Allen Ahlbrecht, 63, passed away Wednesday, July 16, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Funeral service was at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 21, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel. Officiating clergy was Pastor Carolyn Pflibsen. Organist was Barb Froemming. Soloist was Molly Markgraf. Casket bearers were Steven Steberg, Eric Steberg, Timothy Hodge, Rodney Markgraf, Steve Markgraf and Scott Markgraf.

Allen Arvid Ahlbrecht was born Oct. 31, 1950, to Sonny and Molly (Markgraf) Ahlbrecht in Willmar. It was his mother's birthday. The third of five children, he spent his early years at Lake Lillian school. In 1958, they purchased land in Renville County and moved to what is now the Ahlbrecht family farm northwest of Hector.

He enjoyed working the farm, taking care of the plants and animals, and working on the machinery. He graduated from Hector High School in 1968 and attended Willmar Technical College for auto mechanics. He was a conscientious objector and spent several years working to avoid going to war in Vietnam.

Al was married June 19, 1970, to Suzanne Willette, at First Lutheran (now Gethsemane Lutheran) Church in Dassel. Al and Sue made their home on the family farm and had three children. They bought a house and moved it to the farm. Through blood, sweat, and tears, they salvaged a house which was set to be demolished. They became foster parents for Renville County and took care of more than 30 foster children. Working at times with the Hector chapter of the Humane Society, they also rescued numerous animals including orphaned raccoons, stray dogs, and kittens. Al put his heart and soul (and his thumb) into taking care of plants, animals, children, vehicles, and buildings. He held several other jobs over the years, but the farm remained his true home.

He died peacefully at Abbott Northwestern Hospital July 16, 2014, following a short illness.

Allen was preceded in death by his mother, Amelia "Molly" Markgraf Ahlbrecht; his father, Otto "Sonny" Ahlbrecht Jr.; brothers-in-law, Paul Willette, Earl Rowland and Roy Hodge; and many beloved aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his ex-wife and best friend of 40 years, Suzanne Willette Ahlbrecht, and her parents, Wally and Dolores Willette, all of Litchfield; daughter, Laurel Ahlbrecht and her children, Aleisha and Daniel, of Hutchinson; daughter, Rebecca Ahlbrecht and granddaughter, Samantha, of St Cloud; son, Allen J. Ahlbrecht, also of St Cloud. He is also survived by four sisters, Marlys Hodge of St Paul, Sharon Rowland of Chouteau, Okla., Beverly and husband Steve Steberg, of Blaine and Debra Wenz of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; nine nieces and nephews and their families, and countless other relatives and friends.

Arrangements with Hughes-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hector. Online guestbook is available at www.hantge.com Please click on Obituaries/Guestbook.