemount home on April 8.

Marion Klein, a leader in Jewish women's groups, dies of COVID-19 at 87

  St. Paul native Marion Goldetsky Klein was devoted to her family, her community and her Jewish faith. “She was a very involved person,” said…

Patrick Petit, a teacher and woodworker, dies of COVID-19 complications at 82

On a phone call with family members in his final moments, he had a simple directive: "Be happy, be kind and keep learning."

Minnesota Judge Steven A. Anderson dies of COVID-19 at 65

In the courtroom, he was Judge Steven A. Anderson. On the street, he preferred to be called Steve.

Scott Melter, a hardcore Vikings fan and proud grandfather, dies of COVID-19 at 60

  As devoted fans on opposite sides of the Vikings-Packers rivalry, Scott Melter and Ken Larson gave each other plenty of ribbing over the years.…

Frederick 'Fritz' Koerner, engineer of a famous war spy plane, dies of COVID-19 complications at 86

Enticed by the U.S. Navy’s recruitment pitch “to see the world,” Frederick “Fritz” Koerner enlisted during the Korean War. He made it as far as…

Conrad 'Connie' Razidlo, ad man and artist, dies of COVID-19 at 85

His legacy spans arts, business and politics.

Dr. Joseph Wethington, physician who helped build clinic network, dies of COVID-19 at 93

Even in his last days, he visited with family over Zoom. They stood outside his first-floor room, waving at him through the window.

Anita Robinson, a librarian and casino tour bus organizer, dies of COVID-19 at 94

  Patrons who rode the buses to area casinos adored Anita Robinson, says her son, Gary, who operates a bus company, Best Bet Tours. She…

David Goulette, a gifted church organist with a rich bass voice, dies of COVID-19 at 83

It was David Goulette’s rich bass singing voice that first caught Carol Carver’s ear at a choir audition decades ago. It was his almost-heavenly organ…

Wayne Haskell, North High Class president of 1960, dies at 77 of COVID-19 complications

Wayne Haskell had everything going for him when he graduated from North High School in Minneapolis in 1960. He was an honors student, senior class…

Art dealer John Driscoll, who owned N.Y. gallery but kept Minnesota ties, dies at 70

He died April 10 in Putnam County, New York, due to complications from COVID-19.

Arloine Morris, a hunter, angler and quilter, dies of COVID-19 at 89

She was one of the first victims of the novel coronavirus in Minnesota.

Larry Windrum, a St. Paul antiques dealer and victim of COVID-19, dies at 81

Customers looked forward to the shop's annual holiday open house, with live music and invitations crafted by Windrum, a graphic designer.

AG Keith Ellison's mother dies from COVID-19 complications

Minneapolis City Council Member Jeremiah Ellison says positive coronavirus test made it feel like grandmother "was snatched from us."

Gloria Lott, 88, was among the first to die in COVID-19 outbreak at Duluth assisted-living facility

A Zoom call brought music and her family to her Essentia Health hospital room last week.