Regina “Gina” Tupy
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On April 18, 2021 @ 2:01 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 22 Comments
Surrounded by loving family, Gina Tupy earned her wings, as she entered eternal peace on Sunday morning, April 18, 2021. Gina’s youthful spirit and deep love of faith will live on in all the lives she touched for many generations to come.
Holy Hour honoring Gina will be held on Tuesday, April 20 from 1-4, with the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 pm, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. A visitation will be on Wednesday, April 21, from 3-8 pm and on Thursday, April 22, from 9:30-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am, at St. Michael’s Church. Father Tom Walker will preside. Masks are required. Guests may also join via live streaming at stmichael-pl.org and click on the live stream tab. Gina will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to the Gina Tupy Legacy Foundation.
Regina Clare was born the eighth of nine children to Warren and Georgia (McNamer) Collins. She grew up in Kendall, WI on a small family farm. At a young age, Gina’s parents instilled in her a strong Catholic foundation and Irish heritage. They would be the pillars in her life.
While praying in a church, Gina saw Harry Tupy also praying. A conversation began and unbeknown to them, they would find a life filled with love, family, and faith. Gina and Harry were united in Holy Matrimony on June 6, 1964, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Kendall. The newlyweds settled down in Prior Lake and raised four high spirited sons, Craig, Garry, Brett and David.
Gina was first a wife and mother. As the kids grew, she then entered cosmetology school to help Harry run the Laker Barber Shop (later renamed The Hair Mate). Gina was a talented stylist, but her true gift was the special way she connected and counseled her clients and colleagues. This was a springboard to the next chapter in Gina’s life. She inspired the youth, teaching religious ed as a volunteer at St. Michael. She eventually wrote a letter to Archbishop Roach expressing the need of support in building a stronger program for the youth. That is when Gina’s legacy began. She accepted a full-time position of the Director of Senior High Faith formation and Youth Ministry at St. Michael. Gina had a special glow that brought the youth closer to know and love Jesus.
Gina lived life loud and was up for any experience, with balancing it all with prayer. She fed people physically and spiritually. Any time Gina had an opportunity to teach the faith, she flourished. Gina was a spiritual anchor. She was like a compass and knew the right direction to pull you through life’s trials and tribulations, especially for her family. Gina loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were her world and she remained active in their lives. Gina had a special and unique relationship with each one.
Gina was everyone’s mom; it did not matter the age. She understood God’s purpose in her life. Gina showed others how to be generous, kind, driven and to experience life by laughing, believing, and praying. Gina was diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago and given only 6 months to live. God had other plans; her work was not yet done on earth.
Deeply loved, Gina’s legacy now lives on in her sons, Garry (Amy), Brett (Colette), David (Jessie); grandchildren, Taylor, Nick, Ashlee (Josh) Rickert, Jacob (Rachel), Joe (Carol), John (Jessica), James (Teresa), Catherine, Justin, Alexandra, Victoria, Jarryd, Jovian, Jesse, Jeorge, Gabe, Sophia, Michaela, Max, Zach, Matt, Sam, Owen, Brooklynn; 16 great-grandchildren; siblings, John (Toni), Joanne, Joe (Marge), Rita (Jim); other relatives and friends.
Gina was greeted home by her husband, Harry; son, Craig; great grandsons, Levi Rickert, Thomas Tupy; parents, Warren and Georgia; siblings, Mary (JD), Helen (Len), Marguerite, and Patty.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Tupy family.
Happy moments praise God, difficult moments seek God, painful moments trust God, quiet moments worship God… every moment thank God!
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Dear family of Gina,
I am so sorry for your loss. What a godly woman. I can only imagine God saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” May she rest in the arms of our loving God.
Michelle (parishioner of St Michael’s)
RIP, Gina! What an incredible legacy you have left for all, but especially the youth of St. Michael! We were all blessed to know you.
So sorry for your loss. Gina was a special woman – a gift to all who knew her. She never hesitated to give of her love in an always positive way. She no doubt was proud of all her family as you are her best legacy. May you all find her strength and faith during this difficult time.
Sorry to hear about, Gina. I loved my time with her working on Quest retreats. One of the reasons I love my Catholic faith is because of, Gina. Any friend that brings you closer to, Jesus is someone special.
