Derek Jon Haehnel

On Tuesday, November 16th, 2021, Derek Jon Haehnel passed away in his home at the age of 36 after a long battle with melanoma.

Derek was born on May 15th, 1985, in St. Paul to Brian and Karen Haehnel.  His mom remembers him as a beautiful blue-eyed baby boy who turned in to quite the terror.  He was a Houdini with his car seat, drove the family car twice before the age of three and demanded peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when he got off the kindergarten bus.  Derek attended Inver Grove Heights public school, played a variety of sports, and enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and going to movies with his family.  Even though he was allergic, Derek loved dogs and held a special place in his heart for his family dog Lady. At Simley high school Derek played the trumpet in the band and was a member of the football team.  He graduated high school with honors in 2003. Derek was a hard worker and held jobs at the movie theater, as a lifeguard, a janitor, ice truck driver and an apprentice with his family’s electrical company. Derek attended Hamline University where he played football and graduated in 2007 with a degree in criminal justice.  Derek became a reserve police officer for the city of West St. Paul and worked as a security guard at Regions Hospital as he pursued his dream of becoming a law enforcement officer.

In 2008, Derek met his wife Holly. He was smitten from the day they met. Holly took a while to warm up to his sarcasm and quiet demeanor, but he finally won her over. On August 14th, 2010, they were married. In 2013, Derek graduated from the MN trooper academy where his dreams of becoming a law enforcement officer came to fruition. During his time with the MN State Patrol, he earned two lifesaving awards, became a field training officer, and attended Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Derek and Holly were blessed with two children Eve (7) and Leo (5). Derek was an amazing father who loved his children fiercely.  He hoped to bestow on them his sense of humor and prayed that they got his coordination.

Throughout the years Derek enjoyed many hobbies.  He was a very determined person and taught himself how to snowboard and play the guitar.  He also loved playing golf, frisbee golf, racquetball, and softball with friends.  Derek was not your typical fair-weathered Vikings fan.  As a seven-year season ticket holder, he attended many games and was a true fan.  Derek enjoyed working out and was a member of a CrossFit gym for many years.  He even built his own garage gym to workout at home once life got busy.  In the recent years Derek took up playing Call of Duty online with friends and collecting sports cards.  Derek was a fan of the show Survivor and was planning on attending the 2020 casting call until it was cancelled due to COVID.

Derek is preceded in death by his grandparents, Art & Jackie Haehnel, and James & Florence Espy.

Derek is survived by his wife, Holly; daughter, Eve; son, Leo; parents, Brian and Karen Haehnel; sister, Jessica (Jon); brother, Nate (Rebecca); mother-in-law, Pam (Bret) Minger; father-in-law, Dan (Lynda) Dunn; brothers-in-law, Levi (Darla) and Keith (Denette); sister-in-law, Taylor; nieces and nephews, Madison, Roger, Jacob, Tyler, Zachary, Emma, Otis; many friends and the MN State Patrol.

Visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, November 23 ^rd , 2021, at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. A funeral service is scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday November 24th, 2021, at Calvary Lutheran Church with a visitation prior starting at 10:00 AM. A livestream of the service is available at Live-stream link . Masks will be required, and social distancing encouraged. Due to Covid, there will not be a luncheon following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to The Melanoma Research Alliance in Derek’s honor.