Dad of 4 Was Fishing with Family and His Dog When Boat Capsized. His Grandfather Will ‘Never Forget’ the Screaming

What began as a peaceful morning of fishing with family ended in tragedy last week when 28-year-old Tyler Tasche, a devoted husband and father of four, lost his life in the Mississippi River near Monticello, Minnesota.

Tyler had set out on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with his grandfather Mark Tasche, 66, and his younger brother Tristan, 18. The three had found what they believed was a good fishing spot near a waterfall. Tyler was operating the small “beavertail” boat, which only moves forward and lacks reverse gear, while Mark and Tristan sat nearby.

As the current pulled the boat dangerously close to the waterfall, Tyler tried to push it away with a wooden board — but it was too short to reach safety. Within moments, the boat capsized, throwing all three men and Tyler’s black Pomeranian, Bonnie, into the cold water.

Mark, the only one wearing a life jacket, barely managed to reach the shore, his lungs filling with water. Tristan managed to flip the aluminum boat upright but couldn’t find his brother.

“I’ll never forget him shouting for me to help flip the boat because he thought his brother was trapped underneath,” Mark recalled. “But Tyler wasn’t there. He was gone.”

Tristan ran to find help and came across two nearby fishermen who immediately called 911. By the time emergency crews arrived, it was too late. According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, rescuers found Mark and Tristan safe but pulled Tyler from the water unresponsive. Despite efforts by first responders, he could not be revived. Bonnie also perished in the accident.

Tyler’s wife, Gaby, described him as “an amazing father and an amazing husband. He did everything for us.” The couple lived in Big Lake with their four children — Ariel (10), Sophia (9), Sebastian (7), and Serenity (5). Gaby works full-time, while Tyler stayed home to care for the children, especially Sophia, who has severe autism.

“We just felt like one of us had to stay home with her,” Gaby explained. “They had a really close relationship.”

Tyler was known for his love of the outdoors — fishing, four-wheeling, and working on cars. After his father, Jake, passed away a few years ago, he became a strong support for his mother, Susan, and was always willing to help others.

“If he saw someone in need, he would help,” Gaby said. “He once saw a woman having car trouble outside our house and helped her fix her brakes. He was always doing good deeds and leaving an amazing impression.”

She remembered with a soft laugh that when they first met, “he was kind of a troublemaker, and we were really young. But throughout the years, we just became closer and closer. He was my best friend.” The couple would have celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this coming January.

Gaby said their children are each coping differently: “Sebastian’s trying really hard to be strong. Serenity doesn’t quite understand. Sophia doesn’t either. Ariel is really sad and grieving.”

To support the family, Maryann Gonzalez, Tyler’s sister-in-law, organized a GoFundMe campaign that has raised more than $15,000. The donations will go toward funeral expenses, a memorial service, and ongoing support for the children.

“I didn’t even realize how many people Tyler knew and how many people care for us,” Gaby said. “It’s truly a beautiful thing.”