Tanya L. Fey

TANYA LYNN FEY was born on August 30, 1983, to Alan and Kelly (Kepler) Jones in Pipestone, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone where she was a member throughout her life. She grew up in Pipestone and had a love for animals. At the age of 10 years old, Tanya started showing horses in 4-H. During her education, she was the president of the 4-H club, a part of the National Honor Society, and a member of FFA. Tanya graduated from Pipestone High School in 2001 with a 4.0 GPA. She dated her high school sweetheart, Wyatt Fey, for five years until they were united in marriage on June 9, 2007, at the Peace United Methodist Church in Pipestone. Tanya attended Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Worthington, Minnesota, where she studied to become a medical lab technician. She did her internship at Tyler Health Care Center until 2005 when she went to work at Pipestone County Medical Center. Tanya and Wyatt made their home in Rural Woodstock and were blessed with three beautiful children. In 2013, Tanya started her own home daycare. She blessed so many children with laughter, hugs, and love. Tanya did daycare for seven years and then switched to working at Farm Service Agency in Pipestone on March 1, 2020. Every farmer that worked with her loved her. Tanya passed away Thursday, November 11, 2021, as the result of a horse accident on her farm at the age of 38 years, two months, and 12 days.

Throughout Tanya’s life, she had a passion for horses. She was involved in the Pipestone 4-H, ranch rodeo, and in the Pipestone Saddle Club. Tanya was an avid barrel racer and had countless wins and achievements. Tanya also helped with 4-H horse training, taught kids how to rope and ride, and made beautiful tack for horses and for others. She enjoyed life on the farm whether it was doing chores, branding, or cleaning the stalls. Tanya taught her children and friends her love of horses and life. She was quick on her feet and was not afraid of hard work. No matter how busy Tanya was, she would always take time to help anyone and would always do it with a smile on her face. Tanya loved spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed riding horses as a family and watching her children ride. Tanya was a very proud mother and loved her family more than anything. She will be deeply missed.

Tanya is survived by her loving husband of 14 years, Wyatt; her children, Josey, Hatty, and Wiley; parents, Alan and Kelly Jones of Pipestone; brother Matt Jones of Flandreau, South Dakota; grandparents, Marlis Jones, and Judy and Les Hakeneis; parents-in-law, Sue and Bernie Uilk; sister-in-law, Laisha (Matt) Winter; brothers-in-law, Brett Westley, Troy (Jessica) Westley, Brian (Jessica) Uilk, Kevin (Kim) Uilk, Dan (Casey) Uilk, Tony (Chrystine) Uilk, and all of their families; nine nieces and nephews; many aunts and uncles from the Jones and Fey families; her daycare family; and many cousins, other family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Don Jones, Robert Kepler, and Max and Lloyd Bunker; and her father-in-law Don Fey.