Hopkins - Meri Jo Paschke, 28, died Monday, September 7, 1998 at the Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, September 12 at 2 p.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Thief River Falls with Father Dennis Wieland officiating. Gayle Gulbrandson was the organist, and Roxanne St. Pierre was the soloist. Casketbearers were Terry Bayne, Rodney Jones, Michael Selnes, Spencer Selnes, Scott Telle and Greg Vanyo. Honorary casketbearers were all of Meri Jo's cousins. Burial was in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Thief River Falls. The Green Funeral Home of Thief River Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Meri Jo Paschke was born at Baudette on December 26, 1969 to Stan and Emmy (Vanyo) Paschke. She was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. She attended grade school in Scranton, ND and high school in Ellendale, ND. While in high school she was in many activities, including the drill team, band and cheerleading. After graduating in 1988, Meri attended Northwest Technical College in Thief River Falls for two years before transferring to the University of North Dakota. She graduated with honors from UND in December of 1992, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and as a Media Specialist.
Following graduation she accepted a position as an elementary librarian in Langdon, ND. In the fall of 1993, Meri became the media specialist at Franklin Middle School in Thief River Falls. She worked there for five years before accepting a position with the Wayzata School District this fall.
Meri Jo took pride in her work and was involved in many programs to help expand her knowledge of teaching. She worked as a graduation rule assessment specialist, served on the Building Leadership Team at Franklin Middle School and made several presentations on performance packages and accelerated reading programs. Her enthusiasm for her work exposed her students to a number of skills. Meri Jo's creativity added a personal touch to projects.
She enjoyed reading, reflecting, music, painting, plants, spending time with family and friends, her work and most of all, her students.
Meri Jo is survived by her parents, Stan and Emmy Paschke of Williams; one sister, Tammy (Dwight) Klebe of Forks, WA; a niece and nephew; her grandmother, Emma Vanyo of Tabor; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, George Vanyo and Al and Isabelle Paschke; and an uncle and aunt.