Obituaries are courtesy of Mueller-Bies Funeral Homes, located at 2130 N Dale St., Roseville
Virginia Lee Fahey (née Abel) (1935 – 2025)
Virginia Lee Fahey, 90, of Roseville, Minn., passed away peacefully on Thursday, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George D. Fahey III, parents Richard & Muesetta (née Erding) Abel, brother Richard Abel and sister-in-law Audrey McCarthy.
She is survived by her children, Kathy (Bob) Brinkmeyer, Michael Fahey (Sandy Stolt), Jeanne (Dan) Garry, Daniel (Holly) Fahey, and grandchildren, Meghan, Erin, Colleen, Chance, Cole, Mikayla, Madelyn and Dylan.
Virginia was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was dedicated to her faith and volunteered her time at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church with the choir and funeral lunch committee. She also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and the City of Roseville. Virginia loved to garden, travel and bird watch.
Visitation 9-10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 2090 N. Hamline Ave., Roseville, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 a.m.
Private internment Roselawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Grace Hospice.
Arlys Mamie Eilts (née Ziegler) (1936 – 2025)
Arlys Mamie Eilts, 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and devoted servant of her community of St. Paul, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard & Mamie (Waage) Ziegler, and siblings Dick Ziegler, Ron Ziegler, Larry Ziegler, Aline Luckow, Clarice Wells and Evelyn Scharn.
She is survived by her husband, Leonard Eilts, children Michael (Tammi) Eilts, Diane (Donald) Schuette, Bradley (Deborah) Eilts, Dawn (Daryl) Frett, Timothy (Jane) Eilts, Beth Tretter (Jason Chmielewski), Jennifer Eilts and Ruth Eilts, 15 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, siblings Gerald (Marilyn) Ziegler, Verdell (Robert) Wiles, Bev (Bruce) Wosje and in-laws Melvin Eilts, Larry Eilts and Peggy Wubben.
Born and raised on her family farm, Arlys treasured her early years with her parents and nine siblings. Those days instilled in her the values of hard work, cooperation and faith. She fondly remembered getting “lost” in Aunt Arlene’s large home, helping with canning and garden harvests, eating strawberries “three times a day” and herding cattle to greener summer pastures.
Encouraged by her mother’s deep belief in education, Arlys attended South Dakota State University, embracing campus life, Hobo Day traditions and work in the food labs for 45 cents an hour. She graduated in 1958 with a degree in Home Economics and Child Development, just weeks after marrying the love of her life, Leonard. She soon joined him in France during his military service, where they spent their first 18 months of marriage and welcomed their son, Michael.
Together, Arlys and Leonard raised eight children in the Lutheran faith. A lifelong advocate for children, Arlys often said, “caring for children was my first real job.” She and Leonard fostered 15 children, adopting three, and she served as a Guardian ad Litem for 20 years, providing steadfast support to vulnerable youth. For 34 years, she also led a Girl Scout troop, nurturing confidence, creativity and leadership in countless young girls.
Faith and community were the foundation of Arlys’s life. After joining St. Timothy Lutheran Church in 1979, she chaired the ELCA Faith Circle, participated in Bible studies, supported homebound members and organized theatre and card groups that brought joy and connection to the congregation.
Arlys was also known for her gift of bringing people together socially. She loved coordinating groups for dinners, theatre outings and card-playing events, always making sure everyone felt included, welcomed and cared for. Her talent for organizing these gatherings created lasting friendships and warm memories for all who joined.
Arlys was the matriarch of her large, lively family— the steady, guiding heart who remembered every birthday, every milestone and every preference. She created magic at Christmas, organized cherished gatherings and ensured no one went without support. Two traditions were especially dear to her: Christmas in the family home and an annual week at the cabin in northern Minnesota.
Arlys will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who were touched by her kindness, strength, and unwavering compassion. Her legacy of faith, service and love lives on in every life she enriched.
Visitation 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10 at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 1465 Victoria St. N., St. Paul followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m.
Private internment at Roselawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Timothy Lutheran Church.
