Sylvia Ann Richardson

Sylvia Richardson, age 87, of North Mankato, died on Friday, January 31, 2025 at Norris Square Cottage Grove.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church with visitation at 10:00 am, prior to the service.  St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church – 920 Holley Ave #1, St. Paul Park, MN. A luncheon will follow the funeral service. Burial will take place at Fort Snelling at a later time.

                Sylvia was born on Feb. 8, 1937 in Blue Earth, Minnesota to Sylvester and Ottilia (Rausch) Burkel. She grew up in North Mankato, attending Holy Rosary Catholic School. Sylvia graduated from Good Counsel Academy in Mankato, MN.  On Dec. 29. 1956 she married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in North Mankato, Minnesota.  Frank and Sylvia lived in several states as Frank pursued a military Army career. 

Sylvia enjoyed gardening, crafting, baking, caring for her children and grandchild and housing many Mankato State graduate-degree students from around the world.

Sylvia is survived by five children: Michael and his wife Suzanne of Lakeville, MN; Thomas of Plymouth, MN; Sheryl and her husband Craig Walker of Omaha, NE, Joseph and his wife Carol of Andover, MN and Daniel and his wife Mikki of Newport, MN, 15 grandchildren: Megan, Sarah, Riley, Chris, Catie, Cameron, Jay, Hailie, Tess, Ruby, Frank, Shannon, Jessica, Nathan and Mitchell ; 18 great-grandchildren, a sister, Mary James and brother, Loren Burkel.  Also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews. 

Sylvia was preceded in death by her husband Frank in 2004, one brother, Ray and her parents.