Most Recent Lakeville Deaths—July 15, 2013

Here are the most recent people to pass away in Lakeville or who had ties to Lakeville:

Edward Hajin Chang, 79
Edward Hajin Chang, age 79, of Lakeville, formerly of Burnsville passed away July 13, 2013. Ed retired from Fremont Industries in Shakopee after 46 years. Precede in death by parents, Won Hong Chang and On Chun Kim. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Beverly Chang; children, Cynthia (Tim) Reidy and Steve (Stephanie) Chang; grandchildren, Erin and Quin Reidy and Katie, Daniel, Patrick and Meghan Chang; brothers, Ha Seu and Ha Won. Funeral Service will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at the White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave. Apple Valley (952 432 2001) with a visitation from 11-1 PM prior to service. Memorials will de donated to McKenna Crossing and Methodist Hospital Hospice. Private, interment at a later date. Online condolences at:www.whitefuneralhomes.com

Merle E. Knutson, 88
Merle E. Knutson, age 88, of Lakeville. Survived by wife, Lois; sons, Mark (Joanne), Craig (Rena), and Lynn (Lori); step-son, Kenneth (Cathie) Wyatt; 7 grandchildren; 2 step-granddaughters; 1 great-grandson; and other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by wife, Eunice. Funeral services 11 AM on Tuesday (7/16/13) at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 3901 1st Ave S. in Mpls. Visitation 5-7 PM on Monday at Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel, 6527 Portland Ave in Richfield, and one hour prior to service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Interment Fort Snelling. Morris Nilsen Chapel 612-869-3226 www.morrisnilsen.com

Michael Joseph Cummings, 68
Michael Joseph Cummings, 68, of Boyne City, MI, passed away on June 30 after a long battle with cancer. Mike was born on March 31, 1945, in St. Paul. He graduated from St. Mark's School and Cretin High School. After attending St. Cloud State University, Mike enlisted in the United States Army and worked at the Institute for Surgical Research Burn Center at the Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston during theVietnam war. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Specialist 5. Mike served for decades in law enforcement positions with the Burnsville Public Safety Department, Lakeville Police Department, Scott County Sheriff's Office, State of Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the State of Minnesota Department of Revenue. He also worked as an investigator for the Ramsey County Public Defender's Office and managed compliance and security systems in the gaming industry in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado and Michigan. In his retirement, Mike served faithfully as a Boyne City Commissioner and a board member for the Boyne Area Free Clinic. Mike is survived by his wife Lyn; children Matthew (Jennifer) Cummings, Michael (Nikki) Ahl, and Kelley (Bud) Kosin; grandchildren Rori and Ronan Cummings, Hannah, Gabby, and Luke Ahl, and Ethan Kosin; mother, Betty; sister, Pat; niece, Oona Peterson; aunts, Kay and Irene; and many loving cousins and friends. Mike was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Shelley Marie; father, Thomas and sister, Mary Jo. Family, friends and Father Clay will celebrate God's love for Mike with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 17, at the Church of St. Stanislaus, 398 Superior St., just north of St. Clair Avenue and West 7th Street in St. Paul. Visitation at 10 AM. Memorials to the family preferred. Private interment at Fort Snelling.

Steven Albertson, 55
Steven Albertson, 55, of Minocqua WI; formerly of St. Cloud, Grand Forks, Lakeville; Feb. 11, 1958-July 3, 2013.

Steve Albertson passed away peacefully, at age 55, on Wednesday, July 3, 2013.

Forever loved, Steve will be remembered by, wife, Patty; sons, Brett Albertson and Kyle Albertson ; step-daughters, Sarah Jackson and Hannah Jackson; sisters, Judy (Gary) May and Tami (Dale) Adams; niece, Michelle (Ken) Hueser ; nephew, Scott (Jennifer) May; other loving relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life Service is on Monday, July 15, 2013 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30-11:00 all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake, MN. A private interment will be held at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Springfield, MN. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed by the family in Steve's honor.