David Willard 'Ace' Aho
Aho, David "Ace" Willard age 68 of Virginia died unexpectedly on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. He was born May 14, 1956, to Willard and Elsie (Pohto) Aho in Virginia. David was a 1974 graduate of Virginia Roosevelt High School. Following high school he attended Hibbing Junior College and Lee Data. Later, David went on to receive his honorary doctorate from the school of hard knocks. He grew up in Virginia, moved to Minneapolis, then to Palo Alto, CA, and returned to Minneapolis prior to retiring on the Iron Range. David was employed by Veritas/Symantec as an IT Security Supervisor. He enjoyed fishing, cabin life, playing and listening to music, muscle cars, and was an avid Minnesota sports fan. Most recently he found joy in watching his grandson Max grow. He will be remembered for his love of family, his amazing sense of humor, and his storytelling. David is survived by his son: Kyle (Elena) Aho of Richfield; grandson: Maxwell Aho; siblings: Dan Aho of Angora, Sheryl (Kim) Kochevar of Virginia, and Sheila (Deron) Davidson of Virginia; nieces and nephews: Jacob (Paige) Rosandich of Virginia, Amanda Rosandich of Virginia, Chase (Megan) Aho of Ft. Worth, TX, Hannah (Sam) Davidson-Teff of Virginia, Sarah Davidson of Minneapolis, and Bekah Davidson of Buffalo, NY; multiple grandnieces and grandnephews; and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and Kyle's mom: Diane Vack. The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 17, 2024, at Gethsemane Evangelical Lutheran Church in Virginia. Pastor Mark Holman will officiate. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place in the family plot in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. Condolences: baumanfuneralhome.com
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- Published on 06/14/2024
Janice Ann Ayotte
Ayotte, Janice Ann 87, died Friday, June 7, at her home in Hopkins, MN. Jan was born October 15, 1936, in Hibbing Minnesota to Lester and Margaret McComber. She is survived by her children, Amy (Grant) Kromminga, Mindy (Jimmy) Nelson, Sally (Jeff) Sjogren, Peggy (Tom) Gerdes, grandchildren: Kelsey, Kyle, Natalie, Joe, Lauren, Luc and Jake, and eleven great-grandchildren: Riley, Oliver, Bella, Aubree, Brooks, Blake, Henry, Jack, Gracie, Adalyn and Jaxson. Jan was preceded in death by her husband Don Ayotte "Donny" "Babe", her parents, brothers Jimmy, Jackie and Jerry, her sister JoAnn and her grandson Mitchell. Jan, Mom, Grandma, Auntie Toots was a lover of life, her family and especially her grandchildren. She loved her days as a librarian at Kennedy High School, her retirement on Longlake in Longville and taking long Harley rides with Donny. Church was her foundation with a deep hope and faith for all those who surrounded her life. She will be remembered for her cheerful disposition and her sunny smile There will be a private celebration of her life on June 25 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Hopkins.
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- Published on 06/14/2024
Paul Carnahan
Carnahan, Paul of South Minneapolis, passed away on June 7, 2024, at the age of 73. Though his name may not be immediately recognizable to all, Paul's distinctive handlebar mustache was a familiar sight to those that frequented the streets of South Minneapolis. Whether he was exploring new construction sites or strolling along the banks of the Mississippi he enjoyed exploring the city he loved. Paul dedicated over 30 years of his life to MinneGasco, where he built a reputation for his hard work. Paul cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen and children, Russell (Heather) and Amanda (Fernando). His grandson Evan held a special place in his heart. In addition to his immediate family, Paul leaves behind his sister Diane, as well as a wide circle of friends and family who will fondly remember his kindness and generosity. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.
