Alfred G. Vogel

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Abbey Church in Collegeville for Alfred G. Vogel, age 83 of Avon who passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at the St. Cloud Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Reverend Eugene McGlothlin, OSB will officiate. Burial with military honors will be at the parish cemetery.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the St. John the Baptist Parish Center in Collegeville and after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Parish prayers will be at 4:00 p.m. followed by the St. Joseph American Legion Post #328 and Father Werner Council #7057 Knights of Columbus at 7:00 p.m. at the parish center in Collegeville. Arrangements were by the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Joseph.

Al was born on July 21, 1925, in Waite Park, Minnesota, to Aloys and Romana (Heurung) Vogel. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1943 where he played football and was a champion boxer. He played softball for the city league. In his younger years, Al, also, played the tuba in the National Youth Administration Band and later at Cathedral High School. He served in the Army Air Corp from 1943 to 1946 serving during World War II. Al married his high school sweetheart, Elaine Mills, on May 7, 1947, in St. Anthony’s Rectory. During high school, and after he returned from serving his country, Al worked for Bloomer and Schwartz. In 1949 he became a driver/salesman for American Linen where he spent the next 38 years. He loved his customers!

For many years Al was a league bowler for Central Lumber Company and later for Porwoll Electric. Al loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. He was a great storyteller and enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino. He was an avid card player. He waited each year for deer hunting with his son and brother in the Baudette area. He liked both summer and winter fishing, but ice fishing had a slight lead. He loved cutting wood with his son. He was a great sport/outdoor enthusiast.

Al was a charter member of the Father Werner Council #7057 Knights of Columbus; past commander and adjutant of the St. Joseph American Legion Post #328; 40 & 8; member of Eagles Aerie #622; member of: Catholic Aid, National Catholic Society of Foresters, member of the Associates Giving Program of Saint John’s Abbey and University. He served as the first Parish Council President at Saint John the Baptist Church and one of the first readers in the parish. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Collegeville Community Credit Union.

Al enjoyed his travels with Elaine to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, Washington, New York, Branson, and their trip to Alaska with Helen and Bill Braun.

Al is survived by his loving wife Elaine of 62 years. Children: Patricia Ann (Chris) Zimmerman, St. Cloud; Daniel Alfred (Kris) Vogel, Avon. Grandchildren: Mathew (Jennie) Zimmerman, St. Cloud; Molly Vogel (James) Mann, Macon, Georgia; Megan (Nate Corrieri) Zimmerman, St. Cloud, and Garrett Vogel, Avon. Siblings: Mary (Wally) Backes, Cold Spring; Jane Palmersheim and Louis Vogel, both of St. Cloud.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters: Marcella Theis, Leora Winkelman, Lorraine Preusser and infant sister, Barbara Ann; brothers: Richard, Ralph, Raymond, and Robert.

Special thanks to the staff at the Saint Cloud VA Medical Center – Building 50, first floor! You could travel the world over and never would you find a more caring, devoted, knowledgeable, and loving staff!