1927
Alvin
2019
Alvin H. Firl
September 25, 1927 — December 31, 2019
Alvin Herbert Firl, 92, of Red Wing passed away at Rochester West Health Services in Rochester, MN, on December 31, 2019. Al was born on September 25, 1927, in Red Wing to parents Max and Henrietta (Diercks) Firl. He grew up as the second oldest of 13 children on the family farm in Hay Creek and attended school in Red Wing. Al joined the US Navy in September 1945 and served as a fire control technician on the USS Prairie and the USS Lyman K. Swenson. He was part of the Occupational Forces in Japan after World War II. He was discharged in September 1948, enlisted in the Naval Reserve in April 1950, and recalled into active service from September 1950 to April 1954 serving aboard the USS Yarnall, USS Piedmont, and USS Hanna. Al was a member of the American Legion.
One of Al's first jobs upon returning from the war was a police officer in Red Wing. Al worked from 1948 to 1950 as an auto body mechanic at McCoy & Curran at the Dodge car dealership in Red Wing.
Al was united in marriage to Lois Plifka on December 16, 1950, in Red Wing. He worked at Central Research for 32 years. He was most proud of the trips he made to Florida to deliver remote manipulator arms to the NASA space program. He retired as a production foreman. Al raised watermelons on a farm on Prairie Island for many years and built the family cabin on Lower Turtle Lake in northern Wisconsin. Al was also an avid trout fisherman.
Al is survived by his son Allen (Jan) of Rochester, MN, daughter Holly (Kris) Larsen of Spooner, WI, and daughter Linda (Jon) Nibbe of Shakopee, MN; six grandchildren, Janelle (Tim) Bonnes and Allison Firl of Rochester, MN, Torben (Livia) Larsen and Bjørn Larsen of La Crosse, WI, Steven (Andrea) Nibbe of Richfield, MN, and Jason Nibbe of Shakopee, MN; and five great-grandchildren, Morgan Bonnes, Kyle Bonnes, Johan Larsen, Alrik Larsen, and McKenna Nibbe. He is also survived by his brothers, Kenneth (Marcy) of Onalaska, WI, Dale of Eagan, MN, Rodney (Carolyn) of Sammamish, WA, John of Rochester, MN, and Dean (Jean) of Andover, MN; his sisters Marlene Moosmann of Stewartville, MN, Mary Louise (Ron) Olson of Stewartville, MN, and Marlys (Dave) Kahl of New York Mills, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2013, his parents, his infant sister Marie Grace; his brothers and sisters-in-law Duane and Lucy, Leslie and Lois, Don and Veryl; his brother-in-law Jack Moosmann; his sister-in-law and her husband June and Dale Veith.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2020, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
One of Al's first jobs upon returning from the war was a police officer in Red Wing. Al worked from 1948 to 1950 as an auto body mechanic at McCoy & Curran at the Dodge car dealership in Red Wing.
Al was united in marriage to Lois Plifka on December 16, 1950, in Red Wing. He worked at Central Research for 32 years. He was most proud of the trips he made to Florida to deliver remote manipulator arms to the NASA space program. He retired as a production foreman. Al raised watermelons on a farm on Prairie Island for many years and built the family cabin on Lower Turtle Lake in northern Wisconsin. Al was also an avid trout fisherman.
Al is survived by his son Allen (Jan) of Rochester, MN, daughter Holly (Kris) Larsen of Spooner, WI, and daughter Linda (Jon) Nibbe of Shakopee, MN; six grandchildren, Janelle (Tim) Bonnes and Allison Firl of Rochester, MN, Torben (Livia) Larsen and Bjørn Larsen of La Crosse, WI, Steven (Andrea) Nibbe of Richfield, MN, and Jason Nibbe of Shakopee, MN; and five great-grandchildren, Morgan Bonnes, Kyle Bonnes, Johan Larsen, Alrik Larsen, and McKenna Nibbe. He is also survived by his brothers, Kenneth (Marcy) of Onalaska, WI, Dale of Eagan, MN, Rodney (Carolyn) of Sammamish, WA, John of Rochester, MN, and Dean (Jean) of Andover, MN; his sisters Marlene Moosmann of Stewartville, MN, Mary Louise (Ron) Olson of Stewartville, MN, and Marlys (Dave) Kahl of New York Mills, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2013, his parents, his infant sister Marie Grace; his brothers and sisters-in-law Duane and Lucy, Leslie and Lois, Don and Veryl; his brother-in-law Jack Moosmann; his sister-in-law and her husband June and Dale Veith.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2020, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service. Burial with military honors will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com
Visitation
JAN 3. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home - Bodelson-Mahn Chapel602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
Funeral Service
JAN 3. 11:00 AM (CST)
Mahn Family Funeral Home - Bodelson-Mahn Chapel602 Plum St
Red Wing, MN, 55066
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