Funerals

Cletus M. Rotty, age 84 of Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, August 18, 2019, at United Hospital in St. Paul. 

Cletus Marks, the son of Vincent and Catherine (Zirbes) Rotty, was born on August 31, 1934, in rural Dakota County, Minnesota. Following his graduation from Farmington High School with the class of 1952, Cletus began his life-long career in car sales. There wasn't a detail he missed or didn't know on any new vehicle that came out, and for that, he won many awards for his dedication to his career. On May 12, 1956, he was united in marriage to his sweetheart, Phyllis O'Shaughnessy, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miesville. Cletus was drafted in to the United States Army and was a proud Veteran. Decades later he enjoyed donning his "OD's" (Army Fatigues) when volunteering as a counselor with the Minnesota National Guard Youth Camp. He and Phyllis enjoyed family camping, traveling for work and as a family over the years, and in later years singing karaoke wherever they could. He was a longtime member of Guardian Angels Catholic Church where he also participated with Parish Council. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Ralph (Frances) Rotty, Sally (Robert) Yetzer, and Gordon (Marcianne) Rotty; sister-in-law, Kathleen (Edward) Feidt; and by his brothers-in-law, Art Siebenaler ad Melvin Illa. 

Cletus is survived by his wife, Phyllis; children, Patty (Paul) Schutz, Mark (Susan) Rotty, Brian (Pamela) Rotty, and Kevin (Jennifer) Rotty; grandchildren, Rachel Schutz, Shari Schutz (significant other, Jason Munroe), Andrea Schutz, Jonathon Rotty, Elizabeth Rotty, Vincent Rotty, Laura (Frank) Wandersee, Samuel Rotty, Arianna Rotty, and Liza Rotty; great grandchildren, Justin Munroe and by twin great grandsons due in October; special family member, Jon Gille; sisters-in-law, Edna Siebenaler, Jane Illa, and Pat (Harvey) Sand; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father Matt Shireman officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, and for one hour prior to Mass at church on Tuesday morning. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to TLC of Hastings or to the donor's choice in memory of Cletus. 

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

The funerals below have already taken place. May they rest in peace.

Lucille S. Bauer, age 90 of Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday evening, August 8, 2019, at Regina Senior Living in Hastings. 

Lucille Susan, the daughter of John and Clara (Conzemius) Fox, was born on February 12, 1929, in rural Rosemount. Following her graduation from Rosemount High School in 1947, Lucille was united in marriage to Bernard J. "Ben" Bauer at St. Agatha's Catholic Church in Coates on September 8, 1951. Ben later preceded her in death on August 24, 1994. Lucille was a distinguished homemaker, and also worked at Regina as a baker for 27 years. She enjoyed baking for everyone, canning, and sewing. She was a longtime member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where she enjoyed being actively involved in volunteering in various ways by being active with St. Boniface Christian Mothers, and was also a Charter member of Hastings' Birth Right, now Total Life Care Center of Hastings. Lucille was also a charter member of the Dakota County Happy-Go-Getter's 4-H Club, and was later a clothing leader for the club. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ben; sister-in-law, Katie Fox, and by other relatives. 

Lucille is survived by her children, JoAnn Bauer, Jan (Dick) Marthaler, Maggie (Pete) Kallal, Glenn (Polly) Bauer, Allan (Denise) Bauer, and Cheryl Bauer (Rodney Bowman); ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; siblings, Henry Fox, Joe (Ann) Fox, Marty (Joanne) Fox, and Dick (Joan) Fox; and by many other relatives and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 16, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will follow at the parish cemetery. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings, and also for one hour prior to Mass at church on Friday morning. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Feed My Starving Children in memory of Lucille. 

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.

John Kummer, age 86 of Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Sunday evening, August 4, 2019. He was reunited with the love of his life, Kathy, who recently preceded him in death. 

John Dodds, the son of John and Estelle (Dodds) Kummer, was born on August 26, 1932, in Prescott, Wisconsin. Following his graduation from Hastings High School, he continued his education at St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota where he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program. John was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and flew F-86D & F-102 aircrafts. On April 16, 1955, John was united in marriage to the love of his life, Kathleen Lang, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miesville. After being Honorably Discharged from the service in 1959, John and Kathy returned home to help his father run The County Point Service Station and Cafe, which he eventually expanded into the well-known Point Restaurant. John and Kathy continued to operate the business for forty-five years until selling in July of 2016. Outside of working and tending to his hobby farm, John enjoyed flying his Cessna 182, hunting and fishing, downhill skiing, playing volleyball, softball, and racketball. John and Kathy were blessed with sixty-three years of marriage, five children, and many wonderful memories together until her passing on November 14, 2018. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Mary, Lola, and Rita; daughter, Debbie Kummer; and by his wife, Kathy. 

John is survived by his children, Jean Kummer, Susan (Rick) Luiz, Mary (John) Saunders, and John (Linda) Kummer; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Maureen (David) Fasbender; and by many other relatives and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, August 10, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment with Military Honors provided by VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210, will follow at the parish cemetery. Click here for directions to SEAS.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings, and also for one hour prior to Mass at church on Saturday morning. 

