Travis Lee Schluessler

Travis Lee Schluessler, age 21, of Red Wing, Minn., died suddenly on Saturday, June 28, 2003,in Hastings, Minn.

Travis was born Dec. 4, 1981, in Red Wing. He lived in Red Wing until moving to Spring Valley. He started kindergarten in Spring Valley and attended school there until his freshman year in high school. While in Spring Valley, he played football, baseball and basketball. He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid Viking football fan. Travis attended high school in Red Wing a couple of years, then completed his education at Fort McCoy. While at Fort McCoy, Travis earned the honor of platoon leader.

Travis had a big heart and was very loving. He was also independent and at age 13, while showing off his driving skills, ran over a newly planted tree at his aunt's house, which, of course, no one would admit to doing.

He is survived by his mother, Vicki (Chuck) Weber of Spring Valley; his father, Gary (Debbie) Schluessler of Spring Valley; a sister, Ashley Schluessler of Spring Valley; stepsisters and brothers, Candace Weber of Virginia, Tanya Vanasse of Eau Claire, Mark Vanasse of Spring Valley, Teresa Traun of Hudson, Tammy (Curt) Gregg of Spring Valley, and Tina Vanasse of Spring Valley; step-niece, Kiarha Weber of Virginia; grandparents, Orville and Sally Pierce of Spring Valley, Darline and Jim Thompson of Menomonie, and Fay Johnson of Cannon Falls, Minn.; great-grandparents, Blythe Pierce of Spring Valley and Lucile Shelstad of Red Wing; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were Tuesday, July 1, 2003, at Gilman Lutheran Church in Spring Valley with the Rev. Alice Hamm officiating. Special music was provided by Carole Lynum, organist, and Anita Gokey, vocalist. Cremation followed the service.

Pallbearers were Travis' cousins, Eric Margelofsky, Brandon Margelofsky, Derek Schluessler, Dustin Schluessler, Josh Wood and Jeremy Wood.

Keehr Funeral Home in Spring Valley handled arrangements.