When I cleaned houses in high school, Gina’s house was one of them. I can still picture her bottle of Red perfume by Giorgio Beverly Hills sitting on top of her dresser.
We are missing your amazing spirit and the love and laughter you shared with so many. You are deeply missed already❤️
RIP Gina, you will be missed by all of us left behind but so welcomed by our Heavenly Father. Your life was amazing and you were admired by us all. Condolences to your family.
My heart felt condolences to you and your family.
So very sorry this beautiful and beyond amazing women left us! She’s now at peace and with her goes a piece of all of us who were so very blessed to know her!
My very deepest sympathy to all!
Gina permed my hair at the Hair Mate so many years ago. She was kind, generous and a beautiful person. I vividly remember all the to do notes around her styling station reminding her of what she needed to do for the youth at church. Gina, thank you for inspiring all of us!
Gina touched so many lives, and we are all closer to God because of her. Her beautiful smile, contagious laugh and jokes will be missed. I hope you find comfort in knowing she will reconnect with many beautiful souls.
You have our sympathy.
R.I.P. my dear friend. Gina I’m going to miss you so much. I know that you are in good hands in that beautiful mansion in the sky. I thank God for bringing you into my life. 57+ years of friendship. You have touched so many lives by making a friend, being a friend, and bringing friends to Christ. I love you Gina. Until we meet again!
Gina was loved by so many. What a legacy ! Wish I could be there to share the next few days with family and friends.
Aunt Regina was such a wonderful person. She loved to talk about medjugorje and the Divine Mercy devotion whenever we saw each other at family reunions. The Venerable Solanus Casey once said “Death can be very beautiful — like a wedding — if we make it so.” At the moment of her death, she must have been a beautiful bride.
To all the Tupy family, my Prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time. Gina was loved by so many people. She was an amazing Christian. She loved her Catholic faith. And did what the Lord wanted her to do by passing on that faith to many people. Gina truly earned her wings to heaven. She is now at peace , and may she enjoy eternal happiness in Heaven. Love and hugs to all of you!
My Condolences and sincere sympathy to Gina’s family and friends. I met Gina and wish I had had the chance to get to know her. I pray for all of you. Peace be with you. We know that Gina can intercede for us even as we pray for the repose of her soul. God bless you.
Jane Marie from Cursillo
Gina touched more people than she probably knew. Truly the ripple effect from a strong, saintly woman. I have never heard anyone say something negative about her actions. May we all aspire to be a faithful servant like Gina. I know her legacy will live on at St. Mike’s .
My condolences to the Tupy family,
To many St Mike’s parishioners Gina was Christ incarnate. Over the years of her ministry at our parish she was so active and caused so much activity from others. She had a way of persuading people to go beyond their comfort zone. She had a way to go beyond her own comfort zone! Now it’s time for Gina to claim her well deserved heavenly reward. May she rest in peace.
Gina Collins Tupy will always be Aka Sister Francis Ann to me. I shared hours of humor and laughter with her. The last conversation we had we managed to laugh together. Her smile and giggle will live on forever in her beautiful family.
Best Gina Tupy Line:
Me Gina, we are going to be late to the party.
Gina Schultzie, the party doesn’t start until we get there.
You taught us all how to live a better and happier life.☘️
Love, Schultzie
When I was a senior at PLHS, Gina asked me to sing at St. Michael’s for a special ceremony and showed up to each practice to encourage me from the back pew. She was a beautiful, classy lady who took time to inspire and engage and it always struck me that she never encountered a stranger … everyone was a friend. God Bless, Gina – and my condolences to her family.
I will always remember the cheerful hello she gave each time we passed at church.
Hope the angels are enjoying it now! Prayers to all of you.
Gina impacted each member of our family, at just the right time in our lives. Our teenagers through Confirmation Prep, Youth Group and Mission Trips. And as a mentor and shoulder to the parents of those teenagers! She became a lifelong friend to us all, I have seen that common thread in all you knew her. It is sad for those of us here on earth but I am so happy for the joy Gina is experiencing in heaven.
Blessing to all who loved her,
The Choudek Family
Dan, Mickey, Luke, Abby & Ted
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So sorry to hear about Gina she was amazing women and she touched so many people’s lives. My
Daughter and her friends loved Gina so much for all the wonderful things she had done for them in religion. She will be missed