GLENN ELTON ST. MARY

Glenn Elton St. Mary Glenn St. Mary, age 86, of Caledonia, passed away on August 18, 2023, at Claddagh Senior Living Center, Caledonia. Glenn was born to Harold and Ragnhild (Peterson) St. Mary on October 1, 1936 in Caledonia, MN. He graduated from Loretto High School in 1954 and was united in marriage to Lolita (Olson) on July 30, 1955 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church grotto. Sadly, Lolita passed away 16 days ago after celebrating 68 years of marriage. In 1955, Glenn enlisted in the US Army and did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and Fort Bliss, TX. He completed his military obligations at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY and spent 8 years in the Army Reserve. Before and after the military, Glenn worked for his father at St. Mary’s Auto Body Shop, Caledonia, until 1965 when he purchased the business and operated it until 1972. Mechanically inclined, there were few things Glenn couldn’t figure out how to repair. In 1972, Glenn and his family moved to Grinnell, Iowa, where he was employed by Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. He was a supervisor for inspections and investigations for the Engineering Department and also for special fire investigations. He qualified as a court expert to testify in Civil/Criminal Fire and Explosion cases. Glenn was a member of Arson Investigations, appointed to serve on the Iowa Governor’s Fire Law Safety Committee and served as an Advisory Member to the LP Gas Association. He was President of Hawkeye Fire Safety Association and taught some fire safety classes at Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa. He was a member of the Iowa Firemen’s Association. Glenn went to work as Safety Director for Manatt’s, Inc. road contractors, Brooklyn, Iowa, in 1983. He assisted with quotes and risk management concerns for the operation, organized and led job safety training, implemented incentive programs and the company newsletter. He was selected Chairman of AGC Safety Committee. Glenn and Lolita moved to Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1993 where Glenn worked for Gundaker’s Better Homes & Gardens Realtors until 1998, when they retired to Caledonia. Glenn and Lolita enjoyed spending winters in Rockport, TX and the Rio Grande Valley. Glenn was a member of the Caledonia Fire Department for 14 years, before moving to Grinnell, IA. He served as Assistant Chief and was Fire Chief for 5 years. He was a founding member of the Tri-County Fire Association. Glenn had many interests. He was a flying enthusiast and earned his private pilot’s license in 1965. He was one of ten people who founded the Red Baron Flyers, Caledonia, in 1968. He was a life-long race car fan and attended many NASCAR races with friends and family. With fishing pole in hand, you could often find him with a friend on the Mississippi. Glenn was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Over the years, he was active in gun training, Boy Scouts, and a member of the Caledonia American Legion, and other organizations in the communities. Glenn was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lolita, sister Yvonne Murphy and in-laws John Almo, Reginald & Elaine Olson, David Olson, Frances Jean Olson, Maxine & Lorren Tingesdal, Juanita & Neut Michelsen, & Chuck Pluhar. He will be dearly missed by his family: children Jacqueline (Harvey) Schweitzer, Michael (Jo) St. Mary, Laura St. Mary, Joan (Tom) Grawe, Lisa (Ted) Glickley; grandchildren Ben, Adam, Joseph, Callie, Anneliese, Mathias; great-grandchild Maleah; sister Audrey Almo; brothers Lyle (Linda Covey) St. Mary, Duane (Judy) St. Mary, Allan St. Mary, Bryan (Lori) St. Mary; in-laws Cheryl Pluhar, Charles (Janet) Olson, Marion Olson; aunt Darlene Peterson; many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11am, Saturday, August 26, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Visitation will be Friday, August 25, 4 to 6pm, with rosary at 3:30pm in Holy Family Hall, St. Mary’s Church, Caledonia. Visitation will also be Saturday morning from 10-11am at the church. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia, MN; Caledonia Fire Department; The Red Baron Flyers, Caledonia. The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice, Claddagh Assisted Living, St. Mary’s Church staff, Fr. Andrew Vogel, Sr. Michaeline and home healthcare aides Katie, Laurie Ann, and Carla.

GLENN ELTON ST. MARY

October 1, 1936 - August 18, 2023