John Alf

John Alf

John Alf John “Jack” Alf age 85 of Tracy passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 at his home surrounded by family.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, May 25 at the Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held 4:00-7:00 PM Wednesday, with a service of remembrance at 7:00 PM, at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Thursday at the church for one hour prior to the service. Burial will be held at 5:30 PM Thursday at the Tracy City Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com.  Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jack Alf was born on May 30, 1931 to August and Agnes (Seltz) Alf in Shetek Township, Murray County, MN.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church.  Jack attended country school near Tracy, and helped on the family farm until he was drafted into the United States Army in February 1952. During the Korean War, on Christmas Eve 1952, Jack was a soldier in the midst of the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge where over 3,000 American and 25,000 Chinese and North Korean soldiers lost their lives.  Jack received his honorable discharge in November 1953.  He then worked as a welder in Colorado before returning to Tracy where he met and later married Shirley Hall on November 14, 1958.  Jack operated a refrigeration business, and later worked for Deming Plumbing and Heating.  In 1976, he began working as a Tracy Public School custodian, where Jack helped care for the two school buildings.  After his retirement, he continued to operate a lawn service. He was a jack of all trades and enjoyed building and fixing anything.  Jack was a member of the Tracy VFW and American Legion.  He enjoyed woodworking, bird watching, and watching westerns, history, and game shows.  Jack loved mowing lawn and gardening.

Jack is survived by his wife Shirley of 58 years; sons Steve (Jan) Alf of Spring, TX and Jeff (Lori) Alf of Tracy; grandson William Alf; sisters: Betty Kolbe of Mesa, AZ, Florence Smith of Tracy, and Sandra (Steve) Myers of Buckley, WA; sister-in-law Betty Alf of Cottonwood, AZ; and many other relatives and friends.  He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dale and Leonard Alf, and sister Delores Dieken.

10 thoughts on “John Alf”

  1. Sandy and Steve Myers

    Rest in Peace ‘Big Brother’. We will miss you. From your ‘Little Sister’ and ‘Brother Steve’.

  2. Michelle Goettig Meulebroeck

    Our sincere sympathies & heartfelt sorrow to you Steve and your family in the loss of your Dad~may you find comfort in all the special memories you shared with him~he is now enjoying eternal life with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. Rest in Paradise Jack. Sincerely The Class of 1978

  3. Sorry for your loss Jeff, Steve and ‘mother’ Shirley. Great memories from your old house 40 years ago. Jack was very tolerant of us brats.

  4. I have the most happy memories of Jack! He always had a smile on his face, always seemed genuinely happy to see and talk with me and Amber, and he was always eager to help. God bless him and his family!

  5. Kristin Haugo-Jones

    My deepest sympathies to the Alf family. “Jumping Jack” you will be greatly missed! Thank you for the wonderful memories at Tracy Elementary!! ?? I will alway cherish them.!

    Sending prayers of comfort during this time of great loss.

  6. So very sorry for your loss, Steve! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family during this difficult time!
    Kari (Olsen) Golden

  7. My deepest sympathy to the John Alf Family …..I use to be a neighbor to you folks to years ago and worked with Shirley at the Tracy Nursing Home.

  8. Kathy Deming-Hoffman

    Keeping you and your family close in mind and heart as you journey through this tremendous loss, Shirley. I will always remember Jack’s smile and warmth as I grew up – it was not uncommon for him to have to deal with a young girl pestering and hanging around as he searched the bins for the parts he needed for his next plumbing/heating job. I know my dad thought so very highly of him and commented many times through the years of reminiscing how much he enjoyed having Jack part on his servicing crew.
    May you feel God’s warms around you during this time, giving you courage, strength, and comfort.
    Kathy Deming-Hoffman

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