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Aaron David French
French, Aaron David 49, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, passed away on June 4, 2024. He was born on November 22, 1974, in Detroit, Michigan. Aaron was a loving father; he had a sense of adventure and many walks through the woods with his children were taken. He had a passion for playing basketball and football with the boys as well. His sense of humor was unique, and his laughter was hearty and contagious, bringing smiles to those around him. His nature was kind and sweet. He is survived by his mother, Denise, stepfather Joe, grandmother Margaret, uncle Paul, nephew Nick, and niece Kristian, wife Michelle, the mother of his children Katie, his children Aspen, Austin. Along with his son Carter, step children of Katie's, Tatum and Taylor along with his stepchildren with Michielle, Mariah, Eddie and Rashawn. He was preceded in death by his father, David Ross French and brother Winston Troy Porter I. Aaron had a successful educational journey, attending Jefferson High School, furthering his education at Normandale Community School and The Art Institute International Culinary School of Minnesota. He proudly served in the United States Army Infantry for 3 years. A military ceremony will be held in honor of Aaron's service in the US Army Infantry. He will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling on August 2, 2024, at 11:15 am. The funeral home assisting with the arrangements is Crescent Tide, Mpls, MN.
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- Published on 06/14/2024
Carole B. Kosik
Kosik, Carole B. of Richfield died March 5, 2024 at the age of 88. A celebration of Life will be held on June 22 at Gramercy Park Cooperative, 6711 Lake Shore Dr., from 11am to 2pm for family and friends. A light lunch will be served. Memorials may be sent to the donors choice or Hold Your Horses, a group that offers mental health therapy for children and adults with the help of horses. 5265 Woodland Trail, Green Field, MN, 55357
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Robert 'Bob' Stech, Sr.
Stech, Robert "Bob" Sr. age 74, of Bloomington, MN, passed away suddenly on June 11, 2024. Robert Joseph was born on March 8, 1950, in Moorhead, MN, the son of Joseph and Cecilia (Dow) Stech. Growing up, he spent many memorable summers on the farm with his grandparents. He graduated from Owatonna High School with the class of 1968. Bob married Annette Braun on February 23, 1974. Bob worked for FMC / NOD, Champion Air, and finished his career as president of TegraSeal. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. Bob enjoyed his woodworking and stained-glass projects, collecting coins, assembling LEGO sets, and camping. He is survived by his wife, Annette Stech; children, Robert Stech Jr., and Amy Stech; grandson, Aidan Stech; siblings Marianne Mauer, Jeanne (David) Buecksler, Jerry (Marcia) Stech; siblings-in-law Jan Mallberg, Teresa (Dale) Jackson, Bob (Laurie) Braun, Paul (Shawnda) Braun, Pete (Donna) Braun, and Laurel Braun; innumerable nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers-in-law. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Visitation will be held on Friday from 9:30 - 11:00 am at the church. ParkerKohlFH.com 507-334-4458
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- Published on 06/14/2024
Roman Joseph Verostko
On June 1, 2024, digital art pioneer, educator, and humanist Roman Verostko died at his home in Minneapolis. Professor emeritus at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) and co-founder of the Algorist Group, Verostko is remembered as a key protagonist in the use of early computers to create works of art. A Minnesota resident since 1968, Verostko was an active leader within the Twin Cities arts community.
In accordance with Verostko's wishes, a private interment will occur alongside the remains of the artist's late spouse, Alice Wagstaff Verostko (1919 - 2009). Family, friends, colleagues, and students are invited to a memorial service on Sunday, Aug. 11 from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Minneapolis College of Art and Design, 2501 Stevens Avenue Minneapolis, Minnesota. An additional service at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania will occur on Friday, Sept. 13 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Verostko Center for the Arts.
Verostko, 94, is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Verostko, and his siblings, Theresa Leshko, John, George, Bernard, William, Charles, and Andrew Verostko.
