William Remole Funeral

Tuesday, August 8, 2023 | 10:30 AM

Dr. William D. Remole, MD, FACP

March 16, 1922 – July 17, 2023

PROMINENT CARDIOLOGIST LED LIFE WITH HIS HEART

“Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

Dr. William D. Remole (101) passed away peacefully in his Bloomington home on July 17, 2023, surrounded in love by his children. He was preceded in death by parents Dorothy and Norman, and his beloved wife of 65 years, Patricia Cullen Remole. He is survived by his children Mary Remole, Michelle (Tim) Regan, Patricia (Ross) Tomita, Stephen (Katie) Remole and Margaret (Daniel) Lively; 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grands.

As a father, Dad always had time for his children, promptly putting down the task at hand to listen, soothe, solve, and support the needs of his family.

As a husband, Bill took beautiful care of his wife Patty, who suffered from multiple sclerosis almost their entire marriage. His diligent and loving care enabled her to live in their home until she was called home by God at age 90.

As a physician, Dr. Remole cared deeply for his patients and their problems. His compassion and insight helped thousands over his five-decade career span, and that loving concern for others never let up until literally, his last breath.

He heartily embraced the future and always said he wanted to live until he died. Well past his 101st birthday, he was still updating his book on the computer, texting and reading email from friends and family on his iPhone, and charging his Apple Watch, predicting its short charge time was going to be a problem for Apple unless they fixed it!

A lifelong Minneapolitan, Dr. Remole graduated from West High School, then enrolled in the University of Minnesota, where he received his BA, BS, and MD degrees. While still in college, he, like so many others of the Greatest Generation, responded to the attack on Pearl Harbor by immediately enlisting in the military, hoping to help his country by becoming a “flyboy.” The US Military, however, had different plans for him. He was fast-tracked through medical school, and after completing the requisite internships and residency training at Milwaukee County Hospital and Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, he was finally in the US Army. Upon completion of the Basic Medical Officer’s course, he was assigned to the US Army’s Gorgas Hospital in Panama. While caring for military personnel at Gorgas was his primary responsibility, he also traveled into the jungle to give care to indigenous patients, who often suffered from tropical infectious diseases.

After his military service, he completed specialty training in internal medicine, going on to mentor many young doctors through his appointment at the University of Minnesota’s Family Practice and Community Medicine program. With further training, this time in cardiology, he became a leader in hospital practice, starting Minnesota’s first coronary care unit (CCU) dedicated to the care of cardiac patients, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Minneapolis. He worked closely with S. Mary Madonna Ashton, CSJ, then president and CEO of the hospital, and first female state health commissioner, to make this CCU a reality.

This innovative idea was to provide continuous heart rhythm monitoring during a heart attack, allowing a specialized team to respond immediately to potentially lethal heart rhythm problems. He hired a bright young engineer named Earl Bakken to help him with the complex electronics needed to provide continuous monitoring of heart rhythm and vital signs. Earl later went on to form Medtronic, and ironically, Dr. Remole lived with Medtronic pacemakers the last thirty years of his life.

Not content with advancing the acute care of heart attack victims, his vision, research, and leadership helped change forever the way cardiac patients recovered after their hospital stay in what became known as cardiac rehab centers. He was dismayed by a patient who died of a blood clot to the lung while getting dressed to leave the hospital after a heart attack. The embolism was brought on by what was then the standard of care – prolonged bed rest. His push to get patients up and active while supervised by skilled therapists soon after their heart attack was initially viewed with skepticism by many in the field. However, his clinical research collaborations and contributions to acute and rehab care of the heart attack patient helped create the bedrock of today’s heart healthcare. He maintained a very busy private practice in Cardiology until his retirement in 1987.

During his retirement years, he continued to lead with his heart and therefore those years were just as full and rewarding. Two of Dr. Remole’s favorite post-retirement collaborations were his years chairing the board of the Minnesota Visiting Nurse Association (MVNA), helping them regain their prominence in public health in the Twin Cities, and his very successful work pioneering the delivery of flu shots at local grocery stores with the help of Larry Anderson, then-CEO of SuperValu Foods. He always had the utmost respect for the skills and professionalism of the nurses with whom he worked, especially in these important outreach programs.

