Alan “Al” Dean Lundeen, 65

Alan “Al” Dean Lundeen, 65, passed away peacefully at home in Fosston MN

on November 18, 2023.

A Celebration of Life/Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm on

Sunday, December 17, 2023 at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad MN with a

memorial service to follow. (Service will be live streamed on the First

Lutheran Church Facebook page)

Al was born March 17, 1958 in St. Cloud MN to Melvin and Carol (Thorson)

Lundeen. He was the eldest of three children. He attended elementary

school in South Haven MN and high school in Annandale MN where he

graduated with honors in 1976. Al worked alongside his parents at

Lundeen OK Hardware during school. After graduating high school he

attended Northwest Technical College in Wadena MN for Telephone

Technology, graduating in 1977 at the top of his class.

On August 1, 1977, Al moved to Karlstad MN and went to work for Wikstrom

Telephone Company (Wiktel) where he was employed for 46 years, until his

passing. Al valued his job and took pride in his dedication,

contributions, and accomplishments to Wiktel and the entire telephone

industry. He also served on the Minnesota Telecom Alliance Board of

Directors for seven years.

Al had a very large presence in the City of Karlstad and the surrounding

communities. He was Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for

32 years, served on the Airport Commission, and was a Former School

Board Member for Tri-County Schools, including 4 years as Vice Chair.

He was a volunteer firefighter on the Karlstad Fire department for over

25 years including seven years as Fire Chief. During some of his time

with the fire department he was a State of MN Firefighting Instructor.

On June 20, 1981 Al married Bonnie Swanson and from this union two

children were born, Andrew and Morganne. They resided in Karlstad.

On August 8, 2008 Al was united in marriage to Melissah Puttbrese in

Halma MN and with this union came two bonus children, Samanthah and

Jacob. Al and Melissah spent their time between Karlstad Fosston and

Bullhead City AZ.

Al’s favorite pastimes included motorcycling, snowmobiling, fishing,

hunting, woodworking, traveling and spending time at his winter home in

Arizona. He loved and cherished most, spending time with his children

and grandchildren. His family always came first. He was someone who was

very generous and always willing to help out others. He will be fondly

remembered by his conversations, knowledge, smile and his extreme

kindness to all he came in contact with.

Al is survived by his wife, Melissah of Fosston MN/Bullhead City AZ;

children, Andrew (Anna) Lundeen of Karlstad MN, Morganne (Kenrick)

Anderson of Becker MN, Samanthah Wesner of Karlstad MN and Jacob (Ali)

Anderson of Fargo ND. 5 grandchildren; Jessica, Thinh, Giana, Liam and

Finnegan. Sisters; Linda (Kevin) Caird of St. Augusta MN and Lisa

(Allen) Hechtel of South Haven MN, and many nieces, nephews, aunts,

uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father Melvin, mother Carol, grandparents

Elmer and Esther Lundeen and Palmer and Juanita Thorson, Mother-in-Law

Ruby Jean Torgerson, Father-in-Law Albert Puttbrese, nephew Steven John

Puttbrese Jr, aunts, uncles and his best friend, loyal companion and fur

dog Benny.

Burial will be at a later date.

Arrangements were entrusted to Austin Funeral Home of Hallock MN.