Cornelia Bieza

Age 102, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2020. Cornelia was born on July 11, 1917 and was the first child of Cornelius Sittard, a newspaper editor and Margaret Milch Sittard, a musician. She grew up in St. Paul, attended St. Agnes grade school and St. Joseph’s Academy, graduating in 1935. She met her husband, Joseph Bieza, when they were both members of a church group. They were married in 1944 at St. Agnes Church, having eight children between 1946 and 1959. Connie encouraged the children to participate in piano, skating and swimming lessons and many other activities. She was a dedicated volunteer for most of her life and a Girl Scout leader for more than ten years. After growing up in a household that delighted in music in all its expressions, Connie performed in operas as a young adult and later became a member of several choirs and choral groups, notably the Twin Cities Catholic Chorale. She was an avid seamstress and enjoyed knitting until she was 100 years old, donating mittens and scarves to charities with the Marvelous Merry Mitten Makers as well as supplying all family members with knitted Christmas gifts. She planned countless family vacations and outings, usually a restful week at a lakeside cabin or a visit to a state or local park complete with picnic lunches. Most of all, Connie will be remembered for her devout faith, her never-ending loyalty, her patience, compassion and generous nature, always seeing the best in everyone and everything. Cornelia is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Herman and Paul and her husband Joseph. She is survived by her children: Clare (Edmund) Lee, Marie Anderson, Nicole Wallace, Rose (Gary) Larson, Margaret Bieza, Joseph (Gloria Deziel) Bieza, Veronica Churchill and Larry (Linda) Bieza. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Joe Lee, Colin (Crystal) Lee, Eileen (Rory) Parle, Anna (Andrew) Perez, Yuri and Alyssa Wallace, Derek Larson and Kristina (Aaron) Ahlstrom, Caitlin Wagner, Jason and Sarah Bieza, Brandon (Angela) Churchill and Lindsey (Allen) Trempe, and 10 great-grandchildren, Felix, Adrien, Nina, Effie, Tyler, Hunter, Mason, Austin, Alex and Arianna. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Monday, July 6 at the Church of St. Agnes, 535 Thomas Ave. W., St. Paul. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Memorials preferred to St. Agnes School. Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Monday, July 6 at the Church of St. Agnes, 535 Thomas Ave. W., St. Paul. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Visitation 4-7 PM Sunday at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul.