Please remember in your prayers University of St. Thomas student Alex Vitalis, 20, who died in a tragic accident after jumping from a cliff into the St. Croix River.
Alex had completed his first year at St. Thomas. He was the son of St. Thomas alumni Wade Vitalis and Carol Nagele-Vitalis of Shafer, Minn.
Chisago County deputies were called to the Franconia Landing on the St. Croix River Monday night after reports that a man jumped from a rock ledge on the Wisconsin side of the river and did not come back up. Alex’s body was found Tuesday. He was known to be a strong swimmer and was with friends when the accident occurred.
A funeral service was at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 561 Chestnut St., Taylors Falls, Minn. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, also at the church. The bells on the St. Paul campus tolled for five minutes beginning at 4:01 p.m. Saturday.
Members of the St. Thomas community who would like support or assistance in dealing with Alex’s death are welcome to contact Campus Ministry, (651) 962-6560, or Counseling and Psychological Services, (651) 962-6780.