Jeffrey Gordon Redalen

Jeffrey Gordon Redalen (Jeff) passed away at his home near Fountain, Minnesota on Sunday, November 24, 2024. 

Jeff was born November 14, 1956, in Lanesboro, MN, to Joyce (Grindland) and Elton Redalen. He was the sixth of seven children, and the youngest boy of the family. Elton and Joyce raised their family on a dairy farm in rural Fountain, where Jeff grew up surrounded by cousins, hunting, fishing, farming, engines, classic rock, and mischief. He graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1975, and upon graduation, Jeff hitchhiked to California twice, where his jack-of-all-trades gift sprang forth. He drew from a wellspring of farm-boy courage and work ethic to trim very tall trees in Long Beach. Upon his return home, he met Michelle Drury, a close friend of his first cousin, at the Fountain Drive Inn. Jeff and Michelle married in March of 1980 and went on to welcome three children together.

Jeff farmed on a fifth generation farm that the family has owned since their 1850s arrival from Norway. He was also employed by Wykoff Cooperative, Valley Ag Center, Drury's Furniture, Root River Ag Services and Carrolton Township. He served on the Board of Directors of Tri-County Electric, the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, the Dairyland Power Cooperative and MiEnergy Cooperative. 

Jeff devoted much of his life to service as 4-H Club Leader, Fillmore County beef and horse show volunteer, Minnesota State 4-H beef show volunteer, Alcoholics Anonymous Sponsor, and Root Prairie Lutheran Church Council member. He had numerous pastimes including caring for livestock, acoustic and electric guitar, singing, carpentry, masonry, small engine repair, chainsaw sharpening, restoring classic trucks and farm implements, deer and coon hunting, fishing, and leatherworking. 

In 2008, and again in 2012, Jeff was diagnosed with aggressive cancer, which he beat both times. Jeff's life post-cancer was challenging and life-altering, but in this period he was able to meet and know his five grandchildren. He continued to carry on a full life.

Jeff Redalen lived a life characterized by creativity, faith, fearlessness, kindness, acceptance, extreme accidents, and physical and mental strength. Jeff was thankful to God for all his blessings, and he loved and cared for his family.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Michelle, his children, Justin (Kristina) of Fountain, MN; Chelsie (Chandler) of Shady Side, MD; Katelin (Devin) of Fountain, MN; brothers, Gary and Donald of Fountain, MN; and sister, Jane, of Chatfield, MN. He is also survived by grandchildren Gordon, Theodore, Evelyn, India, and Isabella. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, his sister, Sharon, and brothers, Craig and Steven.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 at Root Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Fountain at 2:00 p.m. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 5-7:30 p.m. at Hoff Funeral Home in Chatfield and again from 1-2:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorial contributions should be made to Root Prairie Cemetery Fund in his name (mailing address: Root Prairie Cemetery Fund, c/o Chatfield Lutheran, 304 Fillmore Street SE, Chatfield, MN 55923).