Sarendy Tony Kauch

Sarendy Tony Kauch, age 60, of Plymouth, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family after complications from AL Amyloidosis.

Tony was born on August 22, 1965, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. At the age of eight, he and his family immigrated to the United States through the U.S. Embassy where his father worked. They settled first in California before making Minnesota their permanent home. Tony became a US citizen along with his entire family.

Tony graduated from culinary school in St. Paul and spent five years working at Dayton’s, where his talent and passion for food were clear to everyone around him. He eventually earned his CDL license and began a career as a semi-truck driver, a profession he embraced wholeheartedly for more than 30 years. His final place of employment was with Animal Pet Supply. It was the perfect fit for him: a company rooted in delivering pet food and supplies, which allowed him to build meaningful, long-standing relationships with independent pet stores and veterinary clinics along his routes, including Ed’s Pet World in Mitchell, SD, and Westside Animal Clinic in Watertown, SD.

His two-day route to South Dakota became one of the joys of his life, except during the winter months when his patience would be tested. Trucking was more than a job to Tony; it was his craft, his independence, and a source of pride. He was always the first to volunteer for extra shifts or long hours.

Tony loved to travel and especially cherished trips to Las Vegas, where he and Angela were married; Florida, San Diego, and weekend escapes to Duluth, one of his favorite places in Minnesota. In his final months, he was grateful to visit Duluth one last time with his good friend, John Fisher.

Above all else, Tony’s greatest passion in life was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Angela; his children, Aren (Rachel), Megan, and Mitchell; his mother, Sanady Kauch; and his sisters, Ema Kauch, Randa (Gordie) Morgan, Randine Newson, and Marilyn Ash; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Bun Heng and his brother, Rondo Kauch.

Tony was the steady foundation of his family, especially after the passing of his father. He supported, protected, and encouraged his sisters with a quiet strength that never wavered. As a father, he worked tirelessly to instill the values he lived by, respect, gratitude and the importance of hard work. He wanted his children to understand the value of a dollar, to pursue success on their own terms, and to enjoy life fully. Though he often appeared rough around the edges, those who knew him best knew his heart, especially his daughter Megan, who could always soften him instantly. But truly many of his customers called him kind and generous and will miss him dearly.

He also adored his loyal dog Lucy, who never left his side. His daily walks through Hamel were a ritual he treasured, offering him peaceful moments outdoors and conversations with neighbors he came to know well.

Tony’s commitment to work often overshadowed his own health. When his symptoms finally began interfering with the job he loved, he sought medical care, learning then that AL Amyloidosis had already spread significantly. True to who he was, Tony faced this diagnosis with courage, determination, and an unwavering will to make the most of the time he had left. He visited the places he loved, spent cherished time with family and friends, and lived to see all three of his children graduate from high school and pursue their college paths, an achievement that filled him with immense pride.

He enjoyed countless coffee outings, lunches, movie dates, and conversations with neighbors, friends, and family. His love of Asian cuisine, along with his favorite local restaurants, will forever be part of the memories shared by those closest to him.

Tony suffered a stroke due to complications from his disease and passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 10, 2025.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 19th at 2:00 p.m. at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the family, who will donate in Tony’s memory to AL Amyloidosis research.