Lois Glewwe, South St. Paul historian with ‘a never-ending curiosity,’ dies at 72

Maraya King, Pioneer Press
·3 min read

Lois Anne Glewwe wore many hats throughout her lifetime, but above all–she was a storyteller.

A South St. Paul historian and author, Glewwe died unexpectedly in her home on Feb. 16, about a week shy of her 73rd birthday.

“She was a force,” said Glewwe’s niece, LouAnn Goossens. “She became the fixture of South St. Paul because she knew all the stories.”

Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, said Glewwe acted as a teacher for the community and had a never-ending curiosity. “She is an icon in the community and I am still in shock that she is gone,” he said. “I think she’ll be remembered as an integral part of our community. … It’s hard to quantify her impact.”

Over the course of nearly 40 years, Glewwe left few stones unturned in the St. Paul area, serving as a city council member for South St. Paul, communications director for the St. Paul Winter Carnival, executive director for Burnsville Area Society for the Arts, executive director for the Dakota County Historical Society and writing books, blogs and columns about the area’s history.

“Any question we had relating to history – South St. Paul or further – we would reach out to [Glewwe] and she would get us an answer,” said current executive director for the Dakota County Historical Society, Matthew Carter. “Throughout the organization’s history, she’s been a key person.”

Studied art in India

After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1972 with a degree in Art History, Glewwe moved to Philadelphia to receive a master’s degree in Southeast Asian Studies and Indian Art. From there, she moved to New Delhi, India, where she studied Indian Art, Sanskrit and Hindi.

Despite being the author of numerous books relating to Minnesota’s history, Goossens said there was a time when Glewwe laughed at the idea of returning to the state.

In the mid-80s, Glewwe did return to South St. Paul to take care of her ailing parents, said Goossens. While she was back in town, she was hired for a job that began her unbridled fascination with the city’s history.

Glewwe was hired to plan and coordinate the city’s centennial celebration in 1987. Instead of hosting one big party, Goossens said they held events during each month of the entire year.

Following the celebration, Glewwe and the South St. Paul Chapter of the Dakota County Historical Society published 5,000 copies of “South St. Paul Centennial, 1887-1987.”

She would go on to write several more books including “West St. Paul Centennial, 1889-1989,” “The History of Inver Grove Heights: Minnesota’s Treasure,” “The Glewwe Family History” and, most recently, “South St. Paul: A Brief History” in 2015, which has been described by readers as “a page-turner” and “a must-read” for anyone from the area.

“Those of us in elected office need to look at a suitable memorial for her and make the history that she compiled living,” Hansen said, “to keep that teaching, sharing and learning ongoing for the community.”

In addition to her love of history, Glewwe was passionate about gardening, chairing the South St. Paul Garden Club, and her five cats.

Goossens said Glewwe specified in her will that all of her cats were to go to Animal Ark, a no-kill shelter, and donated funds to ensure the cats would be adopted as a group.

“She was a great woman and we are going to miss her dearly,” said her nephew, Kelton Glewwe.

Glewwe is preceded in death by her parents, Reuben and Ethel Glewwe, and her brother, Rollin. She is survived by her sister Elva (Gerald) Miller, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The memorial service for Glewwe will be 11 a.m. Feb. 28 at First Presbyterian Church of South St. Paul, located at 535 N. 20th Avenue.

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