Passionate Gymnastics coach Andrea Hassel, 45, passed away on April 16, 2025, after a courageous five-year battle with breast cancer.
She was surrounded by her family and loved ones during her last breath.
Hassel was a gymnastics coach at the Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy, which she founded herself.
Her dedication to the sport and her students made her a beloved figure in the community.
Andrea Hassel Was Known For Her Dedication To Gymnastics For Nearly 20 Years!
Andrea Hassel was the founder of the Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy (GRGA) in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
She spent over 20 years coaching young female gymnasts and helped many of them reach collegiate-level competitions.
Sadly, she was diagnosed with stage three terminal breast cancer in 2020. However, after years of surgeries and medical treatment, the cancer spread.
Despite this, she remained dedicated to coaching and cheering on girls from her hotel room.
Her husband, Patrick, stood by her side throughout her courageous battle with breast cancer.
Her community honored her legacy by creating Andrea’s Garden, a memorial space featuring flowers, vegetable beds, a stream, and a reflection area.
The garden also hosts community events like sunrise yoga and outdoor family movie nights.
To support this project, a GoFundMe campaign was launched under the name “Building a Fence for Andreas Garden” to raise funds for building a wooden fence around the garden.
Moreover, Andrea Garden organized the campaign, which aimed to ensure the space remained protected and welcoming for visitors. This fundraiser raised over $15,000 to support the project.
Additionally, Garden shared funeral tributes and funeral information on Facebook.
Patrick, along with Andrea’s family and friends, played a crucial role in honoring her legacy by supporting Andrea’s Garden.
Andrea Hassel’s well-wishers and friends took to social media to express their grief and celebrate her legacy.
Many shared heartfelt tributes, posting memories, photos, and messages about her impact on their lives.
One of her friends with the name handle @Janet Cone expressed her sorrow, saying:
So very sorry to hear this. Andrea was so loved. We will all miss her, and her beautiful smile. She was an inspiration to all of us. My heart goes out to her husband Patrick, to all of Najia and Gary’s family, especially Andrea’s siblings Holly, Wade, and Tyler and all of Robin and Dave’s family, including Andrea’s very close cousins Amber and Matt. Najia, this must be especially hard on you. My heart breaks for all of you.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Andrea Hassel’s family, friends, and well-wishers.
Rest In Peace, Beautiful Soul!
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Andrea Hassel’s sister, Holly Hassel, is an English professor and a former Jeopardy! champion.
- Her mother, Najia Hassel, was actively involved in the Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy, which Andrea founded.
