Lu Ann Stoffel

Lu Ann Stoffel, age 87, a longtime resident and former Mayor of Hastings, died peacefully on Monday, April 27, 2015 at Regina Medical Center in Hastings. Lu Ann, the daughter of William and Caroline (Keller) Wagner, was born on August 26, 1927 in Coates, Minnesota. She attended Hastings High School and graduated with the class of 1945. Following her education, Lu was united in marriage to Richard "Dick" Stoffel on June 7, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Hastings. Being an entrepreneurial couple, she and Dick owned and operated Stoffel Beverage Distribution Company which mainly served Hastings, Red Wing and Northfield as well as Stor-A-Way Ministorage, also in Hastings. Dick later preceded her in death on February 25, 2002. Lu also owned Boundary Rivers Insurance Agency as well as a successful cake and catering business both in Hastings. As one of the most passionate members of the Hastings community, Lu was also active on the planning commission and city council for ten years prior to being elected as Mayor of Hastings in 1981. She continued to hold office until 1991. As an avid volunteer, she was honored with many awards during her lifetime, including: the WCCO Good Neighbor Award as well as the Spirit of Hastings just to name a few. Lu was a longtime member and volunteer of the Hastings Womens Club where she served as President of the local chapter as well as G.F.W.C., Dakota County Historical Society, LeDuc Mansion, Friends of the Mississippi River Association, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, and along with Dick was an avid supporter of the Carpenter Nature Center. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dick; her son-in-law, Ed Smith; and by her great grandson, William J. Bonine. Lu is survived by her children, Laurie Smith of Hastings, Linda (Jerry) Bonine of St. Paul and Jay J. (Cannon) Stoffel of Orlando, FL; her grandchildren, Erin (Seth) McCauley, Nathan (Lucy) Smith, Leah Bonine, Lindsay (Erik) Kehl and Tyler (Lindsey) Bonine; her great grandchildren, Connor, Liam, Eloise, Ainsley, Estlin, Avery and a baby boy due in September; her siblings, W.D. "Bud" (Claudia) Wagner, Leila Meyer, Larry (Pat) Wagner, Fran Schneider and W.V. "Butch" (Jeannine) Wagner; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 W. Fifteenth St., Hastings, with Father Cole Kracke officiating. Interment will be held at the Parish Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home Cremation Services, 201 E. Seventh St., Hastings on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and also for one hour prior to Mass at church on Monday. In lieu of flowers, Lus family requests memorials be designated to the City of Hastings Riverfront Renaissance Project or to the Carpenter Nature Center in her memory.