LouAnn Middendorf

LouAnn B. "Lou" Middendorf, age 78 of Melrose, died peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at the CentraCare Nursing Home in Melrose, Minnesota. Her strength, determination and grace showed throughout her journey.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 1 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose with Deacon Ernie Kociemba officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Lou Schlicht was born March 23, 1938 in Melrose, Minnesota to Max and Lorraine (Claseman) Schlicht. She worked as a secretary at St. Mary's School for 19 years. She then worked part-time at Melrose State Bank/US Bank for nine years; retiring in 2000.

Lou was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church and a volunteer election judge for many years. In her younger years, she enjoyed bowling at the Melrose Bowl and traveling to Las Vegas. She also enjoyed dog sitting, Melrose sports, especially boys' basketball, was a MN Vikings fan and enjoyed scratch offs. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her children, Deb (Keith) Miner of Circle Pines, Terry Middendorf of Minneapolis, and Sheila (Robin) Handy of Minneapolis; four grandchildren, Brooke (Sam) Schmitz, Nikki Middendorf, Kelly Miner, and Sammy Miner; and two grand dogs, Maizey and Mickey.

Lou was preceded in death by her parents, Max and Lorraine Schlicht.

Serving as casket bearers will be Deb and Keith Miner, Sheila and Robin Handy, Terry Middendorf, Sam Schmitz, and Jeff Goihl. Cross bearers will be Brooke Schmitz and Nikki Middendorf and scripture bearers will be Kelly Miner and Sammy Miner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the CentraCare Health in Melrose, Coborn Cancer Center in St. Cloud and/or the Humane Society in Golden Valley.