Following their college graduation in 1961, Al and Nancy chose to return to their roots in Albert Lea, where Al began a career at Skinner's and reconnected with their spiritual home at First Lutheran Church. Together, they welcomed their daughters Kirsten and Kari, navigating the challenges of academic pursuits with grace and unity. Al and Nancy exchanged vows on December 28, 1957, at Christ Episcopal Church in Albert Lea, MN, setting the foundation for a life enriched with purpose and dedication. In September of 1957 he joined his high school sweetheart, Nancy Skinner, at Luther College. After graduating from Albert Lea High School in 1955, Al dutifully served his country in the US Army stationed in Germany before returning to cherished home soil, where he embarked on a shared journey of faith and learning. He would later instill these same work ethics in his children and grandchildren. Cultivating a strong work ethic at the young age of 10, he tended to a paper route, amongst many other jobs, while pursuing his education. He spent his formative years basking in the simple joys of rural life and spending summers at his grandparent's farm in Moscow, MN.
He was born in Austin, MN, to Bernard and Alberta (Brighton) Stoa on April 27, 1937. Allan James Stoa, a devoted servant of God, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2024, at St John’s Lutheran Community in Albert Lea, MN. Your craftsmanship in life, in every sense, was truly unparalleled.Rev. Here's to Catherine, whose legacy of creativity, love, and the indelible joy of dance will continue to inspire and uplift us all. But in true Catherine fashion, she'd likely tell us to "put on some lipstick, a pair of earrings, go dancing, and make the world a brighter place." So, as we remember her, let's celebrate the incredible life she lived and the permanent mark she left on our hearts. To say she will be missed is an understatement.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, craftsmanship, and the joy of dance in her daughter, Laura Gillen Williamee her son, James Gillen her adoring grandson, Justyn Gillen and his wife, Nicole Gillen and her granddaughter, Jewel Williamee. Mom was preceded in death by her beloved husband, John Gillen, a love story that set incredibly high standards.
Her advice always sage, and her presence a comfort to us all. She was the most brilliant woman, not just for her creative talents or her professional achievements, but for her wisdom, her wit, and her unparalleled ability to make everything feel okay. Together, they won numerous awards for their dancing, a passion that remained with Catherine even in her later years at the nursing home, where she continued to dance and bring joy to those around her. Catherine and her beloved husband, John, whom she met at an Officers' Club dance, were known for their grace on the dance floor. However, it was her lifelong passion for dance that truly set her soul alight. Her cooking, much like her personality, was full of flavor, warmth, and a touch of unexpected spice. Her culinary skills, while less frequently mentioned, were nonetheless a testament. This vibrant household backdrop was where she honed her remarkable resilience and sense of unity, traits that she carried throughout her life. Raised in a bustling household with six brothers and three sisters, Catherine's early life was filled with the laughter and chaos that comes from a large family. Her hands, equally skilled with a hammer or a needle, crafted garments and furniture alike with love and precision. Not only was she a master carpenter, creating pieces that brought warmth and character to our home, but she was also a professional seamstress. Mom had a remarkable career as a G5 13 for FHA, where she brought passion and dedication. She was a force of nature, a whirlwind of creativity, love, and an unending zest for life, all wrapped up in a package that always, without fail, included bright red lipstick and a pair of earrings. It's hard to capture the essence of Catherine T.