Alvin Henry KALVIG

KALVIG, ASBE, GETHMANN, CAROL, THOMPSON, HARRENSTEIN, HEGLAND, HAMLIN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/10/2012 at 20:07:16

May 15, 1932 ---- August 6, 2012

Alvin Henry Kalvig -- U.S. Veteran

Alvin Henry Kalvig, 80, of Blackduck died on Monday, August 6, 2012 at St. Mary’s Care Center in Winsted, Minnesota. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at the First Presbyterian Church of Blackduck with the Rev. Tom Reagan officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 10th from 5:00- 7:00 P.M. at the Cease Family Funeral Home of Blackduck and one hour prior to the service at the church. Full military honors will be provided by American Legion Post #372 of Blackduck. Interment will be at the Norway Cemetery in Kanawha, Iowa.

Al was born on May 15, 1932 in Thompson, Iowa, the son of Elmer and Elma (Asbe) Kalvig. Al grew up in an active family with six other brothers and sisters. He helped his parents in the many businesses they owned or operated, including a restaurant, movie theater, and construction business. Al was a proud member of 3 state tournament baseball teams for the Kanawha High School Bulldogs. The 1948 Fall Iowa State Champions, the 1947 Fall Runner-ups and the 1948 summer runner-ups. Al hit one of the longest home runs anyone had ever recalled seeing hit for that team, and it gradually increased in distance each time he fondly recalled the story. He graduated from High School in 1950 in Kanawha, Iowa. He enlisted with the US Navy in 1951 and served aboard the USS Estoria and USS Balduck in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on Nov. 15, 1955 with the rank of SK 2. Al’s military service joined that of his father and two brothers who also served in World War I, World War II. In his final years, Al wrote a short history book (A Sailor’s Journey) of his Navy service and time in Far East, a copies of which he proudly gave to his children and to the local library in Blackduck. Upon military discharge Al attended Waldorf College for one semester and then attended the American Institute of Business in Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in 1957 with a degree in Business.

Al married Doris Gethmann on February 14, 1959 in Kanawha. Doris and Al began their family in West Des Moines, Iowa in 1960, with the birth of the first of four children. He was employed as an office manager in the heating and cooling business, and in the drywall business from 1958 - 1966. In 1967 he became the comptroller for Target Ready Mix of Des Moines, Iowa. In 1968 he was employed by the CPA firm, Merriweather- Wilson of Des Moines doing auditing and tax work. In 1972, he and his wife purchased the Hide Out Resort in Pennington, Minnesota, which they owned and operated for 5 seasons. Al passed along his love of fishing and being on the quiet waters of northern Minnesota to his children. In 1974 Al began an accounting and tax practice in Blackduck, operating under the name Kalvig & Associates. Through his business Al was active in civic, commercial, and agricultural development in and around the community of Blackduck. He was a past president of the Blackduck C & C. In 1994 Al sold his business to his son Dwight. Al was very proud of the business he built from just a briefcase and adding machine, the many professional and personal relationships built through the business, knowing that he helped thousands of individuals and businesses over the years with their tax matters and financial well-being, and the fact he could pass the business on to his son, Dwight.

Al formally retired in 1998, moving to Arizona City, Arizona. He resided in Arizona until his health forced him to return to Blackduck, MN in 2004. Al was diagnosed with Dementia/Alzheimers in 2005. He managed to live independently until moving to the Good Samaritan Society of Blackduck in 2010 and had recently moved to the Lighthouse, a memory care unit, in Waconia, MN. Al enjoyed the game of baseball and was active in coaching both of his sons in Little League. He was also on the Blackduck Summer Baseball Board of Directors and was instrumental in the development of the Little League fields in Blackduck in the early 80's. Al was an avid and passionate golfer, enjoying the game as often as possible. He appreciated playing the local courses in Blackduck, Turtle River, and Bemidji. He served on the Bemidji Town and Country Club Board of Directors during the 1990's. Al was baptized and raised Lutheran. During his lifetime he attended and was active in churches of various denominations. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church in Blackduck and served on the council at Sonland Lutheran Church while residing in Arizona. Al possessed a strong Christian faith and loved sharing it with others. He became a member at Faith Lutheran Church in Blackduck in 2009. Al was a member of the Gideons serving during the 1980's and 1990's. Al was a member of the Blackduck American Legion Post #372. Al enjoyed reading books on history, especially about WWII and studying his Bible. He loved movies from the 1940's and 1950's, especially musicals, westerns, war stories and comedies. He was the Dale Carnegie Sales Talk Champion in 1966. Anytime that Al could spend with his grandchildren was always cherished. He loved his four children and was proud of their careers and accomplishments. Al supported his children through his attendance at the many functions, events, and activities they were involved with over the years, by offering advice and encouragement, and by making sure all four of them had the opportunity for a post-secondary education, something not offered to everyone of his generation. Al always said, "These golden years are nothing more than tarnished brass." He rarely complained or expressed any regrets over his health. He accepted his situation and made the best of what life offered. He always felt blessed by God and thanked Him everyday.

Al is survived by 4 children, Dwight (Sandy) Kalvig of Blackduck, MN, Dawn Kalvig of Winsted, MN, Elizabeth Carol of Virginia, MN, and Kenneth (Rhonda) Kalvig of Kalispell, MT; 7 grandchildren, Kathryn Kalvig, Emilie Kalvig, April Thompson, Ashtyn Thompson, Allison Kalvig, Olivia Kalvig, and Erik Kalvig; 2 sisters, Deloris Harrenstein of Dubuque, IA and Elaine Hegland of Ames, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Doris in 2006; his parents; 3 brothers, Jerry, Elmer "Swede", and Darrel Kalvig; and his sister, Naomi Hamlin.