Randolph "Randy" Van Heel

Randolph F. “Randy” Van Heel, age 65 of Albany, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at his home in Albany, Minnesota.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, December 6 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. A prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. by Rev. Julius Beckermann, O.S.B. A private inurnment will be held at a later date at St. Anthony Cemetery in St. Anthony, Minnesota.

Randolph Francis Van Heel was born April 2, 1960 in Melrose, Minnesota to Raymond and Irene (Feld) Van Heel. Randy graduated from Albany High School in 1978. He previously worked at Loren’s Lawn and Tree Service, but most recently worked at Land O’Lakes in Melrose. Randy could fix anything and make it better than it was. He was an amazing welder who could fabricate anything. He was a jack of all trades who loved watching old western movies and comedies. Randy enjoyed collecting pocketknives, tools, and short box trucks with loud, straight pipes!

Survivors include his daughter, Stacy Van Heel (Kyle Funk) of New Munich; grandchildren, Austin and Alexis Funk; brothers and sisters, Gary Van Heel of Albany, Wayne Van Heel of Albany, Linda (John) Kurtz of Avon, Carol (Dan) Reisdorf of St. Joseph, Sandy Wielenberg of Albany, Mary (Jeff) Zenner of Albany, Charlene (Bruce) Gerads of Holdingford, and Patsy (Jason) Birr of Alexandria; and many nieces and nephews.

Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Irene Van Heel; and brother-in-law, Dan Wielenberg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.