Albert J Reynen

Albert Jean Reynen passed away June 26, 2020, in Albert Lea, Minnesota. Born May 26,

1923, near Killduff, lowa, to Pearl A. (Rozendaal) and John Dirk Reynen, Al moved with his parents to a farm near Hollandale, MN, in 1925. Al graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1941 and began farming with his father. On March 23,1945, Al married Doris Ilene Krull in Corsica, South Dakota.

Throughout his life Al farmed raising potatoes, onions, sugar beets, corn, soy beans, peppermint, asparagus, spinach, string beans and cucumbers. lnitially he farmed with his father, but from 1946-1986 he farmed with his brother Willis. He also farmed with his son Larry from 1974 until his retirement in 1989.

As a progressive farmer, Al was a representative and trustee of the National Onion Association and served one term representing Southern Minnesota on the National Potato Promotion Board. He was also a board member of the County Farm Bureau, a director for over 30 years of the Hollandale Marketing Association, and a director for over 35 years of the Farm Labor Service.

As an active community member, Al was a 4-H leader and in 1983 with his wife Doris was named a meritorious 4-H leader. Al served as the mayor of Hollandale and helped organize the Hollandale Heritage Huis Museum. He was also chairman of the local Watershed Steering Committee and spent a term as a member of the Hollandale Commercial Club.

Al was an executive board member and secretary of the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home for 21 years as well as a board member of the Hollandale Funeral Association and the Hollandale Cemetery Association. A member of the Hollandale Reformed Church for over 77 years, Al served several terms as a church consistory member.

ln 1992, Al served as a member of VOCA, Volunteers for Overseas Cooperative Assistance in Bulgaria where he worked with local farmers.

Al and Doris hosted two American Field Service (AFS) students who have become family members: Paulo Cordeiro de Andrade Pinto (deceased) of Brasilia, Brazil, and Regula (Kuhn) Hammer of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Since 1995, Al and Doris spent their winters at Avion Palms in Bowling Green, Florida, where Al continued his community service as president of the park and chapel committee director.

Al is survived by his wife of 75 years and five of his six children: Steve (RuthAnn) De Pere, WI; Larry (Emily) Hayward, WI; Jeanne (Gray Randall) Vashon, WA; Allen, Ft. Pierce, FL; Nancy (Edward von Euw) Burnaby, British Columbia.

Also surviving are grandchildren Charles Reynen; Elizabeth (Roderigo) Paro; Gregory (Jessica Zanewich) von Euw; Emily von Euw; and Daniel von Euw. Two great granddaughters survive. Three step grandchildren survive as well as five step great grandchildren and one step great, great granddaughter.

Al is survived by his sisters Betty Mondeel, Bernice Ferwerda, Marjorie Anderson, Jane (Larry) Suntken. Two sisters-in-law Joan Reynen and Judy Reynen also survive. Many nieces and nephews survive as well as one AFS exchange student and their families.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother, his daughter Kathleen, his brothers Willis (Hazel) and John (Judy), his sister Antoinette Elbring, his brothers-in-law Arent Mondeel, Martin Ferwerda and Robert Anderson.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home of Albert Lea. Burial was in the Hollandale Cemetery.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care given to Al by the caregivers at the Good Samaritan Skilled Nursing Facility in Albert Lea.

Memorials may be sent to the Hollandale Reformed Church, Hollandale Christian School or a charity of your choice.