Alvin Baumgartner
The service will be livestreamed below starting at 8:45 AM.
Alvin Baumgartner, 89, Fargo, ND passed away on Monday, December 14, 2020 in Sanford Health in Fargo. He was born on May 5, 1931 in Strasburg, ND to Frank and Mary (Stach) Baumgartner. He grew up on the family farm near Strasburg.
He enlisted in the US Navy on August 27, 1952 and served on the USS Charles H. Roan and earned National Defense and Good Conduct Medals. Following his discharge in 1955, he returned to North Dakota.
On November 10, 1953 he was united in marriage to Kathryn Lacher in LaMoure, ND. They moved to Wahpeton, ND in 1954 where Al attended school at the Wahpeton State School of Science. The couple then moved to Fargo in 1959 where they made their home and raised their six children.
He worked as a welder at Larson Welding and Machinery in Fargo for many years where he became involved with the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion. Al was employed as a maintenance engineer at Cass Clay Creamery until his retirement in 1996.
Al was a longtime member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus. He was also an active member in many service clubs such as the VFW, Moose Lodge, Catholic War Veterans, and the Fargo AmVets. He played in the local dart league.
Al was a custom welder, avid gardener, gopher hunter, and a lucky gambler. He was a universal blood donor and donated gallons of blood in his lifetime. Al enjoyed taking care of all of the family’s beloved pets. He served as a scout master and was a foster parent for many years.
Al was very involved in his children and grandchildren’s activities.
He is survived by children, Greg (Jenny), Sheila, Pat, Mike, Michelle (Tim) Ringdahl, Annette; grandchildren, Michael, Monty, Alex, Nick, Ryan, Gabi, Miki, Sarah; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Freya, and Emma; five sisters; numerous nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and twelve siblings.
There will be a memorial service at 9:00 AM on Friday, July 16, 2021 at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo with a visitation one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home’s website. He will be interred at Fargo National Cemetery with his wife, Kathryn.
To sign the online guestbook and view the service, visit www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.
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I knew Al had passed awhile ago; but, at 89, it certainly appears he had a full life. I especially remember Al from the steel dart days. Al had a strategy that way a bit odd, but could be very successful. If his team won the toss and Al was first, he invariably threw at 18s which did not follow the rules of darts as, I suspect, 18 was apparently his favorite number. When he was successful, hitting two or more 18s, it would throw off the strategy of his opponents and frustrate them, more often than not leading to a victory in that game. A good man has passed.
My uncle Al was one of the best. He was always engaged with his nieces and nephews – telling jokes, throwing darts, playing cards, etc. He was the guy that would do anything he could to help you out. I miss his signature laugh. He called my Scotty like a few of my cousins did. He was always generous with his awesome sausage and kuchen. So many wonderful memories and that’s how it should be when remembering my uncle Al. True riches are the measure of one’s bank account, but the fond lasting memories of those lives one touched.
Deepest sympathies to the Baumgartner family.
With love,
Scott Lacher and family