Albert "Al" C. Spande

Albert Carl Spande was born in Decorah, IA in 1945 to Beulah (Ramlo) and Milton Spande.  Al graduated from Mabel, MN High School where he participated in band, choir, theatre, FFA and excelled in football and track, being named to Mabel’s All-Century football team as a running back.   After High School, he enlisted in the National Guard where he served 6 months before attending Winona State where he studied Agricultural Science and ran track.   He finished his bachelor’s degree at the University of MN in Agricultural Science.

Early in Al’s professional career he taught Agriculture at both Lanesboro HS and Winona Technical College.   He moved into banking in Rushford before he became part owner of Norsland Lefse.  He went on to teach drivers education in La Crescent, MN and La Crosse, WI.

Al met his wife Sue (Becker) in 1965 in La Crosse and they were married in August, 1971 at English Lutheran Church in La Crosse.  They had two children, Heather (Breuer) born in 1972 and Christopher in 1976.  Together, Al and Sue raised the kids in Rushford and then moved to La Crosse in 1997.

When Al wasn’t working you would often find him visiting or hosting garage sales.   He loved chatting with anyone that would stop by.  He was also a jack of all trades and knew a little about everything, but not enough to be dangerous. His motto might have been “getting a project done perfect was not as important as getting it done”. Paint runs added personality to any wall and parts left over from a construction project were simply a bonus. His kids and grandkids learned so much from him.  Al loved his family fiercely and he spent as much time with them as he could.  He attended many of the kids and grandkids sporting events over the years.

Al was preceded in death by his son, Christopher Spande, his parents, Beulah and Milton Spande, and his sister Carol Dvorak (Dave).   He is survived by his wife, Sue of La Crosse, daughter, Heather Breuer (Brian) of Albertville, MN, his granddaughter Ellie and grandsons Jonah and Jake Breuer all of Albertville, sister Bonnie Henkels (Dave) of Heron Lake, MN, brother Donny Spande of Mabel, and many nieces and nephews.

Al passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 12, 2024 at his daughter’s home.  He was surrounded by the people he loved the most, and who in return loved him endlessly. They will miss all of his social media funnies that he batched out daily, making life a little less serious.

A celebration of Al's life will be held from 12:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at the La Crescent Area Event Center, 595 Veterans Pkwy, La Crescent, MN 55947.