In Passing

Lee Bergelin

Lee Bergelin passed away peacefully on Feb. 4, 2023, in Chandler, Ariz., and entered Heaven. He proudly served his country by enlisting in the Marine Corps. His favorite memories come from when he served on a six-month detachment aboard a Navy cruise ship from Japan to Australia and back to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, Calif. He was a successful real estate agent for 40 years and enjoyed every minute of it. He was married to the love of his life, Diane, for 62 years, to the exact day! Throughout his entire life, Lee held an unwavering faith in God. He was a passionate member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa, Wisc., and Risen Savior Lutheran Church in Chandler, Ariz. He was instrumental in organizing retreats for both churches’ Men’s groups. Lee loved to sing and was a choir member for both churches as well.

He is survived by his wife Diane; son Steve (Joyce) of Pewaukee, Wisc.; daughter Beth Zych of Chandler, Ariz.; granddaughter Rachel of Milwaukee, Wisc.; siblings Nancy of Lincoln, Calif.; Vern (Mary Ellen) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Ralph (Judy) of Saginaw, Mich.; and brother-in-law Frank Kohlbeck of New Berlin, Wisc. Lee joins his parents Milford and Norma, his brother Dan, and sister-in-law Nancy Kohlbeck in Heaven. He will be greatly missed.

Larry Currier

Larry Currier, 77, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2023, at his home in Sun Lakes, Ariz., previously of Hopkins, Minn., surrounded by his loving family.

Larry was born on Nov. 10, 1945, in Fairmont, Minn. He graduated from Welcome High School in 1963 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Long Beach, Calif., and served aboard the USS Brinkley Bass where he spent time in the Philippines and Vietnamese waters. He received a National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal for his service.

After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, he moved back to Minnesota and married Cheryl (Dvorak) Currier on July 30, 1967, settling in the Twin Cities area. Larry had a successful career in the water conditioning business, which began in 1969. He owned and operated Servisoft, Ecowater, and Currier’s Water Conditioning of Hopkins, with his wife, from 1974 until retiring in 2012.

Larry was active in the Hopkins Lions Club, was a friend of Bill W’s for 41 years, and was in the New Voice Club. After he lost his voice to cancer, he helped and encouraged others who were facing the same surgery by visiting them in hospitals, using his humor to lighten a scary and challenging time, and by providing an example of a productive life after surgery. He also helped the University of Minnesota speech department with electrolarynx training for future speech pathologists.

Larry faced many health challenges over the years, but he always remained positive, was grateful for each day, and never lost his wit, sarcasm, and sense of humor. One of his favorite activities after retirement was watching the Hallmark channel for the positivity and optimism their movies offered. Larry continued to cheer on his Minnesota sports teams, especially the Vikings, from Arizona.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Cheryl Currier; daughters Jamie Emmert and Heather Currier; grandchildren Scott, Amy, and Heidi Emmert; sister Shirlaree (Ronald) Nelson; sister-in-law Barb (Neil) Iverson; along with nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Bernice Currier and brothers Richard, Duane, Carol, and Darrell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. on June 29 at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fairmont, Minn.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the West Suburban Alano in Minnetonka, Minn., or Justa Center in Phoenix, Ariz., in honor of Larry.

Leona Diviki

Leona May Diviki, age 75, went to be with Our Lord on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

She loved her family and friends deeply, always showed kindness, a lover of animals, and spoke from her heart.

She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Frank Diviki, Jr.; her son Frank Diviki, III; her daughter Lisa Wright (Karl); her sister Amy Maas; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Stacy Lynn Erickson

Stacy Lynn Erickson, 53, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away peacefully on Feb. 27 surrounded by her immediate family, lifetime friends, and four of her beloved pets. Stacy grew up in Aberdeen, S.D., and served in the U.S. military, then worked professionally as an engineer and realtor for decades before whole-heartedly embracing her hobby and becoming a talented artist in her 40s. Stacy will be dearly missed and remembered for her positivity and overflowing love and respect for all living things. Stacy found immense joy and freedom in learning about and creating beautiful art while enjoying the Arizona sunshine and taking care of her garden!

