GEORGE JAMES ALBERT

He was born October 6, 1927 in Forest Lake, MN, to Henry and Ellen (Graf) Albert. The family moved to Caledonia in 1937 when his father purchased a family grocery store. George graduated from Loretto High School, Caledonia in 1944. He attended Notre Dame and then served with the U.S.Navy. On September 6, 1948, he married Marie Peter at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Marie preceded him death on January 4, 1988. He married Virginia Ernster October 22, 1989 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. After being discharged from the Navy in 1947 and moving back home, his dad woke him the next day at 6 am and said, "You got to go to work." And George continued working at Albert's Grocery for 53 years. George served the Caledonia Fire Department as being a member for 24 years, and Fire Chief for 9 years. He was named Father of the Year at St. Mary's Church and he was recognized as the Outstanding Senior Citizen in Houston County in 2003. George was a founding member of Concerned About River People, "CARP" in Brownsville. In his retirement he worked at Lawrence Lake Marina, Brownsville. He enjoyed his boathouse on the Mississippi and being captain of his boat, The Sea-Nyle, with his crew chief, Virginia. He was an avid Viking fan and was a season ticket holder since 1963. George died peacefully, July 14, 2014 with his family at his side at Caledonia Care and Rehab in Caledonia at the age of 86. He is survived by his loving spouse, Virginia of Caledonia; his 6 children, Tony (Maureen) Albert of Cornville, AZ, Nancy (Ole) Braaten of Viroqua, WI, Karen (Kevin) Kruse of Eitzen, MN, Daniel Albert of Spring Grove, MN, Mike (Tammy) Albert of Caledonia, and Gary (Adrienne) Albert of West Allis, WI; 12 grandchildren, Angee Albert, Jared, Tyler, and Jenna Denstad, Emily and Sarah Kruse, Laura (Isaac) Goetzinger, Hilary (Sam) Schultz, Danika Albert, Arie and Alyssa Albert, and Vincent Hartley; and 5 great grandchildren, Max, Shailey, and Mariah Wirtz, Quinn Denstad, and Connor Goetzinger. In addition to his wife, Marie, he was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Barb; a granddaughter, Jessica Quinn Denstad; his sisters, Doris Joyce, Alice Klug, Mary Ellen Marnach; and his brother, Bill Albert. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 on Friday, July 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Matt Fasnacht will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Thursday at Holy Family Hall, next to the church, where a rosary will be said at 7:30 pm. Visitation will also be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. In honor of George's service as a fireman, the family requests memorials be given to the Caledonia Fire Department, or a fire department of donor's choice.

GEORGE JAMES ALBERT

October 6, 1927 - July 14, 2014