Caitlin Rebecca Haynes, 37, of Eagan, MN, died on the morning of Sunday, January 10, 2021, five days after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest of unknown causes. She leaves behind her loving husband of more than 12 years, Tom, and their three children, Clayton (10), Michael (7), and Maria (4); her parents Michael and Candice Kasper; her sister Erin (Kelsey) Tigges; and nephews Caleb (5) and Noah (2) Tigges, as well as numerous extended family members and friends. Caitlin was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Archie and Kay Wolfe, maternal great- grandparents George and Vera Gillmore and Henry and LaVina Wolfe, and paternal grandparents Dr. Raymond and Marian Kasper.

Caitlin was born on March 20, 1983, in St. Paul, MN, to loving parents Michael and Candice Kasper. She grew up in Eagan and graduated from Eagan High School in 2001. She graduated from St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing in 2007.

On September 27, 2008, Caitlin married the love of her life, Thomas R. Haynes at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church in Eagan. The premature birth of their first child Clayton in 2010, teamed with Caitlin’s never-ending compassion for others, drew her to work for the March of Dimes. Caitlin thrived in this role as she was able to provide support for other families affected by premature births while also furthering the organization’s research efforts.

After her second child Michael was born in 2013, Caitlin left the workforce and followed what she believed was her true calling; she chose the honor of becoming a stay-at-home mom. Caitlin’s life was focused on her family, but her family wasn’t complete until she gave birth to her third child Maria, in 2017. She enjoyed spending her time planning exciting and engaging activities for her kids and she loved documenting their lives by photographing the many fun and memorable family events along the way, including hiking, boating, berry picking, and cheerleading at all of her children’s practices, games, and activities. She excelled in her role as a hockey mom for Clayton and Michael, and treasured her time in Mommy and Me classes with Maria. Caitlin will always be remembered for being a wonderful and endearing soul, but also for being a joyful and fun-loving wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend.

Caitlin had many interests and passions that kept her busy and engaged with her family and friends. She took every opportunity she could to spend time volunteering in her kids’ schools and classrooms and was always present at their sporting events and social get-togethers. Caitlin also loved to cook and was always eager to create new recipes.

When the weather was warm, Caitlin loved nothing more than to spend time boating with her family and friends on a variety of Minnesota lakes, with Lake Pepin being her favorite. When the Minnesota weather became too cold to enjoy the local lakes, Anna Maria Island on the Gulf Coast of Florida was Caitlin’s preferred winter get-away. The beautiful beaches, breath-taking sunsets, and seemingly endless family time were all things she loved.

Caitlin’s circle of friends was large and continuously growing. The cul-de-sac in which she lived with Tom and their children was home to many friends and was the source of so much enjoyment. Caitlin frequently planned and organized events for the neighborhood families, which brought her great joy and happiness. Nights and weekends spent with these friends around bonfires and kitchen tables created friendships and memories to be cherished forever.

Teaching and sharing her Catholic faith with her children was one of Caitlin’s top priorities. She knew the importance of having a relationship with Jesus and she led by example; teaching Sunday school, serving as a catechist, volunteering at Faithful Shepherd Catholic school, and reading nightly bedtime Bible stories to her children.

Caitlin’s family and friends will remember her for the loving, caring, and generous person she was, but also for her bubbly, out-going, and energetic personality, which brought joy to everyone she met. Caitlin had a remarkable ability to bring humor into any of life’s moments and she was well known by those close to her for her playful and endearing pet names she gave to many of those she loved.

Caitlin will forever be remembered as the cornerstone on which her family was built and for the unconditional love she had for her hard-working and dedicated husband and her three amazing children, as well as for the rest of her family and friends. She will also be remembered for her deep faith and strong relationship with Jesus, her contagious smile, and her selfless acts of kindness, of which she may have saved the best for last. Before going to be with the Lord, Caitlin had one more selfless act left – as an organ donor, Caitlin blessed four people with the gift of life.

Caitlin was the light and heart of our family and she will be forever loved and forever missed. Until we meet again.

Services to honor Caitlin will be held at Mary, Mother of the Church, located at 3333 Cliff Road E, Burnsville, MN 55337 and can be viewed live via Tribucast at client.tribucast.com/tcid/…. Visitation will be on Friday, January 22, 2021 from 4:00-7:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 11:00am. There will not be a visitation immediately preceding Mass. Caitlin will be interred during a private ceremony at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, MN.

Published on January 19, 2021