Timothy J. Fast

Tim Fast, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and precious light to all who knew him, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2026, at the age 61.

Timothy James Fast was born on September 13, 1964, at the hospital in Windom, Minnesota, to Alvin "Bud" J. Fast and Velma (Harms) Fast. Velma, an elementary school teacher, noticed early that Tim was not developing as expected. After local doctors couldn't provide answers, they traveled to the University of Minnesota, where Tim was diagnosed with Down syndrome nearly a year later.

Tim was a trailblazer. Born at a time when many children with Down syndrome were institutionalized, told they won't live long, and given limited expectations for their lives. Tim's story reflects the power of community coming together and compassion. In that era, Minnesota's rate of institutionalizing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities was nearly double the national average, largely due to a lack of community-based supports.

But God blessed Tim with a strong Mennonite family, who became strong advocates for community-based services. Bud and Velma started attending the Cottonwood County ARC meetings and joined other families to push for change (ARC - Association serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities).

Their hard work paid off when the Swan Lake Children's Center opened in Delft on September 19, 1966, to help children with disabilities. They were so excited when Tim started attending the Center shortly after it opened at the age of two on October 3, 1966. As the youngest child admitted to the new early childhood education program, Tim was initially accepted on a trial basis. Within a year, he made remarkable progress-gaining skills like walking, eating, and toileting-demonstrating the impact of early intervention for children with special needs.

At the Center's first open house, state officials called it a unique, one-of-a-kind model, praising the community's initiative and emphasizing that meaningful change begins with people willing to act. One state director pointed out that this Center is a great example of what happens when "people who care and are willing to take action." They doubted if anyone in Washington, D.C., would be interested in "little Timmy" if residents hadn't taken steps to support his and other children's learning (as reported in the paper).

Thanks to the strong foundation he received at Swan Lake, Tim was able to transition to Windom public schools and confidently ride the bus to attend special education classes. He loved his teachers and especially enjoyed participating in Special Olympics and proudly displayed his gold medal and bronze medal that he won at St. Cloud and when Windom hosted its first Special Olympics tournament. From the day he was born, Tim's family encouraged him to reach his full potential. They were incredibly proud when, at age 21, he graduated with the Windom Area High School Class of 1986.

After graduation, Tim was ready to move into a supportive group residential home that would further his independence. Tim moved on November 18th, 1987, to a Windom Community Residential Facility (CRF) sponsored home on 945-947 Prospect in Windom that was later run by Residential Advantages Incorporated (RAI). He lived there for 31 years until November 2018. He then moved into a residential home with Client Community Services, Inc. Tim cherished his friendships from his housemates, and the staff always treated him like family. Tim was blessed to live his entire life within such a caring and affirming community.

Tim used his gifts and talents working more than 40 years at the Cottonwood County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) Inc. in Windom, MN. DAC, born from community action with residents uniting to make a difference, opened in March 1968, two years after the Swan Lake Children's Center. Tim had a range of jobs over the years. He rarely missed a day of work due to DAC creating a happy work environment filled with lifelong friendships. Tim experienced unwavering dedication and kindness from countless staff and volunteers through the decades.

Tim found joy in various activities, including spending time with dogs, watching musicals, Vikings football, Timberwolves basketball, Twins baseball, eating pizza and pop, attending church with his parents, and having lunch afterward at Hardees. He also loved attending gospel music concerts with his dad and insisted on shaking the pastor's hand even if it meant leaving last. After his parents passed, he attended the American Lutheran Church in Windom.

Tim wasn't one to talk much, but when he did, people really listened. His warm smile, handshake, and playful grin brought happiness to everyone around him. In his own special way, Tim helped soften hearts, taught compassion, and changed how people saw and treated those with special needs. His parents' work and Tim's influence were the first steps before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed, but there's still a lot of work to do to ensure that all Tim's can live full and happy lives.

Tim is survived by his older brother and sister-in-law, Jerry Fast/Kimberly Fast of Truman, MN; his older sister, Becky Fast of Roeland Park, KS; his nephews and nieces, Jordan Fast/Saige Wudtke of Volga, SD, and Taylor/Haley Fast; and great nephews, Griffin Fast, Mason Fast of Mankato, MN, and Kiah/Curtis Graber of Rochester, MN. Tim was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

Blessed be the memory of Timothy James Fast.

Please join the family on April 10th for a celebration of life at 11 am at the American Lutheran Church in the Fellowship Hall on 906 Prospect Ave, Windom, MN 56101. A lunch reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the nonprofit Client Community Services that provides community-based supports at www.clientcommunityservices.org.