Woodbury Husband, Father Dies after Fight With ALS

Scott Andrew Stafne, Woodbury, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 after a more than eight-year battle with ALS, or "Lou Gehrig's disease."

He was 40 years old.  

Scott was born May 10, 1972 to Gerry and Judy Stafne of Cottage Grove. He graduated from Park High School in 1990 and the University of Minnesota in 1995 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In 2002, he married his wife Kirsten, who loved and cared for him gracefully. Upon his diagnosis with ALS in 2004, Scott “retired” from an information technology career and devoted himself to his passion for writing and filmmaking. With the birth of daughters Eva Lorraine in 2005 and Miranda Roxanne in 2008, Scott found his purpose in life.

Scott shared his friendly smile and sharp wit with everyone he knew. He enjoyed movies, cycling, travel and downhill skiing; playing basketball with Todd Frigstad, Patrick Thorsel, Eric Wenzel and his dad; and especially his weekly strategy game night with Jason Lindahl, Mike Spolidoro and Robbie Anderstrom.

Scott’s love, determination, strength and perseverance kept him with us for eight and a half years while ALS ravaged his body, spirit and mind. He was honored with the MDA Courage Award, the ALS TDI Stephen Heywood award and an appearance on the MDA Telethon in Las Vegas in 2007. Now, his freedom from the prison of ALS has been granted, and he is finally released from the bonds of gravity and paralysis that held him down here on earth.

Scott was preceded in death by his grandparents Ed and Lorraine Wahlstrom and Gordon and Lois Stafne, best friend Andy Woodard and dozens of friends with ALS. He is survived by his wife Kirsten, daughters Eva and Miranda, loving and devoted parents Gerry and Judy, and many caring friends and relatives.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Scott’s life on Friday, February 15 at 11:00 a.m., . Visitation prior to the service starting at 9:30 a.m.

Memorials preferred to the Scott Stafne Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo.

Photos, guestbook and blog online at http://blog.stafnes.com.

Editor's Note: This obituary was provided to Woodbury Patch by the Stafne family.