Sauk Rapids
Dec. 14, 1928 – March 17, 2009
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sauk Rapids, for Alfred “Al” A. Maier who died Tuesday at St. Cloud Hospital. Visitation will be on Friday, March 20th from 4-8 p.m. at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, St. Cloud and also on Saturday after 10 a.m. at the church. Reverend Ronald Weyrens will officiate. Burial will be at Annunciation Parish Cemetery, Mayhew Lake, MN.
Al was born on December 14, 1928 at the St. Cloud Hospital to August “Gus” and Alma Maier. On June 10, 1953, Al married Shirley M. Kessler at St. Michaels Church in Buckman, MN. Al and Shirley raised their five sons on a farm in Graham Township in Benton County. Besides the farm, Al developed a trucking business that he and Shirley operated for over 30 years. They sold the trucking business and Al became “semi-retired”. Al served as a field representative in the dairy industry for several years; he also worked as a driver with Larson Bus Service. Al was also very proud to have served for over twelve years on the Board of Directors for the East Central Electric Cooperative; and this highlighted by the fact that his father “Gus” also served on the Boards in the 1940’s. Al led a fairly diverse life; some of his favorite hobbies over the years included being a private pilot. Learning to fly was a childhood dream, and even though a couple of landings were “rough,” Al often joked that any landing you can walk away from was a good landing. Al also enjoyed the many years he and Shirley were active in the Pantowner’s Antique Auto Club. Al served as President of the club in 1997 and was always honored to be part of the organization; he and Shirley felt blessed to be part of the Pantowner’s and to have so many wonderful friends.
Al survived many physical challenges, including strokes, West Nile Virus, and a handful of other set backs that come with life, but he grew to cherish time with his family and friends... and especially his grandchildren. His stories will live through his “five-good-boys”.
Survivors include his wife of almost 56 years, Shirley, sons Tom (Allison) in Pittsburgh, PA, Dan in Denver, CO, John in Atlanta, GA, Paul (Julie) in Eagan, MN, and Ray in St. Cloud, MN, four grandchildren, Zak and Hannah in Denver, CO, and Amanda and McKenna in Eagan, MN, sisters, Mary Zlock and Elaine Kaeter both of St. Cloud.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Alma, and sister, Ruth Pallansch.
St. Cloud Times
March 19, 2009
