Obituaries are courtesy of Mueller-Bies Funeral Homes, located at 2130 N Dale St., Roseville, Minn.
Lynda K. Petrie (1937-2026)
Lynda Kathryn Petrie, longtime resident of St. Paul, Minn., died April 2 with family at her side after a brief illness. She was 88.
The eldest of three children, Petrie grew up in St. Paul after spending her infant years in Mohall, N.D. She graduated from Monroe High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and a Master’s degree in geography at the University of Minnesota.
Petrie loved to travel and roamed the globe from Australia to Africa to Europe. Just last August she traveled alone, as was her style, to the United Kingdom and Ireland to be with dear friends. She also loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren and her great-grandson, and she kept track of every family birthday and milestone.
Petrie will always be remembered for her zest for life, worn modestly. After a long life well lived, her influence will carry on for many decades to come.
Petrie was preceded in death by her parents Delmar and Agnes “Bernie” Gillespie and her brother Dee Gillespie (Jeanne).
She is survived by her sister Daryl Beadle, children Kathy Thompson, Narrah Palmquist (Jamie), Dave Kansas and Lance Kansas (Becca), ten grandchildren: Grace Zahrt-Thompson (Shane), Gwynneth Thompson (Matt), Hunter Thompson, Ian Palmquist, Ray Palmquist (Pano), Joey Palmquist, Emma Kansas, Drew Kansas, Henry Kansas and Mimi Kansas and one great-grandchild, Norman Zahrt-Thompson. Other survivors include dear nieces and nephews as well as treasured friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 25 at Central Presbyterian Church, 500 Cedar St., St. Paul, with visitation from 10 – 11 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service. Private interment at Roselawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the following organizations are encouraged: The FCNL Education Fund (Peacebuilding Efforts), Keystone Community Services (Community Support) and the John R. Borchert Map Library Fund of the University of Minnesota Foundation (Geography Education).
Joel Peterson (1973-2026)
Joel Aaron Peterson of Roseville passed away on April 12. He was 52.
Peterson grew up in Iowa City and Rockford, Ill. While a young teen, he discovered a passion for playing drums, and garage band days were followed by gigs in Twin Cities bands Oswald Armageddon, Dirt Poor and Countach.
Peterson attended a creative arts-oriented middle school and high school where he was an excellent student and popular among his peers. He finished his formal education at the University of Minnesota with a degree in environmental sciences. His work career included positions with Braun Intertec and the State of Minnesota.
Peterson married his wife Jessica in 1997, and in 2006, they welcomed twins Liam and Dane into the world. They had another son, Soren, in 2010. Peterson was known as a “rock star of a daddy,” and encouraged his sons to try fishing and music.
Peterson was preceded in death by his dad (and best friend) Jack, grandparents Ray and Lois Peterson, grandfather Burl Bonavia and Spice, the best dog ever
Peterson’s immediate survivors are Liam, Dane and Soren, the sons he loved beyond measure, mother Nancy, sister Laura (James) Larrick and their children Amelia, Otto, Louisa and Jack, brother Jeffrey (Jennifer), grandmother Dorothea and former wife Jessica.
No services planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe has been established in his memory for his children and their future.
José E. López, Sr. (1934-2026)
José Elías López, Sr. passed away on Wednesday. He was 91.
López embraced family and was a loyal friend. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and held positions at Armour, Diamond Jim’s, Burlington Northern and WT Grants. Dedicated to supporting his large family, he worked multiple jobs at the same time to keep a roof over his children, food on the table, clothes on their back and shoes on their feet. He ultimately retired as a case worker for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.
Upon entering the field of corrections, López returned to college, becoming the first college graduate among his siblings, trailblazing and setting an example for his children. Coming from the mountains of Puerto Rico, López understood the power and value of a college education. Through his example, López raised successful achievers across generations.
López was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly Ann, son Rafael, son-in-law Del Wendt, sisters Rosa Preciado and Casía Ruiz, brothers, Marcelino, Carlos and Pedro and parents Marcelino and Clotilde.
He is survived by his daughters Debra Burandt (Bob), Katherine Wendt and Diana Washington (Kevin), sons José, Jr. (Yoon Hee), Ricardo Sr. (Shar) and David (Isabel Oyaga), sister Maria Johnson and brothers Tomas and Santiago (Maria). He also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandson.
Funeral service at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 23 at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 1583 Radio Drive, Woodbury, Minn.
Visitation will be held at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home – Roseville from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday and at the church from 10-11 a.m. Thursday.
Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, April 24 at 11 a.m.
Janet D. Straumann (1938-2026)
Janet D. Straumann of Roseville passed away peacefully on Sunday. She was 87.
Straumann traveled with her family all over the country as a young adult before meeting her husband Francis through a computer dating service. She enjoyed spending time outdoors, working in her garden and feeding the birds. She had a passion for wildlife and nature and enjoyed trips to Duluth and walking along the shores of Lake Superior. She enjoyed telling stories to her grandchildren and sharing her love for the outdoors.
Straumann was preceded in death by her husband Francis, son Owen and sister Carole Latin.
She is survived by daughters Deborah Grotjahn and Alison (Michael) McQuade, grandchildren Cassandra, Danielle, Katarina, Asher, Whitney, Kaitlynn, Breanna, Chloe and Abigail and great-grandchildren Teddy, CC, Aiden, Carson, Logan, Malakai and Aniyah.
Graveside service 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28 at North Isanti Baptist Cemetery, 2248 313th Ave NE., Cambridge, Minn. Visitation 4-7 p.m. Monday, April 27 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home — Roseville.
