Alton F. Morken

RUSHFORD, MINN. - Alton F. "Al" Morken, 79, Rushford, died on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at his home. Alton F. Morken was born on August 17, 1928, in Rushford, Minn. to Eno and Laura (Scheil) Morken. He was raised in Rushford and graduated from Rushford High School in 1946. On December 16, 1950, he married Marlys Glende. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. Al worked with his father at E.G. Morken Service and Implement. He acquired the business in the late 1950's, and operated it until he sold it in 1969. Al worked for Sugar Loaf Ford in Winona, Minn., selling cars until his semi-retirement in 1986. He worked at Dahl's Auto Works in Rushford until he fully retired in 1993. Serving his local community was of great importance to Al. He was a member of Rushford Lutheran Church, where he served two terms and was President for one year, President of the Rushford Area Business Association for two years, member of the Rushford Lion's Club for thirty years, and served as president in 1961, Root River Trail Town's Organizational Committee for fifteen years of which he was president for two years, the Fillmore County Retarded Citizen's Association during the 1960's, where he was President for four years, the Rushford Business Development Organization Board for fifteen years, Rushford Historical Society President for fifteen years, Rushford American Legion and V.F.W. , Rushford Fire Department for sixteen years, four years in the Rushford City Council, serving two terms as Mayor, and Al was honored to be named as Mr. Rushford in 2005. Al enjoyed antiquing, collectable cars, spending summers boating and camping at Bass Camp, and spending time with his family, especially taking country drives with his grandchildren. Al is survived by his wife, Marlys; three sons: John (Dianne) Morken of Rushford, Paul Morken of Spring Grove, Minn., and Bruce (Traci) Morken of Winona, Minn.; one daughter, Marsha (Kevin) Mehus of Winona, Minn.; ten grandchildren: Melissa, John Paul, Katie, Michael, Laura, Christine, Mallory, Sam, Brooke, and Kelsey; six great-grandchildren: Ashley, Cael, Kadence, Brady, Micah, and Carson; and by two sisters: Lois (Chuck) Houge of Northfield, Minn., and Beth (Conway) Elton of Winona, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one son, Bill. There will be a memorial service for Al at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Rushford Lutheran Church with the Rev. Roger Michaelson officiating. Burial will be in the Rushford Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday at Hoff Funeral Homes - Rushford Chapel. Al's family prefers memorials to be directed to Winona Area Hospice or to the American Red Cross. Please feel free to sign Al's online guest book and leave a memory of him at www.hofffuneral.com