Floyd Block

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Floyd Joseph Block was born on November 25, 1937 at Enemy Swim Lake in Waubay, South Dakota to Aleks and Barbara (Dargatz) Block.  Floyd was the 3rd of 11 children born to Aleks and Barbara (Ralph, Norbert, Floyd, Andy, Maxine, Arnie, Clara, Nikolas, Carol, Joyce and Nancy).  He was baptized in infancy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grenville, South Dakota. Floyd attended country school in rural Waubay through the 8th grade, and then took a job to help support their large family.

In 1957, at the age of 18 Floyd enlisted in the U.S. Army.  He had been stationed in Tokyo, Japan and Rochester, New York during his time of service to his country.  Floyd was honorably discharged in 1959, and returned home to South Dakota.

In September of 1959, Floyd married Patricia Sorrell at St. Otto’s church in Webster, South Dakota.  Floyd and Pat made their home in Saint Paul. In August of 1960 their first daughter, Carmen was born.  They welcomed their second daughter, Sharon in April of 1962.

Floyd’s career from a very early age revolved around the car business.  He got his start in the car business as a salesperson.  He sold cars at Southview Chevrolet in Inver Grove Heights for several years. He would then work at a body shop repairing damaged vehicles before he went on in 1978 to open his own first business, The Body Shop in North St Paul.  A short while later, Floyd’s daughter Sharon graduated from high school and went to work for her dad at the family business.

In the earlier 1970’s while working at Southview Chevrolet, Floyd met Cheryl and they began a longtime relationship which lasted 25 years until Cheryl moved to Texas in 1998.  Despite a distance of many miles, Floyd and Cheryl have always maintained their bond and close relationship throughout the years. Cheryl finds great comfort in the long heart to heart talks she and Floyd had many times every week, especially in the recent several months.

In 1985, Floyd sold the physical building/location of the The Body Shop in North St Paul, and expanded the business to a new, larger location in Mahtomedi.  Initially, he called his new business Auto Parts World/Floyd’s Auto Sales and the business continues to operate as such until the present time.  In 2019, with many years of success Floyd’s Auto Sales expanded to a second location in Forest Lake.

Floyd’s daughter, Sharon and his grandson Bob have been longtime business partners with Floyd, helping him to grow his dream of the three generation business successfully throughout the years.  They will proudly carry on his legacy at Floyd’s Auto Sales together, ensuring that the dream Floyd worked so hard to achieve lives on.  There is no doubt his heart is filled with pride for what they have achieved together.

In the later years of his life, Floyd met Karen and they were together off and on for several years. They were living together in a home in Lake Elmo at the time of his passing. Floyd had a special place in his heart for Karen’s daughter Angie, and for Angie’s three young children who will greatly miss their “papa”.

Floyd was blessed with so many gifts and talents, it’s hard to know where to even start.  He was a visionary in a lot of different ways.  He built two log cabins from the ground up – he even drew up his own blueprints.  He harvested all his own logs, de-barked them, notched and then stacked them to build the cabins.  He could walk into a house that any other person would have seen as demolition material – but Floyd could not only see, but also bring out the potential in literally anything.  Throughout his life, he tackled many large scale remodeling and building projects.   He bought 2 different new construction houses that had only been framed and sided, and turned them into true works of art anyone would be proud to call home.  Floyd’s hands were blessed in many different ways.

Floyd also had a close and personal connection with nature.  He loved to fish, hunt and simply enjoy the outdoors in nearly every way.  He also had a natural talent with plants, and especially with landscaping.  He owned many cabins throughout his life.  Floyd introduced his children, and his grandchildren to all nature has to offer and nurtured lifelong relationships with the great outdoors.  He taught them boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, 4 wheeling and camping among other activities – anything to get them connected to and engaged with the outdoors for a lifetime.

Floyd had a rare and diverse personality.  He was a very shrewd in business.  Perfectionism was an ingrained part of who he was.  He could leave emotions completely out of the equation and situation when he needed to.  He was often direct and sharply to the point without mincing even a single word. His motivation and drive to follow his dreams and make them come true were second to none.  His work ethic was as solid as a rock.   Yet, he also had a side rarely seen by others, it was a side reserved only for those who were very close to him, very close to his heart.  Those closest to Floyd will tell you that when you needed someone most, you didn’t even have to ask – he would quietly step in and help in whatever way you needed help.  He did not do it for the recognition - he didn’t want anyone to know he had done it.  It was purely out of the goodness of his heart he would give to those he loved anything they truly needed.  To those who saw this side of Floyd, they will tell you his love and generosity would reach down and touch your very soul.  Floyd’s youngest sister, Nancy is 21 years younger than Floyd.  When Nancy was 12, she says he just decided that she needed a brand new cool bike like all the other kids had – and he just showed up with one for no apparent reason much to her delight.  It’s a memory she will forever treasure. There are more stories like this one to tell than a person has fingers and toes.  Floyd was humble, and he was private - most people never knew or saw this side of him.  For those of us privileged enough to have this connection with him, our hearts are broken and we will miss him more than words can ever say.

Floyd is survived by his two daughters, Carmen (Kevin) and Sharon (Marty); 4 grandsons, Marty, Jr (Katie), Brian (Korina), Michael (Sara) and Bob – and 6 great grandchildren, Taylor, Christopher, Benjamin, Makenna, Milena and Hadley; three sisters, Maxine, Joyce and Nancy, and many nieces and nephews. Floyd is preceded in death by his parents, Aleks and Barbara and his siblings, Ralph, Norbert, Andy, Arnie, Nikolas, Clara, and Carol.

There will be a celebration honoring Floyd’s life from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, February 22, 2021 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  A private memorial service will be held on Tuesday.  Those who are unable to attend are welcome to join the family virtually through the live stream beginning at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at www.mattsonfuneralhome.com To ensure the safety and health of all in attendance, we will be following the guidelines of Executive Order 20-62.  Please call for additional information.  In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, the family asks that you please donate to your favorite charity in his honor, or that you randomly bless someone by paying for their coffee or meal to honor his memory.