Dr. Remole witnessed many historical events in his 101 years. He enjoyed looking back on those years and wanted to document for his family how history had affected his life as an inspiration to them. That research and writing occupied much of his retirement and resulted in a colorful autobiography. He described the settling of his ancestors in America, growing up in the Great Depression, living through World War II, then the postwar boom and all the medical advancements. His children considered him a living history book of 20th century America, as his life-long interest in current events gave him the ability to put those times and events in context with each other. Once again, leading with his heart by writing this book, his family has an even deeper appreciation for their ancestors and how they overcame adversity in their immigration to our country.

Dr. Remole remained vibrant until the end. He will forever be an inspiration to those who knew him and whose lives he touched. Rest in love and peace, dearest father, physician, and friend to so many.

The family wish to express their profound gratitude to Josie Sprick for the past eleven years of her devoted care for Dr. and Mrs. Remole as well as to the beloved Poor Clare sisters, now residing in Rochester, MN for their efficacious prayers throughout a beautiful relationship spanning some 70 years.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday August 8, 2023 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Avenue. Visitation one hour prior to Mass. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.

Dr. Remole’s most ardent wish was that a cure for multiple sclerosis be found in his lifetime. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the MS Society to help find that cure.

Maureen Enger Funeral

Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 10:30 AM

Enger, Maureen (O'Neill) Age 91, of Friendship Village, Bloomington, MN. She passed away peacefully on July 12, 2023. Preceded in death, by parents Monica and William, husband of 50 years Bob, late life partner Robert Howard and siblings DJ, Keith, Yvonne and Norman. Survived by sons Mark (Mary), Gregg (Sarah) and grandchildren Whitney (Pete), Maren (Joe), Stefanie, Collin and 5 great-grandchildren. Maureen was a graduate of St. Margaret's Academy, an Edina resident and Our Lady of Grace parishioner for over 60 years. She was an avid international traveler. In retirement she volunteered at Fairview Southdale Hospital and wintered in Naples, Florida. She will always be remembered for her upbeat personality and enthusiastic spirit. Funeral Mass will be held at OLG Catholic Church, Edina, MN, on Thursday, July 20th at 10:30 AM, with visitation at 10:00 AM and a luncheon to follow. Private burial at a later date. Memorials (in lieu of flowers please) may be be directed to Alzheimer's Association of MN, 12701 Whitewater Dr, Suite 290, Minnetonka, MN 55343 or Team Member Appreciation Fund, Friendship Village, 8100 Highwood Dr., Bloomington, MN 55438. Arrangements by Gill Brothers, Minneapolis, 612-861-6088. gillbrothers.com.

Alfred "Wally" Waldorf Funeral

Friday, June 23, 2023 | 10:30 AM

Alfred "Wally" Waldorf of Edina, MN passed away on June 18, 2023 surrounded by family after living a long and fulfilled life. Throughout his life he held several important titles, but took the most pride in his role as husband, father, and grandfather. As a man of God, family and faith were the two driving forces that fueled his passion in life. Wally was born in Detroit Lakes, MN on October 29, 1934 to Emma Waldorf. He went on to graduate from Perham High School, then served in the Army, and later graduated from the UND with a degree in Accounting. In 1959, Wally married the love of his life, Eleanor “Ellie” Kunza. They went on to raise 6 children, where they established their roots in Winona, MN. The Waldorf family spent most of their time together creating memories at the lake, dancing to polka music, watching sports, and serving others. Wally is survived by his children Reine Anderson (Dave), Mike Waldorf, Mark Waldorf (Kyle), Marty Waldorf (Liz), Rachel Goetzmann (Mike), Rose Hilbrands (Eric), 15 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Wally was preceded in death by his wife Ellie and his mother. A visitation for Wally will be held on Friday, June 23 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Grace in Edina, MN followed by a Mass at 10:30 AM. After Mass, a celebration of life will be held at Pinstripes in Edina, MN. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude’s hospital.

Raylene Mercer Funeral

Tuesday, June 27, 2023 | 2:00 PM | MHT Chapel

Raylene Mercer is survived by her brothers, Michael (Joanne) and Dan (Pam) Mercer, as well as niece, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Helene Mercer.

Raylene was raised in South Buffalo, NY and lived on Kingston Place and Columbus Avenue. She moved to Minneapolis with her mother to join her brothers in 1994.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in the MHT Chapel. Visitation will be held at 1:00 - 2:00 PM.

