Author: EPLN Staff Reports

A pilot reported engine trouble and successfully landed a single-engine airplane in a field south of the corner of Flying Cloud Drive and Eden Prairie Road on Sunday morning. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. on July 2, according to an Eden Prairie Police Department spokesperson. The pilot, who was the only occupant on board, contacted Flying Cloud Airport about a mile south of the landing site to report the issue. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been notified and will investigate the matter. Further details regarding the cause of…

Attention singers! Mark your calendars for an upcoming event featuring local vocalists. The “Eden Prairie Sings! Amateur Vocal Competition” takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 19 at Purgatory Creek Park as part of the city’s Arts in the Park event. Arts in the Park is a full-day affair, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and it offers a wide array of unique crafts, artwork, food, and art activities. Eden Prairie Sings! is hosted by the Eden Prairie Optimist Club and the School of Rock in Eden Prairie in collaboration with the Eden Prairie Players. Singers between…

Steven Michael Dennis, 69, of Eden Prairie, passed away in a house fire on June 25. Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldine and Conway, his wife Susan, and his daughter Elizabeth. He is survived by his sister Judy Cihak, his children Rachel, Nicholas, and Zachary, and his adoring granddaughter Maggie. Memorials are preferred to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Special thanks go to Steve’s neighbors and the emergency workers of Eden Prairie for their efforts to help. Interment will be at Dawn Valley Cemetery in Bloomington. Services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Washburn-McReavy…

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…