Richard E. Callanan, age 89, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on May 6, 2022, at Sleepy Eye Medical Center.

Visitation will be on Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm and will continue on Thursday from 9:30 until 10:30 am at the Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel.

Memorial Service will be held at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Sleepy Eye, on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at 11:00 am.

The clergy will be Father Mark Steffl.

Interment will be at the Home Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.

Military Rites provided by the Sleepy Eye Honor Guard.

Service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye/live

Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Richard “Kelly,“ and/or “Coke” Callanan, beloved father, husband, grandfather and community member, left this world Friday, May 6, 2022 on land he had lived on while he raised all 5 of his children with his beloved wife Shirley. He was born and raised in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota and attended and graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic school in 1951. He was an outstanding athlete, participating in football, basketball, and track. Richard was a devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic church and raised his 5 children in the church-they all graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic school as he did. Richard was a veteran of the Korean war. Richard “Coke” was a dedicated employee at Del Monte Foods in Sleepy Eye most of his career and contributed to its success. According to the Superintendent at the time, Coke was the reason the new corn building came in under budget. He attended mass at St. Mary’s every Sunday. He loved watching the St. Mary’s sports, especially the sports his children participated in. Coke loved people and his social life included playing softball, bowling, playing cards, golfing and fishing. He enjoyed vacationing at Alexandra MN with family and fishing for walleye.
Richard Callanan raised his children to be good, responsible people, and they grieve for him: Tom (Francie) Callanan, Mary (Jim) Schaufler, Pat (Sandy) Callanan, Lisa Callanan, and Dan (Theresa) Callanan. He is also survived by grand-daughters Anna Schaufler and Ruby Schaufler, Alex Callanan and Tina Cerny (Erik) and Mya Callanan.