Memorials
Introduction
This section is dedicated to all the deceased classmates and offers some information about each person in what the Memorial Committee has called a "snippet." The Commitee uses various sources to compile a snippet. Some information has come directly from friends, family, classmates, partners, and spouses. Other sources include Ancestry.com, Twin Cities and other local newspaper obituaries, many online resources including the SLP Class of '69 Facebook page. The committee wishes to thank Alan Perlman for managing and maintaining that Facebook page, which announces whenever we've lost a classmate.
As of September 2024, 128 classmates have passed away, representing about 16.5% of the class.
Disclaimer: Every attempt has been made to verify or link multiple data sets to confirm that the data for each classmate is correct. However, if anything found to be incorrect, we apologize. Or feel free to contact Lesley Blicker with changes needed at: lablick@comcast.net.
WANT TO VIEW JUST A LIST OF THE NAMES OF THE DECEASED CLASSMATES?
Then please visit the In Memorium page.
It's our privilege to serve as the Class of '69 Memorial Committee:
- Caryn Goldberg, Chair
- Harvey Zuckman
- Lesley Blicker
The Memorials begin at the bottom of this page. They contain the most information found or learned about each classmate. However, you can view an abbreviated version of the memorials by clicking on the PDF file below. You can even download it or print it out for later viewing.
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Don't See Your Loved One's Memorial?
Please do NOT create a new memorial. Instead, please email whatever you would like it to say to: Lesley Blicker at lablick@comcast.net. Two to three paragraphs is ideal, but it can be longer, if desired. Please include the link to your loved one's obituary. And if you wish to include a recent photo of your loved one, then send just one photo. We wish we could post more, but the software won't allow it. We do have all classmates' senior yearbook photos, so no need to send that.
Have Additional Info to Add?
Use the Tribute Function. Find the person and then add a tribute using the red text box link below the person's memorial.
Using the Sort Function
Memorials will appear in alphabetical order by last name at time of graduation. However, you can search any name in the search bar below, or sort by any of the options listed in the pull down menu.
Gary Samsky
1951-08-01 2023-03-27
Gary Samsky died peacefully in 2023 at the age of 71.
He is survived by sister Susie Meier/Dan, brother Stuart Samsky/Kathy and sister Kori Savitt/Charles. He is also survived by 4 nieces and 4 great nieces/nephews.
Throughout his life Gary was an automotive salesman and entrepreneur. He was an avid Minnesota sports fan, golfer, fisherman and was a member of the Cranes. He loved animals, especially cats, donating time to the Animal Humane Society.
What friends had to say about Gary:
>Gary, your light shine so brightly that even though I’ve not seen you in years—I’d still crack a smile if you popped into my mind. My kitties and I mi...
Alan Schloner
1950-11-17 2020-03-26
Alan, of Mount Ayr, died in 2020 at age 69 in Nashville, Arkansas.
He earned an associate’s degree in graphic communication and was also certified in electronics. As a gift from his family, Alan, his son Jacob and grandson Joseph had been returning from a bucket list trip to see the ocean. While visiting the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana, Alan was able to experience his long-awaited crawfish boil, oysters on the half shell, and time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Natalie, two sons, three grandchildren; and 4 siblings.
Alan married Cathy Marie Dorn in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Together they had two sons, Adam and Jacob. They divorced in 1994. Alan’s...
Carol Selcer
1951-08-29 2016-08-20
Carol passed away unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 64.
She is survived by special friend, Reno Van Putten;, one sister, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Carole spent most of her adult life in the San Francisco Bay area. She returned to Minneapolis in 2000 but left her heart in San Francisco.
One of Carol’s school friends said that she and Carol became friends in junior high and remained in touch until their twenties. They shared many laughs while spending time at each other’s homes. Carol’s aunt owned Sak’s Smartwear, next to the Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis, where they pretended they could afford the fanciest of dresses. Carol’s parent...
Deborah Hettinger (Seydel)
1951-09-24 2021-10-03
Deborah Hettinger of Saltillo, MS, passed away at North Mississippi Medical Center in 2021 at the age 70.
No other information was found.
Obituary: https://www.associatedfuneral.com/obituary/Deborah-Hettinger
Nessalee Shedlov
1951-08-22 2010-02-20
Nessalee died in 2010 at the age of 59.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Clay.
Nessalee was a classy, spirited beauty who was loving, thoughtful, and kind. She possessed a raw sense of humor, captivating smile, and contagious laugh. “Aunty Ness” will be remembered for the kindness in her soul and the beauty she portrayed.
Obituary: https://tinyurl.com/yc3wuy9y
Sandra Havrilla (Sidla)
1951-02-21 2019-09-06
Sandra Sidla Havrilla passed away in 2019 at the age of 68, following her battle with Parkinson's & Lewy Body disease.
Sandy is survived by Arlen, her husband of 40 years, son Andy, daughter Marie, and granddaughter Anna Sun. A Celebration of Life was held on Sat. Sept. 14th, 2019 at Valley Community Presbyterian Church, Golden Valley.
Sandra received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, in 1978.
Full obituary: https://obituaries.startribune.com/obituary/sandra-havrilla-1090188890
Gary Sievertson
1951-04-19 2009-04-18
Gary passed away unexpectedly at home in 2009 at age 58.
He enjoyed photography, Gopher sports, and fishing. He is survived by his mother, Polly; brother, Brian; and relatives and friends.
From the tribute wall on his obituary:
>I met Gary when he and I were both patients at the Golden Living Center. I appreciated his friendship; it made my stay there much less lonely. He had such a great way with people - everyone - other patients, the staff, and visitors. He had terrific stories; I especially liked hearing about his squirrels. One of the really nice guys I've ever met.
