Mary Lu Kirchoff

Mary Lu Kirchoff, age 93, of St. Paul, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on August 5, 2023.

Mary Lu was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on September 1, 1929, to Russell and Inez Duncanson. She settled in St. Paul where she would go on to raise her six children and open her home to anyone that needed it.

"If you are a dreamer, come in
If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar,
A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer...
If you're a pretender, come sit by my fire
For we have some flax-golden tales to spin.
Come in!
Come in!"
- Shel Silverstein (Where the Sidewalk Ends)

She worked for the Union Advocate Newspaper and retired after twenty-seven years. She also had a passion for helping others and worked at the Andrew Residence for seventeen years.

Mary enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, baking, and coloring. She also enjoyed sitting on her patio, watching the birds outside of her apartment in Forest Lake, Minnesota where she lived independently until her passing. Mary Lu's kindness and passion for helping others was demonstrated throughout her life. Her best piece of advice and the words she lived by were "don't let the bastards get you down". She was deeply loved and will be missed by many.

Mary Lu was preceded in death by parents, Russell and Inez Duncanson; daughters Kathleen Kirchoff & Elizabeth Hochule; granddaughter, Kelly Nord; son-in-law Andy Nord; daughter-in-law Judy Klosowski; siblings Russell (Buck) Duncanson, Thomas Duncanson & June Milligan. Survived by children Kathy Burkman, Mary Anne Nord (Sherif), Steve Kirchoff, Patti Brett, Bryan Kirchoff & Sue Kane (Tim); son-in-law Dan Hochule; grandchildren Andrea Nord Montan, Amy Darwin (Ed), Teresa Brett, Fred Brett, Nicholas Kirchoff, Charlie Brett, Jeffrey Kirchoff (Lesley), Cassandra Martin (Brent), Danielle Lardani, Gunnar Kane; great grandchildren Max Montan, Alexa Brett, Sarah Montan, Mykela Darwin, Emily Montan, Hailey Bolin, Myah Darwin, Connor Hochule, James Bolin, Aliyah, Blake, Destiny, & Bria Martin, Robert Brett, Kevin & Kyle Kirchoff, and Annika Hopkins; and great-great grandson Easton Herold as well as many nieces and nephews.

Service Monday, August 14, 2023 at 11:00 am at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Visitation  Sunday, August 13th from 3:00-6:00 pm and one hour before the service on Monday.

**As published in the Pioneer Press- Thursday August 10, 2023

Mary Lu Kirchoff, age 93, of St. Paul, passed away August 5, 2023.

Mary was preceded in death by parents, Russell and Inez Duncanson; daughters Kathleen & Elizabeth; son-in-law Andy; daughter-in-law Judy; siblings Russell, Thomas & June. Survived by children Kathy Burkman, Mary Anne Nord (Sherif), Steve, Patti Brett, Bryan & Sue Kane (Tim); son-in-law Dan Hochule; 9 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and a great great grandson; many nieces & nephews. Mary Lu retired from the Union Advocate Newspaper and then worked for the Andrew Residence.

Service Monday, August 14, 2023 at 11:00 am at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. Visitation Sunday, August 13th from 3:00-6:00 pm and one hour before the service on Monday.