Meridel Hedblom

Meridel (McCarthy) Hedblom, 91, devoted wife, loving mom, caring grandma, and adoring daughter, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2024. Meridel was born January 13, 1933, to Adell and Ralph McCarthy in South St. Paul, Minnesota. She was a member of Job's Daughters, of which she was an Honored Queen. She graduated from Macalester College in 1955 with a B.S. in Elementary Education; and more importantly, she met her husband, Paul. They were married December 28, 1955, in a snowstorm, proving they could persevere through the curves life would throw at them. They settled in Hopkins and had four sons: raising three boys after the tragic drowning of their son, David, at age 4. Meridel and Paul were long-time members of Mizpah Congregational Church in Hopkins, where Meridel played the organ and they both sang in the choir. Meridel was a devoted (fierce) and supportive mom, who spent countless hours transporting the boys and their teammates to and from numerous sports practices and games; whether it was sitting at a cold hockey rink, standing in a snowbank to watch an outdoor game, sitting through a cool fall evening football game or in the heat of a summer baseball game, she always stayed and cheered until the end. She taught elementary school in South St. Paul and Hopkins and then became a substitute teacher while the boys were young. She then worked at Minnesota Suburban Newspapers in legal publications until retiring in her 70's.
She is profoundly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends who are grateful she touched our lives in so many ways. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved son, David; and brother, Charles McCarthy of DePere, WI. She is missed by her husband of 68 years, Paul; sons, Jon (Annika) of Payrin-Augmontel, France; Eric (Lynnette) of Roseville; and Christopher (Becky) of Duluth; nine grandchildren, Taylor, Brett, Cameron, Heidi, Alexis, Ashli, Jeremiah, Kyle, and Conor; and two great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and Brooqlyn; as well as many cousins, family and friends.
Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 20, at 11 AM at Washburn-McReavy Hopkins Chapel. Visitation one hour prior. Interment at 2 PM at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights alongside her parents and her son, David.
Special thanks to the memory care staff at The Preserve of Roseville and Hospice of the Midwest. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Brain Foundation.