>A genuine friend, and all round good person! "Tickle...
Mark Silvernail
1951-01-31 2012-04-09
Mark passed away in 2012 at the age of 61.
Mark worked his entire career in the HVAC industry.
No other information found.
Robert Singer
1951-05-24 2012-07-15
Bob died in 2012 at the age of 61 due to a stroke and stomach cancer.
Bob graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in business and then moved to Los Angeles where he earned his MBA at the University of Southern California. He subsequently took a job as a marketing executive for Intel Corporation.
In 2006, he retired to Sacramento to play golf, ride his Harley, and snowboard. He is survived by wife, Cindy, two sisters and their families, and many friends.
One classmate’s best story is when Bob was working for IBM; he called one day to say he went to work for this small company called Intel. It worked out pretty well for him.
View Memorial and Tributes
Daniel Siskin
1951-10-29 2023-12-13
Daniel Siskin, of Naples, FL, passed away peacefully in 2023 at age 72. Danny was a generous, loyal and protective friend. As a kid he was big, strong and an amazing athlete. Stories abound of him stepping in for the wronged, smaller kid, if a playground or other dispute needed to be settled.
Danny became a Class A PGA golf professional who created a lifetime of memories with all who knew him. His greatest joy was hosting his many friends and family on the best golf courses in Naples and sharing a day of laughter and memories of their lives together. Everyone came away with a smile and most likely a better golf swing!
Preceded in death by his beloved parents,...
Robert Soles Vance
1951-05-24 2009-08-13
Bob passed away on in 2009 at the age of 58.
No other information was found.
Howard Stanchfield
1951-07-10 2016-01-19
Howard died unexpectedly in 2016 at the age of 64.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Bobbi and Tom Sipe; brother and sister-in-law Albert and Katrina Stanchfield; and many family members and friends. Howard lived for the rock and roll music of the 70’s and 80’s and played the electric guitar (and drums as a teenager). He was a humorous, free-spirited, and kind-hearted soul who was rarely seen without his trademark black beret.
Full obituary: https://www.startribune.com/obituaries/detail/119364/?fullname=howard-neal-stanchfield
Susan Stevens
1952-06-09 2015-10-25
Susan Stevens, of Burnsville, MN passed away peacefully in 2015 at age 63.
She lived her life teaching and caring for children and tending to others. She is dearly missed.
Obituary: https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/9125/Susan-Stevens/obituary.html
Mary Stott
1950-09-11 2004-05-07
Mary passed away in 2004 at the age of 53.
No other information was found.
Jerry Strauss
1951-03-29 2011-01-25
Jerry died in 2011 at the age of 59.
If you did not know Jerry Strauss, you didn’t go to St. Louis Park High School! Jerry was funny, charming, and larger than life. He married classmate, Eileen Ingber, in 1973 and they had three boys. Jerry pursued a career in criminal law. He worked for Hennepin County as both a public defender and prosecutor before entering private practice as a criminal defense lawyer. In October of 2010, he had a rare side effect from a prescribed drug, which put him into a coma. He came out of it but developed many complications which ultimately took his life three months later. Jerry had a big heart, an overabundance of warmth and kindness, and a givin...
Paul Swanson
1951-07-25 2024-04-29
Paul Swanson of Maple Grove, passed away in 2024 at the age of 72.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Cindy of 48 years, his son, granddaughters, siblings, and many relatives and friends.
In 1972 he joined United Church Directories where he worked for over 50 years. He enjoyed meeting many pastors and priests, and understanding how he could serve them and the congregation with directories.
In the early days he worked as a photographer and met Cindy in January 1974 while photographing Armstrong Church. It was the era of the OPEC oil embargo, and he ran out of gas on their first date requiring his sister to come to their rescue on a cold January...
Patrick Tierney
1951-05-29 2004-01-02
Patrick Tierney, of Afton, passed away in 2004 at the age of 52 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Pat was a 6 year member of the Afton City Council, active member of the Afton Historical Society, and a city council liaison to the Afton Design Review/Historic Preservation Commission.
Pat was known as “The Volkswagen Man."
A tribute left by his younger brother Tim, on the obituary page:
"Happy Birthday Big Brother. Hope we got you good and crabby on May 25th when most of your siblings, our spouses, and nieces & nephews were visiting you and sprucing up your resting place. You are so missed, and so loved. You have always been my t...
Gail Tilsen
1951-10-06 1975-06-13
Gail, sadly died in 1975 in a horrible car crash, at the age of 23, along with her sister and husband of two months.
Gail was a beautiful, loving friend. She was smart, kind, and loyal. A high school classmate and close friends with Gail, relayed that she saw Gail, Sid (her husband of two months), and her younger sister, Tari, on June 13, 1975, when they came to the hospital to celebrate the birth of her daughter.
Later that day, all three were killed in a car accident (caused by a drunken driver), on their way home from a party in St. Cloud. There are, and never were, words for this tremendous loss.
Mark Tosteson
1951-02-11 2016-11-20
Mark died peacefully in 2016 at the age of 65.
Mark lived in the Twin Cities area his whole life. He married Marie Urtel in January 1976.
Tributes left on his obituary page:
>I have many fond memories of Mark from the restaurant days and all the time we spent riding around in his car cruising the lakes. He spent so much time at dad's restaurant, Cliff’s, renamed to Jack Reed’s Drive-In.
>Many fond memories of Mark from growing up on Princeton Ave. together. Playing a neighborhood game called the "Gun Game", Mark was always a force to be reckoned with.
>I will never forget you from our teen years, you would sit for ho...
Alan Tuttle
1950-10-01 1993-04-30
Alan passed away on in 1993 at age 42.
No other information was found.