Author: EPLN Staff Reports

City employees ran three miles through Eden Prairie on Friday, June 23, carrying the Special Olympics Minnesota torch. According to a Tuesday post on the Eden Prairie Police Department blog, city staff received the torch from the Minnetonka Police Department and passed it on to two Special Olympics athletes in the parking lot of Eden Prairie Center mall. From there, it traveled to Stillwater Area High School, where the 2023 Special Olympics Summer Games were held last weekend. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is an annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics, aiming to raise funds to support athletes’ participation in…

Duane J. Perszyk, age 71, of Minneapolis, passed away with family at his side. He was preceded in death by his parents, Kathryn and Ed Perszyk, and sister, Mary Beth. Survived by his wife, Cyd Perszyk, children Aleyna Burevall (Pontus Wickbom Burevall), Ben Perszyk (McKenzie Phalen), and Sam Perszyk, and by his grandchildren, Anika and Phoenix Burevall, and by his brothers, David and John (Jennifer), and many nieces and nephews.  Du’s athletic prowess and zest for outdoor adventures were the foundation of his life. In high school, he held a state record in track, was captain of the football and…

PROP Food is calling on the generosity of Eden Prairie residents as it launches its “Open Your Heart” campaign in July. The initiative aims to address the pressing issue of food and financial insecurity faced by neighbors in need. According to a press release, many individuals contribute to PROP during July, recognizing the heightened demand for client services during the summer months. To amplify the impact of these donations, Hunger Solutions has pledged to match a portion of all gifts received by PROP, thanks to a grant awarded by Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless. The increased demand…

John Blair Standal, age 79, of Eden Prairie and Stuart, Florida, passed away on May 20, 2023. Born on June 12, 1943, in Minneapolis, John graduated from the University of Minnesota, served in the Navy ROTC, and enjoyed a long career as a commercial real estate broker and Christmas tree farmer on his hobby farm in Eden Prairie. John’s memory will be cherished by his wife of 50 years, Carol; daughter Katie; son Robert (Tracy); and his six grandchildren, Adison, Carter, Lauren, Jack, Brinkley, and Charlie; his siblings, Susan Schlesinger (Alan), Joan Fiore, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. John…

Taylor Swift fans eagerly boarded buses at SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie on Friday afternoon, embarking on a melodious adventure to witness their idol’s performance at U.S. Bank Stadium. SouthWest Transit is providing shuttle services for Swifties attending the two-night stop of the tour in Minneapolis. To accommodate the influx of fans, SouthWest Transit has increased its services, using a minimum of six buses each day from SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie and SouthWest Village in Chanhassen. On Saturday, the Swift concert begins at 6:30 p.m. with pickups at SouthWest Village at 4:40 p.m. and SouthWest Station at 4:50 p.m.,…

SouthWest Transit will provide transportation from SouthWest Station in Eden Prairie and SouthWest Village in Chanhassen to the Taylor Swift concerts at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday and Saturday nights. The ride is part of its “Concert Series” service offer throughout the summer and fall, available for a $5 round trip, according to a Tuesday press release. With Swift coming to town, SouthWest Transit will be amping up services, with a minimum of six buses used each day of the concert. The two Taylor Swift concerts will each begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at U.S. Bank…

Lura Lawrenz, age 86, of Shorewood, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 11, 2023, due to complications of dementia.  Lura was born in 1936 near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Fred and Anne Alexander, the fourth of six children. The family moved frequently, living in various places in Kansas and New York State. She attended the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, where she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Lawrenz. They married in 1958 and started their family in the Chicago area. They moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1966, raising three children, making…

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) is proud to announce that this is the 2,000th article published on its website, a testament to its commitment to community journalism. Since its establishment amid the COVID-19 pandemic on Sept. 25, 2020, EPLN has been dedicated to providing residents with non-biased, hyperlocal and nonpartisan news and information on Eden Prairie, including coverage of local elections. The first three articles, written by Brad Canham, EPLN’s inaugural editor, introduced three candidates running for the upcoming city council election, laying the foundation for the newspaper’s mission to keep the community well-informed. Last year, EPLN mailed a comprehensive…

Featuring up-and-coming young Twin Cities theater professionals, Emerging Professionals Ensemble (EPE) will present Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical “Rent” at the Performing Institute of Minnesota Arts High School (PiM Arts High) in Eden Prairie next month. Shows will be at 8 p.m. on July 20 to 22 and July 27 to 29 at the high school, 7255 Flying Cloud Drive. Tickets, which cost $25 for general admission, can be purchased here. Jonathan Larson’s musical, which made its Broadway debut in 1996 at the Nederlander Theatre, follows a year in the life of a group of young artists and musicians…

Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) is proud to periodically recognize Eden Prairie post-secondary students who are honored by the colleges and universities they attend. EPLN relies on schools to send us this information. If you don’t see your student’s school listed, please send your student’s name, the school’s name and location, award (e.g., dean’s list, graduation), year in school, and major, to editor@eplocalnews.org with the subject “On Campus.” Dean’s List Central College, Pella, Iowa Drew Edwards University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg, Kentucky Raj Patel Kutztown University, Kutztown, Pennsylvania Kirsten R Shaw Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Winnie Wallace Lydia Humphrey Morgan Ramsey Missouri…