Harvey Leroy Stockness

PIONEER PRESS OBITUARY (as published on Sunday, October 22, 2017) Harvey “Harv” Stockness Beloved Husband, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa Harvey passed away on the morning of October 18, 2017, while surrounded by his loving family. He was an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, hunter, a US Army veteran, and the founder of Stockness Construction. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lillie Stockness; and his sister, Blanche Virkus. He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Ann Marie (nee McTigue) Stockness of Vadnais Heights; his children, Linda (John) Shields of Mendota Heights, Dan (Connie) Stockness of Grant, Lori (Jerry) Hoffman of White Bear Lake, and Tim (Laura) Stockness of Stillwater; his grandchildren, Gina (Bernie) Armada, Joel Shields, David (Alice) Shields, Chris (Michelle) Stockness, Andy (Kristen) Stockness, Luke (Ali) Stockness, Katie (fiancé, Chris Arcand) Stockness, Meghan (Zach) Hennessey, Mark Hoffman, Molly (Dan) Louismet, Nick (Kelly) Stockness, Amanda (Phil) Hildebrandt, Brad (Melissa) Stockness, and Abby Stockness; his great-grandchildren, Alex, Maria, Sabrina, William Harvey, Lettie, Cameron, Charlotte, Dylan, McKayla, Savanna, Quinn, Isla, Gus, Francis, Cullen, Leo, and Henry; sister, Toots (Joe) Jwanouskos; and many other family and friends. His family was the center of his life and he will be missed by all who knew him. There will be a visitation from 4-6PM on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, with a Prayer Vigil at 6PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:30AM on Monday, October 23, 2017 at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, with second visitation one hour prior to Mass at church. Private interment to take place at the church cemetery. His family would like to thank the caring staff at Prelude Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice for their loving care and support of Harvey. Memorials preferred to the donor’s choice of charity. “We will miss you Papa Harvey!” LIFE STORY Harvey was born in Cyrus, Minnesota on May 13, 1928 and was one of three children of Lillie (nee Elvester) and Henry Stockness. He grew up in Roseville and attended Murray High School in St. Paul. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Army where he served for a time in Korea as a sergeant. After returning home to Minnesota, a mutual friend set him up on a blind date with Ann Marie McTigue. They quickly fell in love and were married on May 27, 1950 at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in St. Paul. They settled in Roseville where they raised their four children. In 1955, Harv started his own construction company. Today, both his boys continue to run Stockness Construction. Outside of work, he was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt (deer, moose, pheasant), fish, snowmobile, and boat. He spent countless hours pulling waterskiers behind one of his boats (Annie’s Trip … I, II, III or IV) and loved every minute of it. He was especially proud of getting five skiers up at the same time for a loop around Sullivan Lake at the Figg’s cabin. In 1988, Harv and Ann, longtime empty nesters by then, moved to Vadnais Heights and joined St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church. Still, his family stayed the center of his life. He loved nothing more than helping out the kids with projects around their homes and his help was always appreciated. Harv and Ann were blest with wonderful friends, many lifelong. They enjoyed traveling and took several memorable trips … to Europe, Hawaii, and East Asia to name a few. For 40 years they have spent a good part of the winter at their condo in Pompano Beach, Florida, where more close friendships were forged. He was a very outgoing, social and friendly guy. Above all else, he was an extremely proud family man and deeply loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.