Allen L. Fortsch, Sr.

Known and dearly loved by many as the cigar smoking, stubborn old German, Al Fortsch lived with ways all his own. Al was a hardworking man who taught the value of hard working principles to his children. He served as an example with his tenacious spirit and stubborn, almost cantankerous nature, yet he was loved beyond compare by the family entrusted to his care. Deeply missed, Al lives on in the hearts of all who came to know and love him.The year 1931 saw difficult days as the Great Depression created a jobless rate of nearly four million. Even so, American's continued to be optimistic, and looked towards the future. Families across the nation were in awe as New York City opened the Empire State Building, and celebrated as the Star-Spangled Banner was adopted as the U.S. national anthem. James Cagney, Will Rogers and Jean Harlow lit up the movie screens while Frankenstein made its movie debut. Yet nestled in the small, rural community of Oran, Iowa on Wednesday, September 30, 1931, Allen "Al" L. Fortsch was one of five children born to his parents, Harold and Alice (Ford) Fortsch.Young Al enjoyed a childhood typical of his generation despite the lasting effects of the Great Depression. With his strong German heritage and with two brothers and two sisters to contend with, Al was a real practical joker as a kid. One time he filled a paper bag with manure, lit it on fire and proceeded to set it on someone's doorstep as he stood back and enjoyed watching the residents stamp it out! Another time he filled the manure spreader with corn cobs and drove down Main Street in Readlyn unloading it. What a mess it made, but Al thought it was pretty funny, indeed!Having attended the local schools, Al went on to graduate from the Readlyn High School Warriors with the Class of 1949. Following high school and for a brief time he lived in Seattle, Washington where he worked for Boeing Aircraft. With his heart back home in Readlyn, Al soon returned to Iowa and began his career in livestock buying and selling. He settled in the nearby town of Strawberry Point where he rented an upstairs room located in the Franklin Hotel.As fate would have it, Al met the young woman he would come to spend the rest of his days with while living at the hotel. Claudette Moine worked as a waitress in the hotel restaurant, and the two soon hit it off. They dated for a time, became sweethearts and fell deeply in love. On October 2, 1961 and just days following his 30th birthday, Al and Claudette were united in marriage. Before long they began a family of their own, eventually raising nine children, Allen Jr., Alanna, Jim, Jeff, Charla, Carolee, Jerry, Jana, and Chad.In 1965 Al moved his family to the state of Minnesota where he continued to work in the livestock industry. Always hard working, when his children were young Al worked many, long hours to meet the needs of his growing family. Although generous, he was known to be cranky and irritable a good deal of the time, and his kids knew well to stay out of his way when needed! In his home he expected his children to have chores, and as soon as they were able he encouraged them to work. He instilled in his family the importance of a good work ethic and taught them well by way of example in this regard.Al was a man who, with ways all his own, lived for his family. He had his own, unique style, like always wearing one pant leg in his cowboy boot and one pant leg out. He spent his free time enjoying and watching the Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves play. A good day for Al was any day he was buying cattle, but he always claimed the best day of his life would be when the Vikings would win the Super Bowl!Spending time with his family, listening to polka music, and firing up a good cigar made Al the happiest, although working was a close second! Al loved his stogies. He was better known as, "cigar smoking Al" to his good friend, Ernie Reck, and he used to smoke robust Dutch Masters President's until he started chewing them instead.Claudette remained at home with her children and also ran a daycare out of their home. When Al was around, especially after retiring, her daycare kids referred to Al as "Grandpa Al" which he loved. He liked having them join him as he cranked up the polka music on his car radio. When his own grandchildren came along, there wasn't anything that brought Al greater joy than bouncing the kids on his knee to the beat of polka music. He thoroughly enjoyed having his grandkids around and as he mellowed with years, he lovingly took time with them.In recent months, Al spent most of his time in his recliner watching ball games. He continued to slow down, and suffered from several health issues, with his wife Claudette and son Jerry giving him his needed care. This last Christmas was one to remember as it was Al's last. Surrounded by the family he loved, he received nothing other than a lot of his favorite cigars for Christmas. His beloved grandkids will now have to "fire up" and smoke them in loving memory of this special man in their lives.Although he was a "stubborn old German", Al Fortsch loved and met the needs of his family. He may not have always demonstrated his love in the most typical of ways, but he conveyed his love and devotion through his efforts in life, and in every way possible. Dearly loved and missed, his memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew Al best.Allen "Al" L. Fortsch, Sr., 84, of Lewiston died Monday, December 28, 2015 at his home. Survivors include his wife, Claudette; nine children: Allen (Gloria) Fortsch Jr. of Dover, Alanna (Tod) Kieffer of Utica, Jim Fortsch of St. Charles, Jeff (Teresa) Fortsch of Lewiston, Charla (Brian) Vick of Lewiston, Carolee (Roger) Bronk of Winona, Jerry Fortsch of Lewiston, Jana (Terry) Prigge of Winona, and Chad (Chris) Fortsch of LaCrescent, 22 grandchildren: Melissa, Andy, Holly, Cory, Ashley, Matt, Travis, Jordan, Marah, Jade, Kayla, Janelle, Zach, Grant, TJ, Adam, Cody, Elizabeth, Emily, Emma, Erin, and Ellie; three great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Jordyn and Jacob; three step great-grandchildren; his sister, Dorothy Brase; sister-in-law, Lou Fortsch; and many nieces and nephews. Al was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Glenroy (Emmy) Fortsch, Ervin Fortsch, Alice Ann Gumm; brother-in-law, Robert Brase; in-laws: Lula and Harry Tweed and Eugene Moine.A funeral Mass for Al will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, January 2, 2016 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston with the Reverend Glen Frerichs officiating. Friends may call at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church from 3-7 PM on Friday and 10-11 AM Saturday prior to the Mass. Internment will take place at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery in the spring. Please share a memory with Al's family and sign his online guestbook and view his video tribute when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service of Lewiston are assisting the family with arrangements.Thank you to the Lewiston Ambulance, Lewiston Police Department, Lewiston Fire Department and Winona Area Ambulance. Pallbearers: Grandson's; Andy Fortsch, Cory Fortsch, Matt Kieffer, Travis Kieffer, Jordan Fortsch, Zach Vick, Grant Vick, TJ Bronk, Adam Prigge, Cody Prigge. Honorary Pallbearers: Granddaughter's; Melissa Deml,, Holly Fortsch, Ashley Polzin, Marah Fortsch, Jade Fortsch, Kayla Roebke, Janelle Vick, Elizabeth Prigge, Emily Prigge, Emma Fortsch, Erin Fortsch & Ellie Fortsch.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/660391