Allen Perius

allen perius
Allen F. (Al) Perius, 94, passed away on December 12, 2015 at Eventide Transitional Care Center in Moorhead, MN. Allen was born June 5, 1921 on a farm near Wales, ND to Ignatius and Mae (Thielen) Perius. He graduated from Hannah High School in 1939. In 1943, he married Ruth McDonald and the couple lived and worked on the family farm until 1945 when Allen began a forty-one year career with Cloverdale Foods-first, as a route supervisor in Mandan, ND and beginning in 1955, a district sales manager in Minot, ND. He retired in Minot in 1986. Allen was a member of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church in Minot, and was one of the founding members of its Parish Council. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks, Moose, and Lion’s Club. Allen was an avid and enthusiastic sports fan-especially enjoying basketball and football. His favorite season was fall because he always loved and enjoyed hunting with his friends. After retirement, he also loved golfing and playing pool with his friends as well. Allen had a talent and passion for woodworking, creating numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends. Many of his favorite hours were spent in the shop he built in his backyard. Survivors include: 2 daughters, Mary (Skip Ristvedt) Henjum, Buffalo, MN; and Jeanne Perius, Bismarck, ND; 4 grandchildren, Daniel (Janet) Henjum, St. Bonifacius, MN; Nancy Henjum and Maggie Henjum, both of Minneapolis, MN; and Juana Perius, Lincoln, ND; and 4 great-grandchildren; brother, James (Joan) Perius, Fargo, ND; 3 sisters, Marie Flynn, West Fargo, ND; Patricia (Gary) Robbins, Ontario, OR; and Marilyn Varney, Libertyville, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; his parents; 2 brothers, Howard and Glen; and sisters, Viola Meyerdirk and Geneva DeBord. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Eventide Transitional Care Center in Moorhead for the kind, loving care given to Allen during his stay with them.

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  1. I got to know Al , way back in the 70’s while working for Red Owl Stores in Minot ND . He was our Cloverdale salesperson and I was the cleanup and lunch meat boy in the meat dept. . Little did I know that Al and I’s paths would cross again over and over thru the years . As I advanced in my career Al was always there when I was a meat dept. manager and a meat buyer . Then came the day an opportunity opened up on the Cloverdale sales team and I applied for the job . I got the job , I’m sure with Al’s recommendation , and we had a great working relationship , until he retired in 1986 ( it just seems like yesterday ) . I even got to speak at his retirement party , which was a wonderful honor . My dad , who was in the grocery business for 52 years also knew Al and they were friends and business associates . Just a couple short memories of Al ;

    He had hands like catchers mitts . Biggest I ever saw .
    He had a great laugh .
    He was very dedicated to his job and customers .
    He and Ruth were a wonderful couple .
    He was an amazing wood worker . I saw his shop in his back yard .
    He loved to hunt and was a steward for wild life .
    Its not what you take with you when you leave this earth , its the memories you leave behind .
    Al , you left me a treasure trove of great memories .
    God bless the life and soul of Al . My thoughts and prayers go out to his family .
    Rest in peace ” Crazy Legs ” I will miss you . RS

  2. Though I knew Allen all of my life, I only really grew to appreciate him after he was about 80. My mother Viola was his older sister and a couple times a year Allen would come to Tacoma to visit and would stay for a few days. It was during these extended stays that I grew to know him better and to appreciate his warmth and friendly nature and especially his sense of humor. He had a great laugh and shared it readily. He loved my mom and dad very much and they had a great time together. It was during one of Allen’s last visits here that I will always remember him with a smile. I have a Audi TT – a rather small car and my mom had just gone to the hospital the night before so I stopped by their house and finding him there asked if he would like to go to visit her at the hospital with me. He said he would so we piled into my car for the ride there. Watching him get into that car was something that made us both laugh at the time and puts a smile on my face every time I think of it to this day. Watching it develop was like seeing a pretzel being twisted into shape. I had to help him get out of it at the hospital or I think he would still be there. And never anything but good natured kidding – mostly at himself. He loved to play games and drink a glass of wine or scotch with my folks and always had a story to tell and always with a smile. It is with that smile on his face that I will always remember him. Mary, Jeanne and your families, I wish to offer my deepest sympathy for the lose of your father. I am sure he is dearly missed already. John Meyerdirk


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