Kristen Kay LeRoux

12/13/1966 – 12/07/2024

Kristen passed away on 12/07/2024 from an unexpected and brief journey with cancer. She is survived by husband, Tim, daughter, Amy, son and daughter-in-law Joe and Haley Sheeser, and her adored grandchildren Milena and Jonah Sheeser. Siblings Mike (Mary) Balke, Marilee (Larry) Fisher, Tom (Debbie) Balke, and Tim (Connie) Balke, mother-in-law, Judith LeRoux and siblings in law Steve (Loree) LeRoux, Chris (Joel) Buttenhoff and Mike (Barbara) LeRoux, in laws Joe and Jeannine Sheeser and Mark (Shelagh) Sheeser, and her beloved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents Maurie and Nadyne Balke, father-in-law Tom LeRoux, former husband Joe Sheeser and former mother-in-law Joanne (Krieger) Sheeser.

Kristen was born in Kansas City, MO and grew up in Grand Rapids, MI until the family moved to the Twin Cities in 1982. She treasured the close and special life-long friendships made in both MI and MN. Kris was a proud graduate of Totino-Grace High School, an alumnus of the University of MN Duluth and unwavering UMD bulldog fan.

She spent most of her professional career as a paralegal in law firms and corporations, most recently Medtronic. Kristen mentored many colleagues by exemplifying a strong work ethic, striving to balance personal and professional life, and finding motivation to truly enjoy her work. Her creativity was sparked working on home and garden projects using her philosophy to reduce, reuse, recycle.

Although she was not ready to leave this world, Kris continuously showed her family unconditional love and support. It was important to her to share lessons learned throughout her life while showing empathy to those struggling with challenges. She hoped everyone she knew would be inspired to pay it forward.

A funeral mass in her honor will be held on 12/16/2024 at St. John the Baptist, 835 2nd Avenue Northwest New Brighton, MN, at 11am. Visitation starting at 10am at the church.

Kris was insistent in lieu of flowers donations should be made to the University of MN Masonic Cancer Center’s Genetic Research Program or the Autism Society of Minnesota.