Stacy is survived by her parents James and Loma Erickson; her two sisters Suzan Blanton (Tony) and Stephanie Motter (John); nephews Maxwell Erickson, Jacob Motter, Benjamin Motter, and Aaron Motter; and her pets Jack, Diane, Teddy, and Cathy. Stacy requested those who knew her to celebrate her life in lieu of traditional services. Stacy’s wish for her friends and family is to find what you love and to honor and do more of it.

Jerald Curtis Esget

Jerald C. Esget died on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, from kidney failure in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

He was born on Oct. 22, 1933, in Webster, S.D. Jerald “Jerry” graduated from the University of South Dakota-Brookings with a major in English education. In 1954 he married Elizabeth “Betty” Pekron. He was in the military a short time before starting his first teaching position in Hendricks, Minn. During his time, he coached and umpired baseball while living in Hendricks.

In 1962 the family moved to Owatonna, Minn., where he taught English at Owatonna High School (OHS) until his retirement in 1993. During his tenure at OHS, he taught and coached 9th and 10th grade basketball and baseball. In 1973 Jerry won Owatonna Teacher of the Year.

In 1977 Jerry married Mary Lu Peck. They were married until his death. For many years, Jerry and Mary Lu spent summers at their lake home on Crane Lake, Minn., and winters in Sun Lakes, Ariz. Jerry loved fishing and golfing.

He is survived by his wife Mary Lu, daughters Julie (Keith) Kiel, Jill (Chris) Prohaski, step-daughter Robyn (Lian) Tan, and son Christopher (Pam) Bakken. He is also survived by his six grandchildren and brothers Keith (Darleen) Esget and Craig Esget, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Hazel (Anderson) Esget, his sister Mary Davis, and nephew Randy Esget.

The family will be having a private memorial at Fort Snelling, Minn., this spring.

Rosemarie Jack

Rosemarie Jack, age 81, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, in Sun Lakes.

She is survived by her two daughters, Donna and Lisa, and her partner in life, Freddie.

Family and friends are invited to the Valley of the Sun Mortuary, located at 10940 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, Ariz., on April 1, 2023, at 11 a.m. for services, immediately followed by a reception at Sun Lakes Country Club.

Joan “Joanie” Kilmartin

Joan “Joanie” Kilmartin, 76, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., passed away with family by her side on March 10, 2023, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Born on May 5, 1946, to Frank and Ann Marie Esposito in Far Rockaway, N.Y., she graduated from Uniondale High School then earned her PN degree at the Suffolk School of Nursing in Southampton, N.Y. Joan continued her education earning a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Marymount College, Tarrytown, N.Y., and an MBA in corporate finance and investment at Adelphi University, Garden City, N.Y.

During Joan’s 15-year marriage to Richard Coffey, they were blessed with two girls: Dawn and Maureen. She later met and married Jim Kilmartin in June of 1985 and the two spent 32 wonderful years together, moving to Arizona after his retirement. The union gave Joan six stepchildren. Jim passed away in 2016.

Through Joan’s love of music and dancing, she met her beloved Glenn McMaster of Sun Lakes later that year. Their common love of music and traveling kept them both very active until the pandemic. Their relationship brought her great joy and happiness.

Joan had many passions including theatre, music, traveling, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. She volunteered for Neighbors Who Care in Sun Lakes and for Hospice of the Valley (she was a hospice nurse for 20 years and it was her favorite). She also participated in many local clubs in her beloved community. Joan loved helping people and found Hamilton High School a place where she could make a difference for those in need. Joan adopted and greatly loved her rescue cats and frequently donated to local cat rescues.

A native New Yorker, Joan grew up on Long Island and loved to visit there, especially New York City.

