COMMODORES CHORUs MINNEAPOLIS, MN

August 6, 1932-August 5, 2021 Age 88 years and 364 days. Marv was born in Minneapolis, and because his father worked for the Soo Line, he spent time in Duluth and Seattle as well. He was a graduate of West High in Minneapolis, where he met his wife of 67 years, Jeannie Gillett. He is survived by Jeannie, their children, Shannon (Spears) and Jesus Osorio, Darcey Spears and Pat Reddemann, Becky (Spears) and David Bartol, Ben Spears and Barbara, and Maaren Spears, four grandchildren, and one great grandson. His family was his pride and joy, and he will be greatly missed. After graduation from the University of Minnesota, he worked his entire career for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, finding employment for people with disabilities. He served a term as president of the National Rehabilitation Association. His experience as a lobbyist for the program led to a fervent interest in politics and volunteering on many political campaigns. Music was a passion for him, singing in the Minneapolis Commodores Barbershop Chorus and holding many offices. Most recently, he was involved in Giving Voice Chorus, a musical group for people with Alzheimers and their care partners. He was never without a camera, and has left a vast legacy of images of family events and extensive travels. Memorials suggested to Giving Voice Chorus or 2nd Half Lyngblomsten. 

Vinson, Cheryl age 74, of Eden Prairie, MN passed away peacefully at home on August 8th, 2021. Cheryl was born on October 30th, 1946 to parents Lawrence and Marjorie (Bellig) Kramer in Sleepy Eye, MN. She was the first of five children and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Sleepy Eye Public High School, Cheryl went to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN and graduated with a bachelor's degree in nursing. Cheryl then moved to Minneapolis to pursue her career as a registered nurse and later went on to get her master's degree in education. Cheryl met her husband Keith (Mike) Vinson in Minneapolis. They planted their roots in St. Louis Park and had two children (Eric and Erin) and soon after moved to Eden Prairie where she lived for the remaining 40 years of her life. Cheryl and Mike later divorced but remained friends, celebrating holidays together as a family. Cheryl spent her career helping others. She worked as a public health nurse as well as a school nurse. She spent many years at Cooper High School where she met wonderful friends including one teacher in particular who caught her eye. Harvey Weiss and Cheryl became great friends and partners and spent the last 20 years traveling, enjoying barbershop concerts, dining out and just enjoying their time together. Cheryl loved volunteering her time at Eden Prairie's PROP Shop. She had a passion for thrifting and a keen eye for a great deal. She was a creative soul and spent much of her spare time crafting. Cheryl is survived by her children Eric (Marcie) Vinson and their son Sawyer of Eden Prairie, daughter Erin (John) Carlson and their kids Brennan, Caden, Quinn, Rowan and Ashlyn of Prior Lake. Her very special friend Harvey Weiss of Eden Prairie and his kids Julie (John) Opheim, their daughters Hannah and Amelia, Tim (Christine) Weiss and their kids Spencer and Annika. Sisters Cindy (Joe) Steffl and Sue (Rich) Lund, along with ten nieces and nephews. Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Larry and her sister Vicky. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie (16515 Luther Way).

Lynch, Dale Odman 91, of Bloomington, died August 22, 2020. He was born in Fort Dodge, IA, to Dennis and Judy Lynch. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Jo; sons, Charles and Christopher Lynch; parents, and eight brothers and sisters. He is survived by his long-time companion, Mary MacLaughlin; daughters, Jean (Tom) Guthery, Nancy Jo (Walt) Norris, Sally Lynch; daughter-in-law, Veronica Lynch; grandchildren, Heather Bien, Danielle West, Jennifer Guthery, Laura Guthery; six great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Levi, Wyatt, Trevon, Zoey, Novalee; family friend, Kevin Henkels, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Dale was a kind, loving man with a good heart, sense of humor, and a helping hand. He grew up in south Minneapolis and St. Paul before joining the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base. After being honorably discharged he went on to graduate from Macalester College in St. Paul with a Bachelor's Degree in English. Dale was a news writer for KSTP in the late 1950s before joining 3M Company as a writer and Public Relations manager. He retired in 1991. Dale loved to sing as a member of the Minneapolis Commodore Chorus (SPEBSQSA and Barbershop Harmony Society) and Men and Women of Note, adventures with the Bahama 8, and spending time with family and friends.. 

Send your thoughts, prayers, and all the positive energy you can muster to our comrade, Al Matchinsky. He had a stroke this past Thursday. After attentive care and treatment at Fairview Ridges and the U of M, he was able to return home Saturday evening. Considering all of the potential consequences of stroke events, Al is intact and sound, though his right side is pretty thick and partially affected.  He is learning and practicing some new routines. Al reports that he is still able to sing and is hoping this pandemic loosens its icy grip so that can get back together. He would be happy to hear from any or all of us at alanmatsky@gmail.com or (612) 910-2770.
Submited By Gene Heupel 11/4/2020 

I'm not sure if you know, but mom has been in the hospital following a heart valve replacement.
There were complications and she is in rehab for a couple of weeks, hoping to go home.
Subbmitted byAndy Richards 10/30/2020

Ebie Richards is recovering comfortably after placement yesterday of a subclavian artery stent in her heart. As usual, she is upbeat and looking forward to her physical therapy, which starts tomorrow. She is at Allina United Hospital in St. Paul and the therapy will take place in the Sister Kenney Rehab Institute on site there. Her legs are weak after the successive heart surgeries so the therapy will focus on regaining leg strength. Let’s keep Ebie in our thoughts and prayers. Submitted by Gene Heupel 10/20/2020

Friday, January 8, 2021

Dear Family and Friends of Ebie Richards,

My mom passed away on Thursday, January 7, 2021.  She had suffered a series of strokes following a heart valve replacement on Oct 13, 2020.  She spent nearly three months in rehab, courageously working with physical therapy, but was unable to regain her strength.  The hope was to move her to an assisted living facility near her home, but she never left transitional care. 

Ebie cast a wide net of love and generosity in her 94 years.  She was a strong woman who lived life to the fullest; Kind, thoughtful, caring, affable, empathic, smart and friendly. She touched a lot of lives and will be greatly missed.  She is joined in heaven by her loving husband and best friend, Jim.

She also joins my sister Mary, who passed away ten days earlier on December 28, 2020.  Mary had been in poor health for a while, suffering from congestive heart failure and kidney disease.

Ebie and Mary will be cremated and interred in the columbarium at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Roseville, alongside my dad.

We will be having a virtual memorial for Ebie in the next few weeks.  If you would like to join us on zoom, or have any stories or pictures you would like share, please let me know, and send me your email address.  I’ll send out a zoom invite once we have set a date. We plan to place an obituary in the St. Paul Pioneer Press paper and on-line edition, on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Andy

Frederick William von Fischer Jr. passed away Sept 9, 2020 at the age of 88. Fred was born September 3, 1932 in Springfield, MN to Frederick A. and Martha M. (Bauch) von Fischer. He was raised in Springfield and graduated from Springfield High School in 1949. He went to South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD where he received his pharmacy degree in 1955.

Most of his career was spent in the Winona, MN and LaCrosse, WI area. He was the owner of Holmen Drug, in Holmen, Wisconsin, from 1974-1992. In 2004, Fred and his wife, Ardis, moved to Dakota County.

Fred enjoyed his many friends and family, singing in various choirs, and following the Twins and Vikings. He was a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society for 50 years, singing with Choruses and Barbershop Quartets in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Arizona. Most recently he sang with the award winning Minneapolis Commodore Chorus.