Albert Carrette

Albert was born on November 19, 1919, the fourth child of Henri Carrette and Elisa Van Nevel in Hansbeke, Belgium. With the sponsorship of Cyriel and Erma DePestel, Albert immigrated to the United States in January 1947 and made Taunton, MN his new home. Albert began farming by renting and later bought the DePestel farmstead in 1962 and remained there until 1985 upon retirement. Albert loved the land. He loved working the land through farming and gardening. Albert was a steward of the land and all of God’s creation. He also loved fishing, hunting, planting trees and enjoyed the Belgian games of rolle bolle and the card game of “bien.” Albert married Rachel Dhaenens of Aalter, Belgium, on December 27, 1948. Seven children were born to that marriage: Larry, Diane, Linda, Laurie, Deb, Mark and Paul. Albert was an active member of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church serving as trustee, lector, CCD teacher, Holy Name member, and Knights of Columbus member. When Albert came to America, he only knew the Belgian language; he felt most at home while at church because the service was in Latin just as it was in Belgium. Among the survivors are his wife of 58 years, Rachel, of Taunton, daughters Diane Tuttle and her husband, James of Portland, OR; Linda Sjurseth of Taunton, MN; Laurie Carrette Zook and her husband, Michael of Omaha, NE; Deb Goblirsch and her husband, Gary of Apple Valley, MN; and a son Paul Carrette and his wife, Anita of Dell Rapids, SD; 14 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, one brother, Antoine Carrette of Hansbeke, Belgium. He was preceded in death by infant son Larry, son Mark, one brother and two sisters.