Alphonse "Al" Hartung

Alphonse C. “Al” Hartung, age 84 of Avon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at his home in Avon, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna with Rev. Gregory Mastey officiating. Interment will be held in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Anna.  Parish prayers will be held at 4 p.m. followed by the Christian Mothers at 5 p.m. Wednesday evening at the church.

Al was born August 2, 1936 to George Sr. and Elizabeth (Lang) Hartung in Krain Township on the family farm southwest of Holdingford. He was the youngest of 5 children. He helped out on the farm and later on started a job at Franklin (Electrolux,) which he worked for over 35 years.

He married Elizabeth (Betty) Thell on September 10, 1966 at St Francis of Assisi Catholic church, St Francis, MN. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic church in St. Anna, Minnesota. He raised his five children on a hobby farm near Avon.

He loved the country life, from yard work and bird watching, to planting hundreds of trees. He enjoyed doing field work with his Farmall H tractor, growing enough sweet corn for his family, friends, and neighbors. He loved raising vegetables in his garden. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially the trips to Canada and Park Rapids with his sons. He liked listening to old time and country music on the local radio station. He always enjoyed getting together with family and friends, whether it was planned or just stopping by.

His Catholic faith and family were a very important part of his life. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Betty Hartung of Avon; children, James Hartung (Carrie Seanger) of St. Cloud, Gerald Hartung (Jana Mckinley-Sage) of Clear Lake, Michael (Cleo) Hartung of Park Rapids, Julie (Jeremiah) Wruck of St. Joseph, and Theresa (Jason) Schmidt of Byron; eight grandchildren, Jeremy, Brandon, Richard, Luke, Maria, Thomas, Clara, and Sarah; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ann Hartung of Holdingford and Lorraine Hartung of Avon.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Virginia Eickoff; and brothers, Cyril, Stephen, and George Jr.

Serving as casket bearers will be Gerald Hartung, Michael Hartung, Thomas Hartung, Luke Hartung, Jim Hartung, and Jeremiah Wruck. Cross bearer will be Kristine Blonigen and scripture bearer will be Julie Wruck. The reader will be Cleo Hartung.