Alfred Bjornoos

Alfred “Al” Bjornoos, 85 year old resident of Randall, MN passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at the Randall Presbyterian Church in Randall, MN with Rev. Robert Bellin officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Tuesday at the church. Burial will be at 12:30 PM on Friday, July 8th the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Military Rites will be conducted by the Randall VFW Post #9073. Alfred (Al) Lee Bjornoos was born on July 11, 1925 in Randall, MN. After completing school, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps for a few years before heading out to Seattle to work in the shipyards. Al enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served in the South Pacific, most notably on Guadalcanal and Bougainville, as an Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd Class. He completed his tour of active duty in 1946 and spent an additional 8 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves. While in the Reserves, he attended Dunwoody Institute where he became an electrician, and later went on to become a Master electrician. In 1947 he married Maxine Oothoudt of the Randall area. Al and Maxine lived in Stillwater, MN until 1959, when they moved back to Randall to raise their children. Al worked as an electrician until retiring in 1987. He was on the Randall Volunteer Fire Department for many years, was a member of the Randall VFW and the Masons, and was also a Boy Scout troop leader. He and Maxine served as campground hosts at different campgrounds for over 10 years. Al enjoyed woodcarving and carpentry, and could fix most anything. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, fishing and hunting. He was always looking for agates to cut and polish to make into beautiful jewelry for his family. Al loved photography and developing his own black and white photos. Later he began videotaping family events. Al always loved trying new gadgets and eventually became an enthusiastic laptop computer user. Al passed away peacefully in St. Cloud, MN on June 22, 2011 surrounded by family, friends and much love. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Maxine, daughter Deb (Bjornoos) Sing and husband Steve of Sidney, Montana, son Bob Bjornoos and wife Cathy of Cambridge, Minnesota, and son Pat Bjornoos of Randall. Al will also be missed by his grandchildren Amara Sing, Jenna Sing, Joe Bjornoos, Russell Gilliam, and Janelle Gilliam, and by other family members and many, many friends. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Ole & Mary (Kestner) Bjornoos; sisters, Pearl, Alva, Audrey and Betty; brother, Robert; and step-father, Ed Karhula.

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Alfred Bjornoos

July 11, 1925 - June 22, 2011