Joseph Verostko was born in the coal mining town of Tarrs, Pennsylvania on Sept. 12, 1929. Demonstrating an early interest in art, Verostko was schooled as an illustrator at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh before pursuing monastic life at Saint Vincent Archabbey, entering the monastery on his 21st birthday in 1950 and accepting the name of Roman. Verostko would earn degrees from Saint Vincent College and Seminary before his ordination to the priesthood in 1959. A year later, he was sent to New York to pursue advanced study in art history and studio practice at New York University and Columbia University before earning a Master of Fine Arts degree from Pratt Institute in 1961. Later, he was appointed as the editor of The New Catholic Encyclopedia's sections on Art and Architecture (McGraw Hill, 1967). Verostko was responsible for articulating visual styles and ideas from cultures ancient through modern to an American Catholic readership.
Verostko left monastic life and married Alice Wagstaff, a child psychologist and university professor, on Aug. 11, 1968. The two relocated to Minneapolis, where Verostko assumed a post on the humanities faculty at Minneapolis School of Art (now Minneapolis College of Art and Design). While at MCAD, Verostko served in several capacities including academic dean (1975 - 1978), chairperson of Liberal Arts (1988 - 1991), and eventually professor emeritus in 1994.
In 1970, following an introduction to programming language at the Control Data Institute in Minneapolis and a summer at MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies in Boston, Verostko encountered the expanding leverage of algorithms executed with computers. Within a decade, he converted his studio into an "electronic scriptorium" with computers and drawing machines known as "pen plotters." For Verostko, the computer served as a pathway to new frontiers of form. He would later master the experimental process of writing computer code for creative purposes - a method of making that occupied his studio practice for decades.
Verostko's travels to China, first in 1982 and again in a teaching capacity in 1985 and 1998, had a remarkable influence on his development as an artist. Through a lecture tour hosted by universities throughout the country, he introduced 20th century Western art to groups of young Chinese artists eager to expand their understanding of different aesthetic traditions.
Perennially interested in semiotics, philosophy, and cross-cultural exchange, Verostko's work exists at the nexus of creativity and technological innovation.
Over the course of his career, Verostko's work has appeared in over a hundred exhibitions nationally and internationally; most recently in the exhibitions "Chance and Control: Art in the Age of Computers" at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, and "Coder le monde" at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. He authored 22 published articles on subjects ranging from a 1964 paper on abstract liturgical art to his 1988 paper, "Epigenetic Painting: Software As Genotype," delivered in Utrecht at the First International Symposium on Electronic Art identifying the biological analogues to generative art. His work is represented in numerous public and private collections, including the Minneapolis Institute of Art; Tokyo's Tama Art University Museum; the Victoria and Albert Museum in London; and the ZKM: Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany. He received significant recognition from organizations that have supported the development of digital art, including a 1993 Honorary Mention for the Prix Ars Electronica; a 1994 Golden Plotter first prize (Gladbeck, Germany); a Recommendatory Prize from ARTEC'95 in Nagoya, Japan; a 2009 SIGGRAPH Distinguished Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement; and induction into the inaugural class of the SIGGRAPH Academy in 2018.
On Nov. 17, 2021, Saint Vincent College formally dedicated the Verostko Center for the Arts. Located inside the Dale P. Latimer Library, the state-of-the-art facility features 5,000 square feet of exhibition space, a video presentation room, administrative offices, and climate-controlled storage for Saint Vincent's collection of art, rare books, and the College's archive. As part of the Center's dedication festivities, Saint Vincent conferred upon Verostko an honorary doctorate of humane letters for his indelible impact within the field of generative art. Dedicated to featuring artwork that investigates intersecting academic disciplines, the Center stands as an enduring testament to Verostko's lifelong work of revealing the existent power when fields of inquiry converge. Additionally, the Verostko Center is home to the artist's personal archive - an extensive repository of materials available for scholarship and curatorial projects.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Roman and Alice Wagstaff Verostko Scholarship at MCAD or the Alice Wagstaff and Roman Verostko Legacy Fund at Saint Vincent College in support of interdisciplinary arts programs on campus.
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- Published on 06/15/2024
