Alfred Koser, age 98, died peacefully in Florida on December 23, 2023, of natural causes surrounded by his loving family.

Born December 9, 1925, he was the son of Adolph and Otillia Koser. He spent his life in the Almena area where he was baptized, confirmed, and attended school. Alfred married Eileen Conrad March 11, 1947. They celebrated 75 years together during which they lovingly raised four children.

Drafted into the Army near the end of WWII, Alfred served in the Infantry, Company E, 7th Division, Korea, where war buddies became lifelong friends. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sargent. Alfred and Eileen ran a successful dairy farm until 1990 and he had a concurrent, successful 10-year sales career with Koser Silo Works. Upon retirement, Alfred and Eileen bought a home in Bradenton, Florida, and wintered there for over 30 years.

Throughout life Alfred was active in his community serving on the St. Matthew Church Council as well as the Range and AMPI boards. He was a member of the Barron Area School Board for over 20 years and of the Barron Hospital Board. Alfred served on the Barron County Historical Society Board, working on many projects for Pioneer Village. He also was a member of the Almena VFW for 76 years.

An avid and successful sportsman, Alfred hunted deer locally, moose in Canada, elk in Colorado, and both Kodiak bear and sheep in Alaska. In 1983, Alfred went on a three-week safari in Ethiopia. Fishing was an important part of his life from childhood into his eighties, especially the many trips to Canada and Alaska where he combined visiting his daughter with salmon and halibut fishing.

Alfred and Eileen made two trips to Germany/Austria/Italy, a visit to the British Isles, and a trip Scandinavia as well as a European farm tour. One memorable trip took him to China in 1994 when American visitors were less common. A man who loved children, his daughter relates watching little children gather around him as they put their tiny hands in his massive hands, touching his face and giggling in delight as he lifted them like an elevator climbing skyward.

Alfred will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his children Linda Koser (Joseph DeFrank), Sarasota, FL, Gail Koser Kathy Westerholt), Bradenton, FL, Jon Koser (Mary Mack), Saint Louis Park, MN, Sharon (Greg) Merle, Bradenton, FL, two sisters, Helen Nickel and Ruth Koser, and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Art.

Services will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Almena, on Friday, January 12 at 11 AM. Visitation will be held from 3 - 6 PM at Skinner Funeral Home in Cumberland on Thursday, January 11, and one hour prior to the service at church.

The family requests gifts in their father’s memory be directed to the St. Matthew Cemetery Fund, the Marshfield Medical Center Rice Lake Hospice Program, or Barron County Historical Society Pioneer Village, Cameron. Cards may be sent to the family in care of Jon Koser, 8213 Westwood Hills Curve, St. Louis Park, MN 55426.

Last Update: Jan 02, 2024 11:05 am CST