Albert John Top

Albert John Top was born on October 28, 1940, to John and Johanna (Oldenkamp) Top in Lyon County, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm between Beaver Creek and Hills. Al attended the Hills Christian School through 8th grade, and then attended and graduated from Hills Public School. He then attended Barber school in South Dakota. Upon graduation, he began barbering in Sioux Falls, SD. On August 14, 1963, Al was united in marriage to Marlene Kastein at the American Reformed Church in Luverne. They later welcomed and were blessed with the arrival of their four children, Michelle, Shari, Al Jr. and Tricia.
Upon the sudden death of his father, they moved in with his mother until she had a farm sale in March, north of Hardwick. They moved back to Hills where he once again started barbering in Valley Springs, SD for 10 years. In 1973, he purchased the Edgerton sale barn with his brother, Chuck. After closing of the sale barn, he started farming full-time, still continuing to auctioneer and sell real estate.
Al was a member of the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Edgerton, where he served as elder and deacon. He loved his family deeply. Many good memories centered around spending time with his kids and grandkids. Every summer, the family enjoyed going to Barrett Resort in central Minnesota, where they caught many fish. He loved sitting around the table playing a game of "Rook". He enjoyed going to his children's and grandchildren's sporting events. After one flight to Florida to watch his daughter's volleyball game, he was done flying and never flew again. Al & Marlene took many a road trip, never planning where they were going and Marlene not knowing which direction they were going to turn when they got to the end of the driveway. He hardly missed a day without going to the Tally Ho to have a cup of coffee and visit with his friends.
On Tuesday, February, 11, 2025, Al died peacefully at the Cottage House in Luverne, at the age of 84 years.
Al is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marlene; three daughters, Michelle (Todd) Van Essen of Edgerton, Shari (Eric) Binford of Luverne, and Tricia (Darin) Beckering of Eden Prairie; 12 grandchildren, Mason Van Essen, Tabitha Van Essen, Peyton Van Essen, and Levi Van Essen; Matthew Binford, Kierra Binford, Caleb Binford, and Shaylee Binford; Brayden Beckering, Breanna Beckering, Miles Beckering and Claire Beckering; three brothers, Chuck Top, Larry (Melinda) Top of Edgerton, John (Evonne) Top of Luverne; two sisters, Annetta Berghorst and Audrey (Jim) Vis, both of Sioux Falls, SD; brother-in-law Norm Vis of Valley Springs, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Al Jr., on January 27, 2000, his parents John and Johanna Top, step-father Gerrit Pap, sister Judy Vis, sister and brother-in-law Joanne and John Klarenbeek, brother-in-law Keith Berghorst, niece Heather Berghorst and nephew Chuck Top Jr.
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