She was a physician recruiter for many of the Valley’s large health systems and eventually started her own company. While Joan recruited many amazing physicians for hospitals and practices throughout her career, many became lifelong friends. Throughout her career, she worked with Hospice of the Valley and helped numerous people start and grow their own businesses.

Joan is survived by her eldest daughter Dawn and her husband Al Cassiano, their two sons Gregory and Joseph Cassiano, her youngest daughter Maureen Coffey, and her stepchildren James, Maureen, Thomas, Juliann, Kerry, and Kelly.

Joan was a kind and thoughtful soul who will be missed and remembered by the many whose lives she touched, both professionally and personally. We take comfort in knowing she is now being celebrated in Heaven by the hundreds, if not thousands, of souls she cared for during her lifetime. A Celebration of Life will be planned for December for family and friends.

Donations in Joan’s memory can be made to Hamilton High School (contact Rajani Rastogi, LCSW-HHS Social Worker, at [email protected]) or to Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, Tempe, Ariz., 602-445-7387, in memory of Joan Kilmartin.

Mary Elizabeth Koenes

Mary Elizabeth Marchand was born Oct. 13, 1943, in Seattle, Wash., to Charles and DeAnna Marchand. She passed away April 17, 2022, due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

Mary’s father owned a drug store where, at 16, she worked, or as she prefers to say, “was forced to work for free to learn a good work ethic.” She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1961. During these school years, Mary played the violin well enough to be asked to guest play with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra while in junior high.

Mary worked as a ship’s agent for a British steam ship company and later as a tax secretary for a public accounting firm. It was at the accounting firm that she met her second husband John Koenes. Mary and John grew up two blocks apart in West Seattle but did not know each other. Mary and the children moved to Bellevue, Wash. Both cats and dogs have always been a big part of their household, including having three of each for a while.

They later built a home on Lake Sawyer near Black Diamond, Wash., where they enjoyed boating, canoeing, paddle boating, and just living. While living there, Mary became very involved in volunteering for D.A.W.N. (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network).

John’s work allowed them to travel because of his annual Partners’ meetings and his continuing education requirements. Mary and John were in Manhattan during the Sept. 11 attack on the twin towers.

Mary had been glider, small plane, and helicopter flying but was not willing to try parachuting. Mary has always enjoyed ‘50s, ‘60s, and classical music, along with antiquing, card playing, and dice games.

When it came time to start planning for retirement, they chose Arizona, since John still had 15 years to work. They first tried Scottsdale, but at that time, Scottsdale did not have any retirement communities, so they chose Sun Lakes. Mary joined a local Red Hat group, but she remained actively involved in the McCormick Ranch Women’s Association and its activities in Scottsdale.

Mary is survived by her husband John of Sun Lakes; her daughter Carolyn Ann Cagle of Seattle; her son and his wife, James R. Cagle and Kristen Folland of Clearwater, Fla.; her sister and her husband, Catherine and Darryl David of Normandy Park, Wash.; sister-in-law Jane Stein of Fairfield, Calif.; along with cousins, nieces, a nephew, and friends.

Patricia M. Kruse

“Pat” Kruse passed away on Feb. 4, 2023, in Gilbert, Ariz., with her family by her side. Pat was born in Leetonia, Minn., on Jan. 11, 1932, to hardworking immigrant Croatian parents. She fully wove her Croatian culture, strong work ethic, uncanny sense of humor, and deep faith into her 91 years of life.

Pat entered nursing school at age 17. She graduated as a registered nurse from the St. Cloud School of Nursing in Minnesota. Becoming a nurse was one of the greatest loves of Pat’s career life. She married in 1955 and moved to Anchorage, Alaska, in 1960 with her husband Richard Kruse and their children.

