Kyle Bell, executive chef at Forepaugh’s in St. Paul, died suddenly last week after battling the flu. He was 32.

The restaurant paid tribute to Bell, who has been the chef at Forepaugh’s for more than five years, on its Facebook page Wednesday. A GoFundMe page was set up earlier this week for Bell’s wife, Sarah, and the couple’s two young children, Stormy, 3, and Maurice, 3 months.

“Last Friday morning we unexpectedly lost my nephew, Kyle Bell. He was battling the flu and passed away suddenly in the early hours. At 32 years old, you never expect this to happen,” the GoFundMe page says. “He was first and foremost a father. An amazing Dad to 3-year-old Stormy and just recently to 3-month-old Maurice. And he was with them both until the moment he left us. He was a fiercely devoted husband, father, son, brother, nephew and friend. … He leaves behind his wife, Sarah, along with Stormy and Maurice and all the long-term needs that a family as such will need.”

Before arriving at Forepaugh’s, Bell had worked in Twin Cities kitchens that included McCormick & Schmick’s in downtown Minneapolis and Mozza Mia in Edina. On the Forepaugh’s Facebook page, his colleagues remembered Bell as talented and unflappable in the kitchen. Related Articles Restaurant updates: Jameson’s Irish Bar debuts, Tria and others reopen for dining

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“We were blessed with Kyle’s passion, calm demeanor, leadership, resilience and craft (and Asian sliders!) for 5+ years here at Forepaugh’s,” the post says. “Rest in Peace, Kyle Bell.”

A visitation is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and a second visitation is set from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday.

The Friday visitation will be followed by a ceremony at 11 a.m. The visitation and ceremony will take place at Washburn-McReavey Funeral Chapel, 2301 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis. A gathering will be held at Forepaugh’s Restaurant, 276 Exchange St. S. in St. Paul, after the ceremony.

To visit the GoFundMe page, go to gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-kyle-bell.