Kearney Lee Triplett

Kearney Lee Triplett

Age 79 of White Bear Lake, MN, formerly of Lake Elmo, MN, passed away on March 22nd, 2025.

Kearney was born January 29th, 1946, in St. Paul, MN to Ashley and Margaret Triplett. He graduated from St. Paul Central High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, spending the next 4 years in Vietnam and earning the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars. After being honorably discharged, he moved back to St. Paul where he met the love of his life, Jan, on the opposite side of a double date. It wasn't very long before the two of them eloped to Watertown, S.D., in 1969. They moved to Kalispell, Montana, where they had their first son, Joe. Kearney got a job at 3M as a security guard so they moved back to Minnesota where they would have their second son, Ben, and raise their family at their farmhouse in Lake Elmo. After working at 3M for almost 20 years, he decided to go to Concordia and earn his bachelor's degree so he could move into a management role. Kearney worked at 3M for almost 35 years.

Kearney loved the outdoors. Whether it was fishing, hunting, cooking on the grill or sitting on the back deck with a cigar and a cocktail, he was at home when he was outside. He was especially proud of the family deer camp he helped establish. He and Jan loved to travel together and took numerous trips. Kearney especially loved to spend time with his grandchildren. Whether it was playing, swimming, playing bingo or scrabble, he truly loved their time together.

Kearney was preceded in death by his parents, Ashley and Margaret. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jan; sons, Joe (Heather) and Ben (Andrea), grandchildren Regan, Kendall, Cameron, Natalie and Matthew; sisters, Lyn Griffith, Patricia (Steve) Franz and Margene (Ray) Hameister; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family and friends.

Service Monday, May 19th, 2025, 12:00 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear. Visitation one hour prior. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. Following the interment, we will celebrate Kearney at the North St. Paul Legion with drinks and food.