Pat worked at Providence Hospital in Anchorage during the Good Friday 1964 earthquake. Becoming the Assistant Administrator of Nursing Services at Providence Hospital was incredibly fulfilling and the culmination of her professional nursing days. Pat retired from Providence in 1977 and launched a successful second career in real estate.

Pat and Dick enjoyed traveling. They made multiple trips to Croatia, visiting Pat’s relatives and the Tomlanovich and Krmpotich homes where her parents were born. She also enjoyed her pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

Pat loved a good time, especially gatherings with friends and family. An invite to her Christmas Day strawberry waffle breakfast, a lamb roast for special occasions, or the chance to dance to live polka music were always exciting events.

In addition to working full time and raising her family, she was an avid volunteer. She frequently donated her time and energy in Anchorage, Alaska, to various shelters, health fairs, and breast cancer survivor support groups. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter J, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Pioneers of Alaska, the Anchorage Women’s Club, and the Providence Hospital Auxiliary. In Arizona she supported St. Vincent DePaul (AZ) and the Legion of Mary at St. Steven’s Church in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Pat’s religious faith gave her great strength and joy. She loved her grandkids, family, friends, and helping her community. Pat will be remembered for fully embracing life with love, humor, and humility.

She is survived by her children Kim Kruse (Mark Smedley) of Anchorage; Rick Kruse (Mary Reker) of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Carol O’Leary (Terry O’Leary) of Cusick, Wash.; grandchildren McKenzie Kruse Smedley, Casey O’Leary, Hanna O’Leary, Patrick O’Leary, Haley Kruse, and Nicolas Kruse; her sisters Vicki Majewski (Larry Majewski) of Goodland, Minn., and Lois Mehle of Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Kruse, brother John Tomlan, sister Georgene Tomlanovich, and parents Sylvia (Tomlanovich) Latick and John Tomlanovich.

A Memorial Mass was held at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 3900 Wisconsin Street, Anchorage, AK 99517, on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 11 a.m. A reception at the church followed. Pat will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, Ariz., beside her husband, at a later date.

Valerie Marie Nigro

Valerie Marie Nigro, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, family member, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at the age of 79 on Feb. 12, 2023. She was under the care of Hospice of the Valley at Robson Reserve in Sun Lakes, Ariz.

Valerie was born on Sept. 23, 1943, in Buffalo, N.Y., to Virginia and Guido Crapsi. She was the oldest of their six children and had a large extended family. Valerie learned Spanish as an exchange student in Ecuador and later in Madrid, Spain, when she majored in Spanish at Rosary Hill College (now Daemen College).

After college, Valerie served as a Vista volunteer in El Paso, Texas, and taught at Nardin Academy in Buffalo, N.Y. In 1968 she married Bart, whom she had met in a Catholic youth group, and they had four children: Bart, Jr., Linnea, Brian, and Kimberly. Staying home to raise her children was important to Valerie, so she opened her own Montessori school in their home.

After moving to Tempe, Ariz., in 1980, Valerie was a dedicated volunteer at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish for many years, including teaching Spanish and serving twice as prefect of the Women’s Sodality. She also received the Catholic Woman of the Year award from the Diocese of Phoenix. After Bart retired, Valerie and Bart traveled to Israel in 2000 and volunteered for 10 years with St. Vincent de Paul.

Her faith, family, and friends were the things that mattered the most to Valerie, and she loved being a grandmother (“Nonni”) to her seven grandchildren. Throughout her life, she kept in touch with countless relatives, neighbors, and friends from all aspects of her life, writing sweet cards and notes with prayers or newspaper clippings. All who knew Valerie were touched by her thoughtfulness and kindness.

