William Jay Loftsgaarden, age 43, passed away at his home after a long hard-fought battle with alcohol. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 16, at 11:30 AM, with a time of gathering starting at 10 AM, at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, in Prior Lake, MN.
Bill was born on July 16, 1979, the youngest of 4 children of Kim and Nancy Loftsgaarden. He was born in Shakopee, and at a young age, moved with his family to Chugiak, Alaska for a 6-year adventure. There he learned his love of soccer, fishing, skiing and 4-wheel ATV riding, which he continued to love until his passing.
Bill was a pretty good soccer player, playing on the Prior Lake High School team. He continued that love of soccer after graduation by supporting the MN Loons Soccer team and being an avid follower of all pro-soccer teams.
Bill was also a talented guitar player, having been in a band, Full Throttle. The friends played together for a couple of years and had made a CD as well. He still played guitar even now, and it would go with him wherever he was. He loved to play guitar.
Bill was a journeyman electrician and project manager by trade. He was a graduate of Dunwoody Technical College, and worked with several companies in Minneapolis, and also with his father, uncle and brother at Master Electric in Savage.
He loved the outdoors, enjoyed camping, skiing, snowmobiling, and 4 wheeling. The whole family had just returned from a week-long vacation to Colorado, full of 4 wheeling, zip lining, and mountain biking. We all rented Jeeps and climbed the highest road in Colorado, more a trail than a road. It was an incredible time for all of us, and we are blessed to have had that time together.
Bill is survived by his parents; brothers, Tony (Jane) of St. Paul and Joe (Delaney) of Bloomington; sister, Allysen (Chris Tanguay) Loftsgaarden of Yarmouth, Maine; nephews and nieces, Aeden and Ana, Liv, Nash and Violet Loftsgaarden, and Odin and Lydia Tanguay. He really enjoyed being Uncle Bill.
Bill was welcomed home by grandparents, John and Jan Loftsgaarden and Harry and Alice Carlsen; uncles, Jim and Tom Carlsen; and feline best friend, Pappi.
In lieu of flowers, please direct any memorials to Gateway Recovery Center, Inver Grove Heights.
Billy, you left us too soon, we will always miss your great smile, fun ways and warm hugs.
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Jody T Stroh
I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was a gentle soul and my daughter’s good friend.
Sharon Lindgren
Not a day has gone by that I don’t think if Bill and all the happy times he had in high school hanging out with my son Nick, Jay Leeper and the rest of the gang. The good memories of the “boys” hanging out together will last them a life time. I used to see Bill so often he felt like he could have been my own son.
I have not seen Bill for quite some time, but the sadness of his passing hit hard.
We will all miss his beautiful smile.
My condolences.
Lee and Alice
Kim & Nancy
So sorry about the passing of your son Bill
I am so glad that I had the pleasure of meeting
Bill when I installed the new furnace in his home
We had such a nice conversation about Prior Lake schools He knew my daughters as well.
He made sure that I knew he was going to
Do the electrical work on the new furnace
Which he did a good job of.
Our prayers and Heartfelt thoughts are
With you and your family
Lee & Alice
Eric Olson
The “Iron Wall” will always remember Billy. I played soccer with Billy all of my life and we had the greatest time together. I still can remember when his band played at our high school. Billy you will be musted.
Rich & Darlene Davidson
Nancy & Kim & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. May Bill Rest In Peace!
Lois and Woody Walters
Kim and Nancy, we are shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our prayers and sympathies are with you and all of your family during this time. May God be with you and comfort you.
Nancy Anderson (Elias)
Nancy and Kim. So sorry for your loss. Didn’t know him, it sounds like a lot of good times we’re had.
Thinking of you.
Victoria Gibbs
Nancy, Kim and the Loftsgaarden family: I was just so saddened to hear this news, my heart goes out to your entire family and to the the friends of Bill. I have been thinking of you all a lot.
Sending prayers, blessings and peace your way.
David Kluck
We were all blessed to be touched by Billy.
Curt LeMay
Kim, Nancy and Family,
I am so sorry for your Loss.
I enjoyed working with Billy over the year on a lot of electrical jobs. One of the coolest, easy tempered guy I know. He’s going to be missed.
My Condolence’s.
Wendy (Walters) Literski
Words cannot express how sorry I am to hear about your loss. My prayers and condolences to you and your extended family.
Wendy (Walters) Literski
Audrienne’s daughter
Dixie and Greg duffy
Loftsgaarden Family, our hearts and thoughts are with you all. We loved Bill for his fun wit and kindness he showed to us through out the years! Sending prayers and love to all.
Brad Lien
Kim, Tony and family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your son and brother.
Brad and Julie Lien
Ben Nordeen
Such a gentle soul. So many wonderful memories jamming and playing in a band together in high school. Prayers to the family. We love you, Billy.
Elsa Rowe
Allysen, I am so sorry for your loss. It sounds like Bill was a wonderful guy.
Susie Christensen
I’m a friend of Ally’s from high school and was so sorry to hear this news about Billy. I remember him as a very sweet kid and I know he will be missed by many. My deepest condolences and sympathies to you, Loftsgaardens.
Ryan Blundell
Dear Nacy, Kim, Tony and family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Bill. Always kind, pleasant and helpful is how I remember him. Love and heartfelt condolences from the Blundell’s.
Mike and Dorothy Paukert
Kim, Nan, and family: Words cannot express the sadness Mike and I and our kids feel for you both and your family. We’re so happy that you have such wonderful recent trip memories with Bill and everyone together. Those experiences and others will help comfort and sustain you during this difficult time. You’ve been such great French Lake neighbors and good friends. May you feel God’s presence and loving arms around you today and always.
Rob Brink
First and foremost, Billy, I’m so sorry you had to struggle so much. While traveling and learning of your departure from this earth, the fact you are now gone really hit me hard. I’m so sorry you were struggling so much, that is something so real for more than just you, being there, it truly is a hard fought battle/road.
We grew up together. You were always a great person to talk to, especially when it came to Electronics and anything Electrical. I will never forget all the knowledge sharing you and I had early in our careers as we tried to find ourselves. We shared those common interests and I never felt our conversations were wasted ones. God speed brother man, you WILL be missed oh so much!
Alan Freiderich
To Kim and Nancy and family. My condolences to all of you and your family.
So sorry for your terrible loss! I remember working with him a lot! He was a very good guy and he will be greatly missed by all!
Sorry I found out so late!
Jaime Grabow
I am so sorry for your loss!! I just found out a couple of days ago and it has hit me really hard. I can imagine the pain I feel is only a fraction of what you feel.
Bill and I worked together and bonded over our love of Mark Knopfler (musician) and our shared struggles with drinking. We had many deep conversations regarding this. I think that’s what makes this so hard for me.
I have many fond memories of Bill. I called him Scooter Boy, because when I met him he was injured and was using a scooter to get around. I will miss him!