Kristin Renee Casanova passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, with her family present at her bedside. She was only 49 years old, when she was welcomed into eternal peace on Wednesday, September 21, 2016.
A visitation will be held on Monday, September 26, from 4-8PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the mass at church. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, September 27, at 11AM, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Pallbearers will be Walter Fix, Rick Fleck, Eric Breczenski, Woody Spitzmueller, Mike Ducharme and Kyle Fink. Honorary bearers will Garrett Goldberg; Easton Goldberg; T.J. Hochbrunn, Mike Casanova, Jim and Diane Sentryz, Chrisitan Morgan and Todd Spratt. Kristin will be laid to rest at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.
On April 23, 1967, Kristin was born at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee, to parents, Thomas and Jeannie. Growing up Kristin enjoyed being active, playing softball, and cheering for Gopher hockey. Being a caregiver came naturally to Kristin. She found her passion for nursing after seeing the care of her grandmother while she was dying. Kristin was a registered nurse for over 20 years and worked at St. Francis Medical Center for 12 years. Kristin spent her whole life caring for others—at work and in her personal life.
On March 30, 2004 she married John Robert Casanova on a mountain top in Sedona, AZ, with her children as witnesses. She was a loving wife and an exceptionally devoted mother.
Kristin never lost her love of activity and being outdoors. She continued to enjoy running and going to the club (Dakota) for workouts, even throughout her treatment. One of her greatest achievements was in 2012 when she completed Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, at age 45. Most of all she loved being out on the lake, boating, water skiing, and spending time with friends and family.
Kristin will be forever missed by beloved husband, John; daughter, Victoria Lynn Bennetts; son, Richard Glenn Bennetts; birth mother, Jeannie (Donald) Barnett; mother, Joni Hochbrunn; siblings, Ashleigh (Garrett) Goldberg, Thomas “T.J” Hochbrunn Jr., Emily Hochbrunn; nephew, Easton Goldberg; many relatives and friends. Preceded in death and there to welcome Kristin home is her father, Thomas Hochbrunn, and grandparents.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Prior Lake Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Casanova family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