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

Robert Joseph Meiers, age 82 of Lakeville, departed his earthly life Monday, July 8, 2019, peacefully surrounded by his immediate family. 

He was born September 13, 1936, in Dakota County, Minnesota, son of John and Mary (Becker) Meiers. Bob graduated from Hastings High School in 1954 and joined the United States Air Force from 1954 to June 1958, as Airman 1st Class assigned to the 509 TH Bombardment Wing, Strategic Air Command at Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico. Bob married his beautiful wife, Ingrid (Kitty) Kraemer on December 2, 1961, at St Agnes Catholic Church in St Paul, MN. In June of 1962, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in Economics and Business Administration. 

He started his career at the Dakota County Assessor’s Office in Hastings, MN. He held the positions of Property Appraiser, Chief Deputy Assessor and then County Assessor from 1967 to 1975. He and his family then moved from his hometown of Hastings in June of 1975 to accept a corporate position in Milwaukee, WI, with The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company as their corporate Ad Valorem Tax Manager. Bob retired in 2000 from Northwestern Mutual to enjoy his family and his passion for the great outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his two sons. Bob’s joy and enthusiasm also for carpentry and his model railroad hobby brought him great pride and satisfaction over the years. He was a huge Green Bay Packer fan and a Minnesota Vikings supporter, from his younger years. Bob and Ingrid enjoyed many winters in Florida together, escaping the harsh climate of the Midwest. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his brothers and sisters, Paul, Eugene, Mavis and Lois. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ingrid; children, Lisa, Curtis (Sue) and Robert Jr "Bobby"; he was also blessed with four grandchildren, Nicholas, Summer, William and Jonny; and by many other relatives and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment, with Military Honors provided by the Hastings VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210, will be held in the parish cemetery. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning at church. 

In lieu of flowers, Bob's family requests memorials to Disabled American Veterans or to the donor's choice in his memory. 

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

Jennifer Leigh Blazek, age 49, of Hastings, passed away suddenly early Sunday morning July 7, 2019. 

Jenne was born on March 30, 1970 to Veronica (Lawrence) Davis and Jeffrey Davis in Montebello, California. Jenne graduated high school in California in 1988 and moved to Hastings. She married Anthony “Tony” Blazek in 1990 and was blessed with a son. Jenne had a bubbly and outgoing personality. She loved her kitties and flower gardening. Jenne's desire to help others is what made her a kind and beautiful person who was loved by all. 

Jenne is survived her son, Jeffrey Blazek of California; mother, Veronica (Lawrence) Davis; father, Jeffrey (Linda) Davis; sister, Kimber; grandfather, Richard Lawrence; lifetime partner, Greg Kowalzek; a host of uncles, aunts and cousins. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, July 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 15th St. W., Hastings. A Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at church. Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. 

For guestbook and further information, please visit www.hastingsmnfuneral.com. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
 

James A. "Jim" Maher, age 94 of Hastings, died peacefully following an extended illness on Friday evening July 5, 2019, at Regina Senior Living. 

James Arthur, the son of Bernard and Helen (Fahey) Maher, was born on August 10, 1924, in Hastings. Following his graduation from Hastings High School, Jim enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served in North Africa during WWII. He later received an Honorable Discharge and many medals including: American Theater Service Metal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars, and a Good Conduct Metal. After returning to Hastings, Jim was a bartender in Hampton prior to working with Hudson Mfg. as a Personnel Manager until his retirement. He enjoyed playing golf, was a self-taught organ player, and an avid card player. Jim was also a smooth dancer, and enjoyed the countless dances he attended over the years. He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage, and and was proud to have founded the "Maher Open" which is celebrating it's 40th anniversary this summer. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Gloria in infancy, Bernadette, Ray, Margie, Charlie, Mae, Theresa, Betty, Charlotte, Tom, and Rita; and by his special friend, Siv Endres. 

Jim is survived by his many nieces and nephews, and by many additional family members and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment with Military Honors provided by the Hastings' VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210 will follow at the parish cemetery. 

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation for one hour prior to Mass at church on Thursday morning. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association, or to the donor's choice in memory of Jim. 

Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings.
 

Veronica Helen Olsen (nee Tobeck), also known as, beloved “Grammie”, age 100, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2019.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bud; son, Dick; brothers, Mark, Augie, Vince, Normie, Freddie and Kenny; sisters, Bernice and Kitty.

Veronica is survived by her daughter, Jeannie (John Waterhouse) Pearson; daughter-in-law, Mary (John Coons) Olsen; grandchildren, Shannon (Sonny) Erickson, Shelly (Mitch) Mortenson, Laura (Andy) Evansen, Wendy (Aaron) Smith, Chris Olsen, Adam (Shelly) Olsen; and 9 great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Taylor, Wes, Autumn, Hanna, Parker, Camden, Lyla and Phoebe.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM, Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 2035 15th Street West Hastings, MN, 55033. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights.

Arrangements are being completed by the Kok Funeral Home.