A wonderful father and grandfather

We are sad to report that Al Heisler, dad to Sarah Sprick, dad-in-law to cousin Davy and grandpa to A., C. and K., passed away this week after a valiant struggle with cancer. He was a wonderful dad and grandpa, and will be missed. His obit and funeral info:

Allison James Heisler, age 77, of Lake City, Minn., died Tuesday, July 17, 2007, at home. He was born to John and Marie Heisler on Aug. 31, 1929, on the White Earth Indian Reservation. He attended many grade schools in Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois, and graduated from Caledonia Loretto High School in 1948. He entered into the Air Force in 1948 and was honorably discharged in 1949. He attended La Crosse State College in 1949. He was recalled into the service in 1950. He married Jeannine Staats on Nov. 14, 1951, in La Crosse, Wis. He owned and operated the Coffee Shop in Hokah, Minn.

In 1955, Heisler joined the Minnesota State Highway Patrol. He was on the Executive Patrol Council for several years and was a School Patrol Safety Officer. He was a life member of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association. He retired from the patrol in 1967. He then owned and operated two Country Kitchens in Rochester, Minn., until 1970. In 1971, he opened The Galley restaurant in Lake City. He served on the Lake City Public Safety Board and was on the Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center Board. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake City. He owned and operated Frontenac Surplus in Frontenac, Minn. He retired from there in 1993. He then enjoyed going to his home in Mesa, Ariz., for the winters. He was a good friend of Dr. Bob and Bill W. for 37 years.

He is survived by his wife; six children, Delrae (Tim) Wolter of Cresco, Iowa ; John (Sandy) Heisler of Lime Springs, Iowa ; Sarah (David) Sprick of Eau Claire, Wis.; Jeff (Lanette) Heisler of Lake City; Allyson "Dolly" (Jay) Nibbe of Lake City; Amy (Kent) Burdick Elgin, Minn.; 16 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Carol Walhovd of Brownsville, Minn., and Nancy Warren of Detroit Lakes, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles and Gerald, and one great-grandson, Jayden Andrew Heisler.

A mass of Christian burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lake City with Father James Russell officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Lake City. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Mahn Family Funeral Home Anderson-Peterson Chapel in Lake City. Friends may also call one hour before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to Mayo Hospice Wabasha Office and St. Mary of the Lake Building Fund.