Valerie was preceded in death by her husband Bart, Sr.; her son Bart, Jr.; her parents Virginia and Guido Crapsi; and her brother, the Honorable Paul V. Crapsi. She is survived by three children: Linnea Nigro, Brian Nigro, and Kimberly Douglas (Walter); seven grandchildren: Madeline, Isabella, Nathaniel, Christopher, Sheamus, Bart John-Paul, and Virginia; sisters: Vanessa Harris (John) and Venita Fay (Robert); brothers: Daniel Crapsi (Ginny Temple) and Vincent Crapsi (Sheri Ruark Kennedy); and various in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations may be made in Valerie’s memory to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Arizona, Maggie’s Place, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Dorothy Joan Porter

Dorothy Joan Porter (“Dort”) passed away on Feb. 26, 2023. Dort was born in Wilmot, S.D., on Feb. 4, 1933, the youngest daughter of Russell and Agnes Jorgensen. She experienced the hardships of the Dust Bowl at a young age, and at six years old, she moved with her mother and older brother Bill and sister Norma to Davenport, Iowa, to join her father, aunts, and uncles in search of a better life. She graduated from Davenport High School and was an active member of the debate team and drama club. She attended Monmouth College before her father tragically died of a heart attack, and she returned home to care for her mother. Six years later, Dort moved to San Francisco in search of adventure and saved enough money to take the QE2 with girlfriends to Europe.

Dort returned to Davenport a month later and was set up on a blind date with Robert Porter—”the most handsome man I ever met.” In 1958 Dort married Robert “Bob” Porter after a whirlwind six-week courtship and started their adventurous 60-year life together.

Dort worked as a secretary in numerous industries and nonprofits and excelled at organizational development. She moved her family to Sierra Vista, Ariz.; Okinawa, Japan; and back to Iowa as the wife and life partner of a government civil servant. Before retiring to Sun Lakes, Ariz., she and Bob completed a six-year tour of Germany, stationed at Grafenwoehr, where they traveled extensively and made many lifelong friends.

Her love of animals was well known, and she had many pets throughout her life. Dort was an artist and was always picking up a new expression, be it ceramics, sewing her children’s clothes, creating slipcovers for the furniture, gardening and flower arrangement, painting, and intricate needlework. Well into their 70s, she and Bob took to the road, displaying and selling their unique gourd creations.

Dort loved her family, and nothing made her happier than spending time with a loved one. She traveled well into her 80s, visiting both friends and family.

She is predeceased by her husband, her youngest daughter Amy, great-granddaughter Carlie, brother Bill, and sister Marjory. Surviving members of her family include her beloved sister Norma; daughters Beth and Lynn, son Terry, and their partners William, Mike, and Reeda; grandchildren Lorien, Lindsay, Lydia, Taylor, Rachael, Cali, Elizabeth, Zach, and Aiden; and great-grandchildren Ian, Hayden, Zelda, Nehemiah, and Khloe. She was proud to be an auntie and cousin to numerous people, as well as a good friend to all who were fortunate enough to meet her.

Dort died peacefully … her beautiful and feisty spirit lives on in all who knew her. Memorials can be made in her name to the National ASPCA or the Ramsey Canyon Preserve Stewardship Endowment (www.nature.org/arizona).

Nancy Lee Erickson Smith

Nancy Lee Erickson Smith was born March 15, 1936, in Hibbing, Minn., to Ralph Leif Erickson and Louise Hadley Erickson. The Erickson family then moved to Magna, Utah, where Leif went to work for the Kennecott Copper Company. Nancy attended the University of Hawaii for a year and then returned to the mainland and enrolled at the University of Utah.

At the U, she met Bob Smith. They were married June 27, 1959, in Salt Lake City. David was born in 1961, and they moved to the new city of Northglenn, Colo., in 1965. Michael was born in 1969.

She held various part-time jobs to be home when the boys got home from school. Along the way, she was the choir director at Valley Heights Christian Church, then Northglenn Christian Church, Ghost Town Club of Colorado president, and resident artist. At the age of 62, she went back to college and graduated from Metropolitan State College in Denver with a double major in music and art, graduating with honors.

