Albert Viaene

Al was born on April 29, 1922, in Eidsvold Township to Cyriel and Juliana (Vanasta) Viaene. He farmed with his father near Taunton. In 1939, at age 16, Al moved with his family to a farm South of Cottonwood. In 1944, he married Delores “Stevie” Stevens at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in a double wedding ceremony with his sister Margaret and her fiancé, Leonard Wittry. Al and Stevie continued to live and farm there until 2000 when they moved to Cottonwood. In February of 2005, he moved to the Morningside Care Center . Al loved farming, deer and pheasant hunting, playing cards at Andy’s Pool Hall in Cottonwood and playing fast-pitch softball for many years with several teams. After quitting softball at age 47, he took up Rolle-Bolle and won many prizes at tournaments over the years. At one of the first International Rolle Bolle Tournaments held at the fairgrounds, the team of Al, Harvey Brosseau and Emil Matthys won second place against a very tough team from Illinois. Al continued to rolle bolle until his arthritis got the best of him. He also sold seed corn and soybeans for Dahlgren Seeds, Tomco and Paymaster Companies for many years. Al is survived by his wife, daughters Pat Schultz of Marshall, Janet (David) Fischer of Brooklyn Park, Linda (Len) Frey of Houston, TX, Lori (Bob) Van Moer of Marshall, Doris (Roger) Bauman of St. Michael, sons John (Jools ) Viaene of Annandale, VA, Robert (Laurie Hill) Viaene of Marshall, and Alan (Melissa) Viaene of Fergus Falls. He is also survived by his 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, sister Margret Wittry of Marshall and brother Andrew (Fran) of Cottonwood, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Paul, sister Marie Hoffman, nephew Larry Hoffman, brother-in-law Leonard Wittry. Memorials preferred to the St. Mary’s Church Building Fund in Cottonwood.