I took my two daughters to the Washington County Library in Woodbury April 14. While we were there, the snack stand was close by, so I decided to get the girls some ice cream. After the woman had served us, I reached for my wallet and … oh-oh, no wallet. Awkward.
I told the woman that I would have my wife bring it over shortly. While I was on the phone with my wife, a nice guy standing behind me buying ice cream for his daughter said, “Don’t make your wife drive over, I’ll buy it for you.” It was former Minnesota Wild star Wes Walz.
It was bit of an embarrassing moment for me, but what a wonderful gesture. I look forward to paying it forward. I always liked Wes when he played for the Wild, but I like him even better now. He bought us ice cream! Thanks again, Wes.
Tom Fitzgerald, Woodbury
For a musician, a selfless gift of music
SAINTED
On April 18 at Boutwell’s Landing in Oak Park Heights, the Vallee de Croix Sweet Adeline Chorus of Stillwater went the extra mile for a distressed soul. They sang for hospice patient Elesieve “Jonni” Krenz.
Jonni spent the last nine and a half years in Boutwell’s memory care unit. However, all of her active life had been devoted to music, first as an eager choir member in church and high school and later as a professional singer and musician. She toured the country, performed regularly in the Twin Cities and, after retiring in Arizona, directed a senior citizens band and formed a ladies barbershop quartet.
Even after Jonni took up residence in the memory care unit, she was known throughout Boutwell’s Landing for her smile, lovely voice and yodeling.
Because of her musical life, when I heard music from the auditorium in the complex, I approached the director, Derek Glenna, to ask if it would be possible to arrange for a quartet to come and sing one or two songs for Jonni, despite her apparent coma state.
Twenty minutes later, not only did the Vine Quartet arrive, but also the entire 36-member chorus packed into the common room of the memory care unit to sing four songs, the final one being “The Irish Blessing.”
After their performance, the entire chorus took time to share well wishes and hugs with the family. After the departure of the main chorus, the Vine Quartet stood at the bedside to sing two more songs for Jonni.
It is important to note that the music of these wonderful people caused Jonni to display the first signs of responsiveness in seven days.
These days, it is special to find a few individuals to go out of their way for a distressed soul. To have so many people interrupt their plans late on a Tuesday night was nothing short of amazing. Jonni’s family wants to thank each and every singer for the selfless gift they gave Jonni in her last hours.
Teri Verbeet, Bodfish, Calif.
SAINTED
I was taking my 6- and 3-year-old daughters and a 6-year-old friend to see the movie, “Hop,” a couple of weeks ago. We arrived at the White Bear Township theater just a few minutes before the show was to start, and there was a long line because only one register was open.
I commented to the girls that we might miss the beginning of the movie, and they were getting worried. I asked the woman ahead of me if they were taking credit cards, because I couldn’t get to the ATM. They opened another register and I ended up behind the woman I was talking to. I had my card out, ready to buy my tickets, as she was signing her slip, when she turned around and handed me four tickets to “Hop” and said, “These are for you. Have fun!” and walked away.
I asked her why, and she just smiled and told us to have a good time. Wow! At $6.75 each, a movie is not cheap. Maybe she thought I was a little frazzled with the three girls but, whatever the reason, she really made our day. Thank you. Your generosity will be passed along.
Sarah Fuhrman, White Bear Lake
SAINTED
Our recent trip to Cancun had an interesting start at the airport prior to our flight. A family friend had driven us to the airport in his SUV. After unloading our luggage from the rear of the vehicle, our friend went to close the rear hatch and inadvertently clobbered me on the top of my head, opening a 5-inch gash, which bled profusely.
Fortunately, we still had two hours until our flight departure. A call by the paramedics to United Hospital revealed that the ER would be able to get me right in. Our friend, who understandably felt terrible about the situation, drove us to United, where we received excellent care given our time constraint. We were in/out of the ER in 45 minutes with 13 staples in my head. We returned to the airport and, with courteous help from Delta Airlines, arrived at our gate in time to board our flight. Many thanks to the paramedics, United ER staff and Delta Airlines, (a triple-play sainted experience).
It turned out to be a great vacation with an interesting story to tell.
Joe Engstrom, North St. Paul
SAINTED
A big thank you to the man who is the crossing guard at Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion Elementary School (Crestview Elementary) in Cottage Grove. He’s been helping our children at the 80th and Hinton crossing for a number of years.
