Gales Svendsen

Gales passed away peacefully at home on February 5, 2026. She is survived by Neil, her devoted husband of 66 years, her loving daughters, Lee (Tim) McGrath and Kim (Jill Johnson) Minkel, her four grandchildren whom she nurtured with love and watched grow with great pride, Cole (Andee) Minkel, Morgan (Chris) Otterstetter, Ben (Raquel) Minkel, and Joe McGrath, and five great grandchildren, June, Callan, Caden, Matthew, and Esther. She is also survived by her brother, Michael (Kathie) Mackin, sister-in-law Jeanine Brudenell and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Lucille Mackin, her sisters Roberta and Dona, brother Patrick and son-in-law Eric Minkel.

In addition to her great love for family and friends, Gales will be remembered for her creative spirit; crafting, gardening, and planning special events for family and friends, as well as her sense of humor and lively personality.

We would like to thank the staff from Harbor Crossing Assisted Living and Brighton Hospice for their loving care.

Memorial Service at 5:30pm on Thursday, February 12, 2026 with visitation starting at 3:30pm at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Ave., White Bear Lake. 

Memorials preferred to Union Gospel Mission or UMN Landscape Arboretum.