Bliss was born on December 1, 1979 to Stephen and the late Deborah Petron. Born Eden Elizabeth Petron, her sister, just 2-1/2 years old, pronounced her name “Elizabliss” and fittingly, it stuck. Bliss perfectly embodied bliss and joy. From birth, Bliss loved the outdoors. She loved playing in the dirt her whole life as was evident by her passion for gardening and canning. She was an avid morel mushroom hunter and her prowess left no mushroom unpicked within her range of sight. Bliss loved nature and all living things. She never met a body of water, from a bathtub to the ocean, that she didn’t love to swim or simply float in.

Bliss attended school at New Ulm Cathedral, graduating in 1998. She continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Minnesota, Mankato and graduating from Sister Rosalind School of Massage Therapy. She has been healing people with her touch ever since, and took every opportunity, even in the last months of her life, to further study her craft. She even traveled to China to study Ashiatsu massage techniques which involves massaging with her feet.

On September 10, 2011,, Bliss was wed to Joshua Kalk of New Ulm. In 2012, Josh, “Hubbins” Kalk and Bliss were blessed with a baby girl Eleanor Deborah Kalk. On July 7, 2014, their family was completed with the birth of their son, Lincoln Joshua-Harold Kalk. Bliss was a beloved wife, sister, daughter and doting mother to her two children. Her smile lit up a room, her laughter was infectious, and her children soaked up her warmth, spirit, and earthy wisdom. They are already reminding us: “mama always said, a little dirt never hurt no one.”

Bliss loved the sun. She owned and operated Sol Massage and like the sun, she generated light, and life that thoroughly warmed you. As a massage therapist, Bliss always talked about the importance of presence and touch and often lamented screen culture. She believed in the healing power of physical touch. She gave such amazing hugs that you just had to tell other people about them when you got home.

Bliss permeated love and joy in all things and her heart was unrivaled in both size and courage. Her courage was a constant inspiration to anyone who knew her. Even following her diagnosis, Bliss often spoke of being “Blissed” [blessed] with love from so many people in her community. Her selflessness was legendary. Her mission was to help others in everything she did. Her children and family were her entire world, and her joy and love were always on full display.

Bliss touched countless people; emotionally, physically, and spiritually. She made everyone she met a little happier and a little better. A smile perpetually stretched across her face, and drew you in, making you feel like you were the only person in the world when she talked to you. Bliss was a free, adventurous, and often playfully mischievous soul. Her spirit could not be tethered to this earth and now, finally, she flies. We were all Blissed by her presence.

Bliss is preceded in death by her mother Deborah Petron and her grandparents Jerome and Marcella Petron, Frank Vochko, Mary Vochko, and Ann Vochko. She is survived by her husband Joshua Kalk of New Ulm; their beloved children Ella (7) and Lincoln (5); her father Dr. Stephen Petron of Ignace, Canada; her sister Catie Bushard and brother-in-law Beau Bushard of New Ulm; her mother- and father-in-law Lynnda and Ernie Kalk of New Ulm; her brothers-in-law Jay Kalk and his spouse Christa Kalk of Golden Valley, and Dan and Char Kalk of New Ulm; her Godparents Molly Vochko Silas and Curt Sauer, her niece and nephews Vincent Brown, Caleigh Heck, Codey Heck, and Cayden Heck; many cousins, aunts and uncles and incalculable friends.

It is the family’s wishes that in lieu of flowers, monetary donations or gifts be made which will go towards Eleanor and Lincoln’s education scholarship fund.

A celebration of Bliss’s life will be held at the New Ulm Event Center on Sunday December 8, from 2 TO 6 p.m. Please help us celebrate her vibrant life by wearing clothes as bright and free flowing as she was.

The funeral will be held at St. Paul’s church on Monday December 9; at 11 a.m. with final visitation beginning at 10 a.m. with luncheon and storytelling to follow at the New Ulm Event Center.

To leave an online condolence for her family or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org.

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