Alan “Al” Fridgen
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On October 1, 2021 @ 1:07 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 6 Comments
Alan “Al” Fridgen, age 58 of Excelsior, MN, and formerly of Wheaton, MN, passed away on September 24, 2021.
A Gathering of Family & Friends will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (833 S. Marschall Rd.) in Shakopee on Friday, October 15, 2021 from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM with closing words and memory sharing at 2:00 PM. Family and friends can view a recording of the memory sharing at the following link: Al Fridgen Memory Sharing.
On May 22, 1963 in Wheaton, MN, parents Don and Margie Fridgen celebrated the birth of their son, Alan Don Fridgen. He was the youngest of their two children. Along with Janet, his big sister, Al loved exploring the outdoors and the surrounding areas of Wheaton. Growing up in a small town, Al always claimed he wanted to “go to the big city.” Despite later moving to the metro, Al always settled in smaller communities that reminded him of his small-town roots.
After graduating from Wheaton High School, Al attended North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND. He later worked as a mechanic at Len’s Sinclair (now Boulevard) in Hopkins, MN and Suburban Chevrolet in Eden Prairie, MN. Al was constantly tinkering in his garage and working on a project. A jack-of-all-trades, Al shared his handyman talents with others, frequently assisting his sister and other family members and friends with their home projects and car repairs. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand!
The most important part of Al’s life was his family. He was a loving and dedicated father, grandpa, son, and brother. Al’s life was enriched when he met Laura and her daughter, Anna. After some coaxing and bribing with Blue Juice (Gatorade), Anna eventually warmed up to Al. A few years later, their family grew with the birth of William. Given his non-judgmental and caring nature, Al was regarded as “everyone’s dad.” Al was especially proud to earn the title of Grandpa. He was present at the birth of his grandson, sharing encouraging words and supporting his family.
Despite life’s struggles, Al’s love for his family never wavered. He was kind and generous…unless you were about to drink the last of his Mt. Dew or take the last cigarette in his pack! He loved his family, friends, and his dog Carma.
Al is survived by his children, Anna Rupp and Will (Veonna) Fridgen; grandson, Lukas Fridgen; sister, Janet Fridgen; mother, Margie Fridgen; many other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his father, Don Fridgen.
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Margie, Janet and Alan’s Family… I am so sorry to hear that Alan has passed away. I have many fond memories of him and your family way back in the day with Spirit of ‘76 4-H c,but adventures and Wheaton High School. He did love fixing and repairing old trucks! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Margie, Janet, & Family –
I just read of your loss! May God put his loving arms around you at this time. It has been way too many years since we enjoyed Alan’s company, sense of humor, and friendship in school, in our 4-H club, etc. Sounds like he lived fully in his gone-too-soon life.
I am so sad I will not be able to be there for you on the 15th! I will keep you all in my prayers!
I wish to extend my condolences to Alan’s family and to offer my prayers. I remember him fondly as we both grew up in the Wheaton/Dumont area.
Margie, Janet, & Family,
Al was like a brother to me as we were growing up. We practiced our high school knowledge of mechanics as we tinkered on his green Ford pickup. I helped him work on a 4-H project, running boards through the table saw. We had great fun driving his go kart tractor up and down the ditch and through the trees until we hit something hard and bent the drive pulley. I was there when he bought his car in Morris, a blue Malibu Classic. We also had beers together at the weekend watering hole in Rosholt. Yes Al, you were a brother to me, and I’ll miss not being able to make any new memories with you. I leave you with a song that a band from our younger years played. It is from “The Cars” and called “Let the Good Time Roll”
Margie, Janet and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Alan. Lots of love being sent your way from the Holtz clan (Jolene, Darrell and me).
Thoughts and prayers,
Denise (Holtz) Baker
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RIP Al…….you left us too soon. We love and miss you……. You made the best gravy at all the Holiday dinners. You could diagnose a mechanical problem on a car and then fix it like no one else. You were precise and took your time on each and every project you undertook. You completed everything to perfection. I will always remember your smile, your patience and your kindness.