Randolph M. "Randy" Giesen, age 76, of Eagan, died peacefully in the early morning of Friday, January 5th at the VA Hospice in Minneapolis following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Randy was born to Clarence and Clara (Neisen) Giesen and was raised in Union Hill, MN. Following graduation from New Prague High School, Randy was drafted to the Army and served courageously in the Vietnam War (1968). Upon his return home, he attended Dunwoody Institute and began a lifelong career in construction – eventually owning and operating his own business, Giesen Construction. He was an entrepreneur and enjoyed building and problem solving. In his "retirement", he took a hobby of sausage making and started Clara's Comfort Food selling German sausage, mustard and horseradish at local farmers markets and Co-ops.
As a child he dreamt of having a place just like he saw on the cover of his father's Field and Stream magazine. He made that dream a reality and his free time was spent up north at "The Shack" where he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and observing nature all around him. Throughout his life he was known to coordinate fishing and hunting trips with family and friends and was always on the chase for a new spot. He loved getting people together to celebrate for any reason, could tell a story like no other, and had a personality that made an impression when anybody met him.
Randy is survived by his wife, Marie of Eagan; children, Christin Giesen of Stillwater, Susan (Jon) Hartman of Arden Hills, Julia (Nathan) Prokopec of St. Paul, Matthew Giesen of Eagan, Melissa (Luke) Lyon of Savage; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jack, Frankie, Walter, Leona, Nathan and Zachary; siblings Bonnie (Dennis) Morris of Merrifield, Bev (Swanny) Zvanovec of New Prague, Lenore Krava of New Prague, Cynthi (Joe) Hrabe of Union Hill, Bernie (Dawn) Giesen of Montgomery, Pete (Beth) Giesen of Rochester. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Dick Krava.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2024 at 10 AM at St. John's Catholic Church in Union Hill (20087 Hub Dr., New Prague, MN) with Father Eugene Theisen officiating. Visitation will take place Tuesday from 4-7 PM and Wednesday morning from 7:30-9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home. Burial will occur at a later date but military honors will be conducted by the New Prague Area Veterans Honor Guard after Mass at church. Lunch will follow at the Prior Lake VFW (16306 Main Ave. SE, Prior Lake, MN)
