Aloysius Salwei

Aloysius “Al” J. Salwei, 78, a resident of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, died Sunday, January 8, 2012 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. He was born June 21, 1933, in Zeeland, North Dakota, the son of Kasper and Magdalena (Aberle) Salwei. He attended grade school in Zeeland. He lost his parents at an early age, and moved to Crystal, North Dakota to live with his brothers, Joe and John. He graduated from Crystal High School in 1951. He furthered his education at Aakre’s Business College, the University of North Dakota, and the Gale Institute in Minneapolis. On August 7, 1954, he married Arliss Stubson at Camp Gordon in Augusta, Georgia. He served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1954-1956, during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Garmisch, Germany. Al began his 45 year railroad career in North Dakota with the Great Northern Railroad, and then the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad, ending in Fergus Falls, where he has resided since 1967. During this time Al always had a second job, including Premium Sales, bookkeeper at Galena Plumbing and Heating, Electrolux Sales, Shaklee Sales, and was gambling manager at the VFW for many years. Al retired in 1997. He moved to the Pioneer Home in September of 2009, and the Minnesota Veterans Home in May of 2010. He and his family were very appreciative of all his wonderful care. He was a member of the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars, Elks, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church. Al enjoyed golfing, pinochle, woodworking, camping, and spending time with family and friends. He was known for his “Big Laugh”. Preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers, Peter, Kasper, Mike, George, Joe and John, and sisters, Lena and Mary. Survivors include his wife, Arliss Salwei of Fergus Falls; his children: Kelly (Jennifer) Salwei and their children Paige, Matthew and Nicholas, of Chaska, Kari (Doug Olson) Hrncir, Lindsey and Lance of Hoffman, Korey (Kim) Salwei and their children Jared and Jordan of Moorhead and Fergus Falls, Kent (Michelle) Salwei, and their children Samuel, Kaitlyn and Maggie of Fergus Falls, Kristi (Dave) Kugler and their children Josephine and Haley of Fergus Falls, and Kathy (Steve) Swanson and their children Hannah and Tyler of Brookings, SD; two great-grandchildren, Avery and Sonny; a brother Andy; sisters Regina and Lorraine; and many nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 12, 2012, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls Clergy: Father Greg Paffel Interment: St. Otto’s Cemetery in Fergus Falls Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.