The following obituaries are from the April 24, 2008 print edition of the Eden Prairie News newspaper:

Donald R. Carlson

Donald Carlson, 90, of Excelsior, has passed away.

Mass of Christian Burial was Saturday, April 12, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Excelsior. Visitation was held Friday, April 11, from 5-8 p.m. with prayer service at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church gathering space. Visitation was also one hour prior to service at the church on Saturday.

Huber Funeral & Cremation Services The Excelsior Chapel, 952-474-9595.

Ruth E. Friehe

Ruth Friehe, 80, a 46-year resident of Eden Prairie, died Tuesday, April 15, 2008.

Memorial service will be at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie, on Monday, May 5, at 3 p.m. Gathering of family and friends to follow at Bent Creek Golf Club, 14490 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie.

Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 952-975-0400.

Jennifer Legus Edgar

Jennifer Lynn (Legus) Edgar, 42, died Wednesday, April 16, 2008.

Visitation was held from 3-6 p.m. Sunday, April 20, at the Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel. Memorial service was 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, at St. Victoria Catholic Church, 8228 Victoria Drive, Victoria, with visitation one hour prior to service.

Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 952-975-0400.

Frances Jordan Blacklock

Frances Jordan Blacklock, age 93, died of heart failure on March 19, 2008 while in Hospice care at Oakview Residential Care in Moose Lake. Frances Blacklock

Fran was born in Minneapolis to Martin and Hazel Jordan on Sept. 13, 1914. She graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1931 and the U of M in 1936, with a degree in public school music. She was married to and business partner of pioneering nature photographer Les Blacklock. In 1953, they bought a small house on 17 acres of Anderson Lake shoreline in Eden Prairie. Son Craig was born in 1954. Fran led Cub Scout meetings for three years and served on the first Eden Prairie Park Board for ten years. During the 23 years they lived in Eden Prairie, Fran and Les successfully worked to see that their land and the surrounding areas would be set aside as part of the county park system.

In 1976, the family moved to Moose Lake, Les’ hometown. There, Fran co-founded the non-profit organization Blacklock Nature Sanctuary with a mission to protect land from development. In partnership with the Jerome Foundation of St. Paul, the Sanctuary provides artists with time, freedom, and space for up to month-long residencies.

For 32 years, Fran lived in her home in the woods, next door to her son Craig and his family. She remained an ardent conservationist, with a keen interest in current affairs and the well-being of others. Her gracious demeanor and kind smile greeted every visitor.

Fran was preceded in death by husband Les, brother Al Jordan, and daughter-in-law Nadine. She is survived by son Craig, his wife Honey, and their daughter Charis. She is also survived by brother Ross Jordan and his wife Phyllis, sister-in-law Lois Blacklock Swanson, and many loving nieces and nephews.

At Fran’s request, a private celebration of her life will be held later this spring in the woods surrounding her home. Memorials may be sent to the Blacklock Nature Sanctuary, P.O. Box 426, Moose Lake, MN 55767. For more details on Fran’s long, wonderful life and to give memorials to the Sanctuary via credit card, go to www.blacklock.org [1].

Mary Anne Geving

Mary Anne Geving, 71, of Chanhassen, passed away Sunday, April 20, 2008 at her favorite place where both she and Dale enjoyed their time, Grand Lake, following a courageous battle with cancer.Mary Anne Geving

She was born in St. Cloud, Minn. on May 23, 1936. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 48 years, Dale W. Geving; parents, Edward & Marion (Gillis) Zapp.

Survived by children, Dianne (Gilbert) Jabs, Chaska, Michelle (Thomas) Baranick, Hudson, Wis., Cheryl Geving, Chanhassen, Mark Geving, Oakdale, Minn.; grandchildren, John, Bradley and Nicole Baranick, David, Jenna and Melanie Jabs, Emily and Michael Geving; brother, Edward Zapp, St. Cloud.

Mary Anne graduated from Cathedral High School and St. Cloud State University, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She was active as a board member of Zappco Inc. and Zapp Bank in St. Cloud and also served as a board member at St. Hubert Catholic Community, Chanhassen, as well as a Carver County Health Advisory board member.

Mass of Christian Burial is Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 10651 County Road 8, Pearl Lake (Marty), Minn. (320-398-7986).

Visitation is Wednesday, April 23, from 4-8 p.m. at Huber Funeral Home, 16394 Glory Lane, Eden Prairie (1/2 mile south of Highway 5 on Eden Prairie Road) and one hour prior to Mass at church. Interment at Holy Cross Catholic Church Cemetery. There will be a luncheon held immediately following services at Holy Cross Catholic School. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the MN Landscape Arboretum or Poor Clares of St. Joseph.

Huber Funeral & Cremation Services The Eden Prairie Chapel, 952-949-4970.