They moved to Chandler in 1997 where she joined the choir, then led the choir and organized the library. She has more than 35 originally licensed songs with the Office of Copyright in Washington, D.C. She learned to play the harp at 82.

As Bob’s Alzheimer’s progressed, they moved to the Gardens at Ocotillo. Bob passed on April 16, 2022, and she handled it like everything else … with dignity and grace. With Bob in a better place, her health began to decline rapidly, and four and a half months later, on Sept. 2, 2022, she quietly walked into the arms of Jesus.

The family would like to express its thanks to everyone who loved Bob and Nancy. To their SunBird friends, to the Sun Lakes Community Church, the choirs, to pastor Mitch, to Lois, Lyn and Larry, and especially to Aegis Hospice who helped us through the loss of Bob and Nancy within four and a half months.

They are survived by David and Coleen (Mathew, Katie), great-grandson Levi; Michael and Nicole (Tyler, Michaela), great-granddaughter Lily; step-grands Meghan Stewart (Kevin), McKinley; Morgan Heinzroth (Sylar), Hallie; sister Barbara Bowman (Phil); and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held at Sun Lakes Community Church at 10:30 a.m. on April 15. Memorials may be made to Aegis Hospice, a library of your choice, or Wasatch Academy.

Barbara (Love) St. Peter

Barbara (Love) St. Peter was born on June 30, 1939, in Milnor, N.D., to Stuart and Helen (Hauge) Love. As a child, her family spent time living in North Dakota, Canada, and Minnesota before moving back to North Dakota after her father’s death in 1950. Barb graduated from Enderlin High School where she was crowned homecoming queen her senior year. She attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in education. Barbara was an enthusiastic teacher and taught children for over 40 years. She began her career teaching on air force bases during the Vietnam War. She taught in Germany, the Philippines, and Okinawa Islands, allowing her the ability to travel to many countries throughout the world. She met her first husband Fred Doyle while teaching in the Philippines, and they married in 1966. The couple lived in North Carolina and Lake Tahoe before divorcing. She moved back to Minnesota and continued teaching in Columbia Heights. Soon after, she met her soulmate Neil St. Peter, and they married in 1977. Barb and Neil spent their time playing golf, downhill skiing, and camping. They loved to travel and adventure together. They spent their summers in Wisconsin at Voyager Village, and they enjoyed the winter months in Sun Lakes, Ariz. Barb loved playing Mah Jongg with her friends, cooking, knitting, and painting. Some of her fondest memories included adventures with her college friends, canoeing in the boundary waters. Barb was a jet-setter, had impeccable taste for fashion and lifestyle, and was an avid reader.

She is survived by her husband Neil St. Peter; his children Roxanne (Thomas) Reese of Minneapolis, Denise (Joseph) McAlpin of Chanhassen, and James (Chris) St. Peter of Madison, Wisc.; her brother Everett Love of Plymouth; many nieces and nephews who served as her children during her life: Cynthia Green of Northfield; Robert (Susan) Stangler of Northfield; Nancy (Jim) Pappas of Chandler, Ariz.; Lawrence (Marnie) Stangler of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Wendy Whiting of Plymouth; Jeff (Melissa) Love of Crossville, Tenn.; Treva (Bill) Gaffney of Huntington Beach, Calif.; Serena Love and partner Neil Shackel of Brisbane, Australia; and her beloved puppy Charlie. She was preceded in death by her parents Stuart and Helen Love, sister Lois Stangler, brother Stuart Love, sisters-in-law Gayle Love and Bonnie Love, brother-in-law Chuck Stangler, and her beloved West Highland Terriers Bilbo Baggins, Reggie, and Maximillian.

Funeral services were held at Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church, 5530 N. 42nd Ave., Robbinsdale, Minn., on Friday, March 24, 2023, beginning at 11 a.m. Visitation was one hour prior to the service in the church. Burial will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Bierman Funeral Home and Crematory, Northfield, Minn., biermanfuneralhome.com.