Marilyn Cavara Funeral

Saturday, June 10, 2023 | 11:00 AM | Chapel

Marilyn Ann Cavara, nee Nelson, longtime Edina resident, grew up in St. Peter. Graduate of St. Peter High School Class 1960, Bachelor of Arts from Mankato State University Class of 1964 and Master of Social Work from University of Michigan Class of 1974. Worked for 26 years as Managing Director of the investigation arm of the Child Protection Division of Hennepin County. During retirement worked as an Interior Design Assistant for Gabbert's Design Studio and Furniture in Bloomington. Daughter of the late Margaret nee Hillesheim and Nestor E. Nelson of St. Peter and Edina. Sister of Barbara M. Whitlock, Jeanne M. McGill and Carol N. (Lawrence) Panozzo. Aunt of Sarah Whitlock, Molly (Eric) Del Balso, Emily (Ben) Nelsen, Margaret (Patrick Winkle) Whitlock, Jason (Julie) Jezek, Justin Jezek and Lawrence E. Panozzo. Great-aunt of four. Friend and colleague of many. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 9 from 4-7 PM and Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. until prayers at 10:30 a.m. at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th Street and Hwy 100, Edina, (952-920-3996), washburn-mcreavy.com. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Chapel, 5071 Eden Ave., Edina, (952-929-3317), olgparish.org. Published by Sleepy Eye Herald Dispatch from Jun. 6 to Jun. 8, 2023.

Michael C Gresser Funeral

Friday, June 9, 2023 | 10:30 AM

Gresser, Michael Christian "MC" passed away peacefully on June 2, with his children nearby. Born on the family farm in Albany, Minnesota on February 18th, 1932, the youngest of six children. The farm was lost late in the Great Depression due to his father's illness. He passed away when M.C. was 14. His oldest brother Gerry taught him to lay brick and soon they were hopping trains for the Twin Cities working as commercial masons to support the family. He was a foreman of his first masonry crew at age 19, running the brick work on landmarks like the St. Paul Radison Hotel. He married Joan (Krebsbach) on June 11, 1955, and they proceeded to travel the country chasing large masonry jobs. They had their first daughter, Michelle, in Grand Forks, North Dakota while he ran the Airforce Base project there. Work also took them to Davenport, Iowa where their second daughter Mary Jo was born. They returned home and settled in Eagan in 1963. In 1968 they had their third child, Michael J. A year later they started GRESSSER Incorporated in their basement. He ran the sales and field while she ran the books. Over the years GRESSER became one of the largest and most respected concrete and masonry contractors in the nation, employing more than 200 people, working in 19 states and building iconic structures such as the IDS Crystal Court, the Minneapolis Hilton Towers, US Bank Tower and TCF (now Huntington) Bank Stadium. M.C. and Joan sold the company to Michael J. in 2001. Today the company is based in Shakopee, thriving on the tradition and values he created. Over the years he became a dynamic entrepreneur, involved in local politics and business ventures. He founded an exotic car dealership, developed and owned real estate, owned a hotel, started a general contracting firm and became majority shareholder in several community banks. He loved to help people and prided himself on picking winners. He started construction of the first ever Lifetime Fitness in Eagan by handshake before they secured financing because he had faith that Bahram Akradi would get him paid. They became lifelong friends. In 2003 he backed Mike J. and Matt Barron as they founded Recon Wall Systems. The company now operates in 14 countries with four divisions. He served on Recon's board and still owned his shares when he died. He was also a Nuevo investor in Tradition Bank Shares and cherished his friendship with Reid Evenson at the bank. He and Joan were members of the Twin Cities Viper Club who, especially the Aszmanns and Bretts, were like family. He did all this while enjoying the lake with his family and being a supportive husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He devoted his life to elevating his family to a better station and truly outdistanced his greatest ambitions. A life very well lived. He is proceeded in death by his parents Barbara and Michael Joseph, his brothers Jerome, Leeander and Ralph, his sisters Lorraine (Grimes) and Erma (Hollenhorst) and his beloved wife of 62 years, Joan. He is survived by his daughter Michelle Walston (James) and Mary Jo Stackhouse (Steven - deceased), son Mike (Amy) and grandchildren James (Victoria) and Elizabeth Walston, Michael R. (Sarah), Ellie, Emma and Harrison Gresser and greatgrandchildren Jane and James Daniel Walston. We are grateful for the care given to MC by the staff at N.C. Little Hospice. Memorials preferred to N.C. Little Memorial Hospice, 7019 Lynmar Ln., Edina, MN 55435. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8 from 4-7 PM at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th Street and Hwy 100 (952-920-3996). washburn-mcreavy.com. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 9, 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave., Edina, (952-929-3317). olgparish.org. A luncheon reception to follow.