- Date Of Birth: February 8, 1977
- Date Of Death: July 21, 2016
- State: Minnesota
Scott Carl Troska passed away on July 21, 2016, at the age of 39, after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Scott Carl Troska as born February 8, 1977, to Carl and Susan (Renstrom) Troska. He attended school in Stephen, MN and graduated in 1995 from Stephen High School. He attended the Technical College in East Grand Forks in the Diesel Mechanics program. Scott returned to Stephen where he worked at his true life passion, farming. At the time of his death, Scott was employed by Sundby Farms of Stephen. In 2013, Scott was able to begin fulfilling a lifelong dream of farming his own land. In 2003 Scott joined the Stephen Volunteer Fire Department. He received the Chief’s Award in 2005, 2006, and 2008 and Officer of the Year in 2011. Scott was also recognized for 7 years of Perfect Attendance. Scott reached the ranking of Captain within the department. A dedicated fireman, he was always one of the first ones to arrive at the fire hall for any fire call or lift assist for the ambulance. His dedication and commitment to the fire department was as strong as it was to farming.
Being the truly down-to-earth, uncomplicated man that he was, Scott lead a “let’s do it” life. When it came to helping people, Scott was there for anyone. He also loved to tell dumb jokes, and the dumber the joke the bigger the smile he would have. If you groaned at his joke, his day was a success. He had the brightest smile, and a dimple to go with it. And, rarely was Scott seen without a smile. Scott lived a life of excellence in everything he did. He worked hard and he played hard. He enjoyed NASCAR, attending several races throughout the country. And this summer he bought a pontoon, a lifelong dream that he had.
Scott is survived by his parents, Carl and Connie Troska; sisters, Stephanie (Michael) Pagnac, Nan (Derik) Nelson, and Britni (Adam) Gajeski; nephews, Carson and Brady Pagnac; nieces, Carly Pagnac and Harper Nelson; significant other, Nicole Minske; Godparents, Russel and Clarice Demeyere and Joni Morlock; step-father, Allan (Ellen) Frei; Godson, Henry Britten; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.
“It’s a Troska Thing. You Wouldn’t Understand”
By Connie Troska
If I had a dime for every time I heard:
“It’s a Troska thing. You wouldn’t understand.” I’d have a lot of dimes.
I’ve been hearing this statement since I first met Carl, Stephanie and Scott back in 1997.
Normally it is reserved for those times when some dumb thought filters through to their mouth. And, usually it is spoken to my back because I had already walked away, shaking my head.
But today, there are some Troska things that we can strive to understand.
Scott has touched every one of us here today in some way.
In the unselfish way he took time for others. Always letting you know to call him, day or night, he would be there. It frustrated him this past year that he couldn’t help others as he done in the past. May we all take a little extra time for someone else.
Through his smile. His trademark, so to speak. We could each take a chapter out of his book. May we all smile more and may we help others to smile more.
Through his positivity. He fought a hard battle, and no matter who asked him how he was feeling, he would say “I am good…I’m good…I’ll be fine.” May we all look at the trials we face, and be able to say “I am good…I’m good…I’ll be fine.”
Through his work ethic. It didn’t matter what event was going on, his first response would be, “I don’t know if I can make it, I might be spraying…or enter any other farming activity. But he’d be there. May we all know in our hearts what is important in our own lives.
In the way he enjoyed the simple things. This spring during a time when he wasn’t feeling well, and when the fields were beginning to be tilled. He breathed in deeply, and said to me, “Do you smell that?” (I thought it was another Troska thing I wouldn’t understand, so I was hesitant to answer…because the Troskas’ are all about sharing bodily functions). He said, “Can you smell the dirt? It’s the best smell.” May we all breath in deeply and be thankful for all that we have been given in God’s grace.
So, while there may be many things only a Troska will understand. The legacy that Scott leaves behind for all of us is the challenge to: unclutter our lives; to laugh more; and to love deeper.
And, that is a Troska thing we can all understand.
