Worthington, MN
Albert G. Gleason passed away on May 6, 2011 at the age of 85 years, 3 months and 22 days.
Albert Gleason was born Albert G. Wagner on January 15, 1926 in Yankton, SD to parents Gottlieb and Anna Wagner. He lived in Yankton until the age of six when he went to the Orphans Home of South Dakota. He was then adopted by Charles and Wilhelmina Gleason of Idaho. He took their surname and many years later made it his legal name.
Albert enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1944 and was assigned to the Air Corps, where he became a tail gunner on B-29 bombers. He received demolition training and was also a munitions loader. He achieved the rank of corporal and received several awards. He was discharged in 1946.
Albert was united in marriage to Helen Marie MaGuire on February 13, 1954 in Pipestone, MN. They lived in several locations over the years and settled in Worthington, MN in 1966, where Al worked at Campbell Soup Co. and Worthington Hatchery. He also drove semi for Bayliner Boats before purchasing his own trucks in 1982 and leasing on with Sunderman Transport in Windom, MN and D&J in Sherburn, MN. He retired in 1989 at age 62 and then returned to work at age 65 part-time driving gravel trucks for Rupp Construction in Slayton, MN and went full-time at age 70. Al said there was only “so much fishing, so much television and so much fiddle farting a man could take” and preferred to work. He finally retired completely at the age of 80 due to health concerns.
Albert is survived by his children, Colleen Schipp of Lismore, MN, Daryl Gleason of Plant City, FL, Patricia Hotzler (Jeff) of Heron Lake, MN, and Duane Gleason of Worthington, MN; nine grandchildren, Micheal Shipp and his wife Mindy, Matthew Schipp, Mandy Schipp Carlson and her husband Jason, Ashley Gleason, Nathan Gleason, Adam Hotzler, Lucas Hotzler, Benjamin Hotzler and Samuel Gleason; two great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren. He is also survived by special friend, Jeanette Nelson and one sister, Marie Wagner. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, two sons, Dickie and Denny and one daughter, Thea, his parents and adopted parents, two brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 1:30 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN, with Brian Frodermann officiating. Casket bearers will be Adam Hotzler, Lucas Hotzler, Ben Hotzler, Michael Schipp, Matthew Schipp and Jason Carlson. Honorary bearers will be Angel Antil, Starr Antil, Randi Antil, Ryland Schipp, Ralph Anderson, Ashley Gleason, Nathan Gleason, Samuel Gleason, Gage Carlson, baby ?, Don Mueller and Sid Kruger. Burial will be held in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington.
