Allan L. "Al" Roux

Allan "Al" L. Roux, age 87, of Lilydale, Minnesota (formerly of Eagan), passed away peacefully on February 20, 2025.

Al was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gloria; his brothers, Donald and Gary; nieces Susan and Renee; and his parents, Louis and Rose Roux.

He is survived by his daughter, Diane (Peter) Whebbe; sons, Michael (Linda) and John; grandchildren Jacob Roux, Michael (Morgan) Whebbe, Amanda (Ryan) Fuxa, Andreya Roux, Jenna (Andrew) Peterman, and Jessica (Nick) Garcia; great-grandchildren Vivian, Lucas, Olivia, Scarlett, and Evan; sister Janet Flodquist; brothers Wayne (Sandra) and Kenneth; brother-in-law Arvid Roen, sister-in-law Peggy Roen; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

The family would like to express heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caregivers and staff at Lilydale Senior Living for their dedicated care over the past 5 1/2 years, as well as to Molly Keeley, a cherished friend whose visits brought Al great joy. Al will be remembered for his firm handshake, warm hugs, and dry wit. He was a man of few words but great presence, and his Clint Eastwood-like mannerisms were endearing to all who knew him. Al was a tireless worker who instilled a strong work ethic in those around him.

Following his service in the U.S. Army, Al had a successful 32-year career at 3M. In retirement, he worked at a Christmas Tree farm alongside his son and grandsons, teaching, by example, the next generation about hard work and leadership. A true lover of the outdoors, Al enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, and canoeing. These were passions he passed down to his children and grandchildren. A skilled marksman, he was equally at home with a bow and arrow as he was with a rifle. As a fisherman, Al had many stories, including the unforgettable tale of catching a trophy rainbow trout with his bare hands through the ice. He was an avid participant in bi-annual fishing trips and fly-in trips that spanned four decades with close friends.

Al was always ahead of his time when it came to technology, eagerly adopting new gadgets from GPS systems to online banking. He was also known for his ability to fix just about anything-whether it was a household item, car, boat, or even a tractor. Al's hands were never idle, and he was a constant source of help to those around him.

As a husband, Al was devoted to Gloria, especially as she fought her battle with cancer. As a father, he provided discipline and unconditional love. He was a protector and mentor, and as an adult, he became a trusted friend to his children. Al's love for his grandchildren was unmatched. He enjoyed reading to them, often from his favorite book, the Cabela's catalog, and cherished every moment spent with them.

A true helper at heart, Al was always there for family, friends, and even strangers. He could often be found driving grandkids to school and activities, helping neighbors, offering rides to the airport (his version of "airport Uber"), or just lending a hand in times of need. Al was also known for his love of cookies, famously saying, "I never met a cookie I didn't like,". While Alzheimer's affected his ability to communicate, it brought him a new love for music. He maintained his strong handshake, his fondness for the outdoors, his love for children and cookies and his generosity of heart to the very end. Al leaves behind three generations who carry his name, "Allan": his son Michael, grandson Jacob, and great-grandson Evan. May they continue to carry forward the strength, wisdom, humor, and love that Al so graciously shared with all who knew him.

A memorial gathering to honor Al's life will be held at Klecatsky Eagan Funeral Home, 1580 Century Point Eagan, MN on Friday March 14, 2025 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Funeral Services will be at St. Joseph's Church, 111 W. Marshall St, Rice Lake, WI on Saturday March 15, 2025 at 11:00am with a visitation 1 hour prior and inurnment immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Alzheimer's Association in Al's memory.