Farrell Guillien

Farrell F. Guillien, 87, beloved husband of Cheryl (Storlie) Guillien was called home to heaven on his birthday, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.

Farrell was born at home in Mayville, Twp. (rural Caledonia, MN) on May 23, 1936 to Wilfred and Aloris (Flynn) Guillien.  He was the 5th of 9 children.  He was too little to play with the oldest 4 and too big to play with the youngest 4 so... (you know the rest).

Farrell married Viola Oitzman June 24, 1960.  They later divorced.  They had 6 children: Renee, Michelle, Todd, Karen, Connie and Janelle.  Farrell served his country in the U. S. Army from 1959 to 1961. He farmed full-time for many years.  In the fall of 1988 he sold his farm and took over his brother, Leland’s livestock hauling business.  In the `90s Farrell drove semi for Caledonia Haulers and Bonsack Trucking.  At the start of the 2001 school year Farrell drove school bus and charters for Ready Bus.  When COVID regulations took the fun out of driving he decided to turn in his keys and trade them in for a deck of cards.  Farrell could be found every morning Monday through Saturday at the BP in Houston playing rap poker with his cronies.  Thursday nights you could find him at Saxon Hall with his “younger” group of card players.  Farrell was known for making the best chocolate chip cookies.  When there was a special card playing event, he was required to bring his famous cookies along.

On June 23, 1989 Farrell and Cheryl were married at Lake Tahoe, NV.  Farrell welcomed Cheryl’s children, Karla and Christopher as a daughter and son.  Together he and Cheryl enjoyed many years of camping at various campgrounds.  In 2017 they took the jump and upgraded to a motor home so they could escape the MN winters for the warmth and sunshine of Florida and Arizona.  Farrell had many building projects and he made Cheryl's home improvement ideas become reality.  His vast knowledge and talent for repairing and constructing were appreciated by Christopher and son-in-law Craig. He also took pleasure in teaming up with Karla on various tiling projects while she and Craig were building their home.  A recent accomplishment was being the master carpenter working with Craig to build his dream boat, named “Defiant”.  Farrell was able to “captain” the boat at Cape Canaveral in March of this year before returning home to La Crescent.  Helping his many friends and family with their own projects was how Farrell showed his love and generous spirit.

Farrell’s closest friend was his nephew, Greg.  Together they traveled and supported one another through thick and thin.

Farrell's Irish heritage was something he enjoyed celebrating with his siblings.  In October, 2010 they took a trip across the pond to Ireland.  On the tour they were known as The Brady Bunch.  Memories were made for a lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Janelle who passed away in 1976 at age 3; his brothers, Leland and his wife, Mabel; Byrl and his wife, Joyce; sisters, Helen and her husband Ed; and Aloris and her husband Gerry.  He was also preceded in death by Cheryl’s brother, Jerry “Red” Storlie.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl and his children and their families.  Renee (Pat) Chwalek and their daughters, Noelle and Lexie; Michelle (Jeff) Cecil and her sons, Tory and Shawn; Todd (Michelle) Guillien and their children, Jeremy (Natasha), Drew and Bridget; Karen (Ron) Hagen and their sons, Shane and Eli (Lindsey); Connie Brown and her children, Talia, Julia, and Jacob; Karla (Craig) Helke and their children, Cody, Bryce & Madison; Christopher (Hilary) Bernsdorf and their boys, Drew & Logan.  In addition he is survived by 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings; Lloyd (Joyce) Guillien, Marie (LeRoy) Goergen, Annette (Roger) Theis and Joe (Doris) Guillien. Farrell was a much-loved uncle to many nieces and nephews but there was a special bond between him and his nephew, Greg and his wife Lola. He is further survived by Cheryl's siblings: Marilyn & Roger Bernsdorf, Judy Storlie, Darrel & Vickie Storlie, Laurie & Matt Meyers, Brian & Maureen Storlie and their families.

A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, June 11 at the La Crescent Event Center from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  There will be a time of prayer and reflection at 2:30 PM.  Farrell’s niece, Vicar Vanessa Storlie will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.