Jeffrey Randolph, age 79, of Victoria, MN and formerly of Prior Lake, MN, passed away on April 25, 2024. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM with a visitation from 9:30-11:00 AM on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN. Jeffrey will be laid to rest at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Jeffrey Randolph was born on July 24th, 1944 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The firstborn, and only son, of LaVern and Leatta Randolph and with younger sisters Judy and Gail, they grew up in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood. He graduated from the Vocational High School of Minneapolis in 1962. He was inducted into the army on his birthday that same year. Jeff served in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1965. Jeff married Ruth Pederson, having two sons: Jeff Jr. and Troy, before divorcing.
Jeff met Cate Johnson through a mutual friend. They eloped to Vegas, getting married on July 3rd, 1981, at We’ve Only Just Began Wedding Chapel. They moved to Savage and had their first daughter, Emily in 1982. The family moved to Prior Lake and had their last child, Madalyn in 1990.
Jeff held a variety of jobs until he got a job at Prior Lake Machine, working decades as a Machinist until he retired. He was very mechanically inclined and started Jeff’s Small Engine Repair, working on small engines out of his garage. He was well known in the area for this, many times he would come home to a snowblower or lawn mower in the driveway waiting for him to fix it.
Jeff was the kind of guy you didn’t forget after meeting him, you either loved him or hated him. He spoke his mind without reserve and was never apologetic for his opinion. Patience was not a virtue of his, he hated waiting for anything, fast food wasn’t fast enough, but he had a quick wit and the best sense of humor to make up for it. He never laughed harder than when he was laughing at himself. He had the biggest sweet tooth, having a drawer dedicated for sweet treats in his garage. All animals (domesticated or otherwise) loved Jeff.
Jeff and Cate moved to Watertown, Mn in 2015 and in October of 2023 moved to Victoria Flats in Victoria, Mn after Jeff suffered a heart attack. He enjoyed bowling and playing ping pong and would drive back to Prior Lake twice a week to play pong and most Saturdays he’d bowl with his buddies. He was playing ping pong at a buddy’s house the day he passed away.
Jeff was not a big man in stature, but his personality was huge. He was a devoted, loyal, and faithful husband, father, and grandfather. He’s left a huge hole in our hearts and will be incredibly missed by all who loved him.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Cate; children, Troy, Emily Hanson, and Madalyn (Jon) Pankratz; grandchildren, Alysia (Zach) Ewing, Jake Randolph (Annika Olson), Claire Randolph, Hailey Pankratz, and Dylan Hanson; great-grandchildren, Jayden, Danika, and Harper; sisters Judy (Larry) Brodahl and Gail (Craig) Wright; and other loving family and friends. He is preceded in death by son, Jeff Jr., and parents.
