Alfred "Al" Gregersen

Alfred "Al" Gregersen, 92, of Willmar, died Wednesday September 24 at his home. His funeral service will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 30 at Willmar Bible Church. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Monday at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with military honors will be at Cloverleaf Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org

Al was born on March 13, 1933, in Murdock, Minnesota, to Leon and Hilda (Johnson) Gregersen. He grew up there and attended school through the eighth grade before joining his father in farming. Al later served in the United States Army and went on to work as a mason for more than forty years. On September 11, 1955, he married the love of his life, Lila Reigstad. They began their life together on the Gregersen family farm near Murdock before settling in Willmar, where they built a home and a life rooted in faith, love, and hard work.

In his later years, Al enjoyed his weekly meals at Frieda's Café, where he loved sharing the story of meeting Lila in the café's entryway back in 1949 – a moment that began a lifetime of love.

Al was deeply devoted to his family and was the steadfast patriarch whose love shaped generations. Yet the most important relationship in Al's life was the one he had with the Lord. His greatest joy came from supporting his family through prayer and from the assurance that they would one day be reunited in eternity. He will be remembered as the heart of his family – a steady presence in an ever-changing world.

Al is survived by a rich legacy he built with his loving wife of 70 years, Lila; their children Terry (Jim) Tetzloff of Spicer, Lori (Jim) Kingery of Willmar, Douglas Gregersen of Big Lake, Lisa (John) Perry of Spring Park, and Michelle Gregersen of Sergeant Bluff, IA; grandchildren Jeremy Imdieke, Jessica Conlin, Bethany Danner, Lindsey Beckman, Emily Nordahl, Aaron Kingery, Megan Kingery, Tyler Kingery, Joshua Gregersen, Carly Koepke, Jordan Gregersen, Dylan Gregersen, Justin Hamann, Chelsey Hamann and Mariah Hamann; 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. He is also survived by his sister, Joyce Reich, a niece, nephews and many extended family who loved him.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Hilda, his daughter-in-law Cindy Gregersen, and his nephew Rodney Reich.