Kelly Patrick Waxler, 50, died Dec. 22, 2021. He had been privately battling serious health issues, but his early death was unexpected.
Kelly was born Sept. 25, 1971, in St. Paul to Della Waxler (née Alm) and Ken Waxler. He grew up in Falcon Heights and St. Paul. As a young man, Kelly was kind, curious and smart—traits he passed along to his son Sebastian. He attended Central High School in St. Paul.
Kelly loved computers and was drawn to a career in technology. He attended the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University in computer science. He excelled in his career as a release engineer and most recently as a DevOps engineer.
In addition to being talented at the technical aspects of his job, his colleagues have shared that he was always willing to help solve any problems, contributed great ideas and was a pleasure to work with.
In 2006, Kelly and Jodi Hanson were married in Fargo, N.D. They welcomed their son Sebastian into their lives in 2012.
Kelly was an incredibly supportive, patient and loving dad. Together they spent hours playing games, building Lego sets, reading, watching movies, attending car shows and enjoying anything Star Wars. Kelly was the biggest cheerleader at Sebastian’s football, basketball and soccer games. He was also a Cub Scout den leader. The connection they had was cherished by both.
Kelly was predeceased by grandparents Milton and Charlotte Alm and Frank and Alice Waxler. He will be deeply missed by Jodi, Sebastian, mother Della (Robin) Linse, father Ken Waxler (Marian Kittel), mother- and father-in-law Renae and Monte Hanson, sister-in-law Jacki (Jake) Kruse, step-sisters Michelle Dalbec and Angela Linse and Brighid Lannon; and adoring pup, Suki.
A memorial service was held Jan. 6 at Nativity Lutheran Church, St. Anthony Village. Jodi and Sebastian have created a fund to be distributed in Kelly’s honor to charities and organizations he loved. Donations can be sent to Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 2901 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, 55418.