Rain or snow, warm or cold, he’s out there every morning and afternoon. I don’t know if he’s paid staff or a volunteer, but for the time he puts in I hope he gets paid. My children are long past elementary school, but I’m thankful we have a person like him who takes seriously the job of making our children’s trip to and from school safer. Kudos to a truly wonderful man.
John Sipe, Cottage Grove
SAINTED
I am partially disabled and need to use a cane and wheelchair to cover any distance. In March, my husband and I went on vacation to Florida. This would not have been possible without the tender, loving care I received from the Delta employees at the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Miami airports.
They were right there to assist me with a wheelchair, taking care of my baggage and wheeled me right up to the airplane entrance. Thank you, Delta employees.
M. Goblisch, West St. Paul
SAINTED
Our heartfelt thank you to the good Samaritan-Minnesotan who wisely called 911 when she witnessed our elderly mother fall on March 28 near Annapolis and Cherokee Avenue. Thanks to you, a very careful ambulance crew followed proper precautions as we later learned she suffered a break to her neck. We have not been able to identify the caller, but we want to thank her and also acknowledge all of the caring people who look out for the elderly and needy.
Mark and Marsha Huber, St. Paul
SAINTED
I would like to say a huge thank you to Tonya, Tina and the rest of the staff at Kids Hair in Woodbury. My daughter, Julia, has special needs, and haircuts can be a real challenge for her. Tonya and Tina are great with her, and Julia always ends up with a great-looking haircut. Thanks so much, ladies. I don’t know what I would do without you!
Danielle Koller, Stillwater
SAINTED
Thank you to the three people who helped my son and I at the exit ramp at Shepard Road and I-35E in St. Paul on March 23 during the spring snowstorm. We are so grateful for the 911 call from the gentleman I had flagged down who ran to our rescue and to the two ladies who helped administer first aid and a sense of calmness to a very panicked mother. Our son is OK — and healing — but we won’t forget your kindness in offering your help.
Betty Butler, Mendota Heights
SAINTED
On April 11, I was at the Target in Oakdale doing some shopping for my great-grandson for Easter. As I was leaving the store, a gust of wind took the bag with the Easter items out of my cart. I walk with a cane, and I certainly chased it.
I hollered, “Help,” and a young gal chased it down for me.
I never thought to get her name, but she retrieved the bag, which went quite a ways. Thanks didn’t seem enough. Hope she reads this and knows how much I appreciated her chase.
Dolores Skog, White Bear Lake
SAINTED
Thanks to the wonderful gentleman at the Maplewood City Hall on April 12 who generously paid for our address changes on driver’s license and ID cards. I thought they would be free (silly me), and I failed to bring any money.
We were told we would have to come back with the money before we would be issued new cards.
When this gentleman heard this, he said he would not want to see his 89-year-old mother have to come back, so he generously paid the fees for us. We plan on reciprocating when the opportunity arises.
Wayne Dirksen, Maplewood
SAINTED
I want to saint the Roseville Police Department and especially Officer Alan Stefani and the mother and daughter whose name I didn’t get. The transmission in my truck blew out and left me stranded in the middle of Lexington Avenue.
Thanks to the above-mentioned people for letting me use their cell phone and to Officer Stefani, who got me out of harm’s way.
John Dyson, Roseville
SAINTED
Sainted to Greg in a dark green truck who saw me at Target in West Paul April 19, trying to put four deck chairs in the back of my green bug.
He stopped and said you’re never gonna get them in, and he was right. He offered to put them in his truck and follow me home. It made my day. Thanks again for being so kind. It will go forward.
Susan Wondra, West St. Paul
SAINTED
We were at the Shoreview Community Center on April 16 for my niece’s first birthday party. When it was time to leave, her mother went to pay for the pool wristbands for all the children. A very kind lady in line behind her heard her total and was horrified. She said that she had several guest passes that she never uses and offered them.
That was very kind of you and very much appreciated. Everyone knows birthday parties are very expensive, and your kindness was a big help. Thanks again.
J. Rouse, Forest Lake
SAINTED
My daughter, Melissa, coaches fast-pitch softball for Spring Lake Park Schools. The bus ride to the ballgame April 19 could have been tragically memorable had it not been for the driver in the car behind the bus who persisted in honking his horn.
You were able to let the bus driver know that one of the back wheels had flames shooting out of it. Thanks to your warning, Melissa and the bus driver were able to get the girls calmly off the bus, without so much as a scratch. Thank you. You are an angel.
Susan Stradtmann, West St. Paul
