Alan “Al” Lundeen died peacefully Nov. 18, 2023, at his home in Fosston, Minn. He was 65. 
A Celebration of Life and visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, Minn. with a prayer service to follow. The service will be live-streamed on the First Lutheran Church Facebook page. Burial will be at a later date.
Alan Dean Lundeen was born March 17, 1958, in St. Cloud to Melvin and Carol (Thorson) Lundeen, the eldest of three children. He attended elementary school in South Haven, and high school in Annandale where he graduated with honors in 1976. Al worked alongside his parents at Lundeed OK Hardware during school. After graduating high school, he attended Northwest Technical College in Wadena for telephone technology, graduating in 1977 at the top of his class. On Aug. 1, 1977, Al moved to Karlstad, Minn., to work for Wikstrom Telephone Company (Wiktel); he was employed there for 46 years, until his death. Al valued his job and took pride in his dedication, contributions, and accomplishments to Wiktel and the entire telephone industry. He served on the Minnesota Telecom Alliance Board of Directors for seven years.
Al had a very large presence in the City of Karlstad and surrounding communities. He was Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission for 32 years, served on the Airport Commission, and was a former Board Member for Tri-County Schools (including four years as Vice Chair). He was a volunteer firefighter on the Karlstad Fire Department for more than 25 years (including seven years as Fire Chief). During some of his time with the fire department, he was a State of Minnesota Firefighting Instructor.
On June 20, 1981, Al married Bonnie Swanson, and from this union were born two children, Andrew and Morganne. The lived in Karlstad. On Aug. 8, 2008, Al was united in marriage to Melissah Puttbrese in Halma, Minn., and with this union came two bonus children, Samanthah and Jacob. Al and Melissah spent their time between Karlstad, Fosston, and Bullhead City, Ariz. Al’s favorite pastimes included motorcycling, snowmobiling, fishing, hunting, woodworking, traveling, and spending time at his winter home in Arizona. He loved and cherished most spending time with his children and grandchildren. His family always came first. He was someone who was very generous, and he was always willing to help out others. He will be fondly remembered by his conversations, knowledge, smile, and extreme kindness to all with whom he came in contact.
Al was preceded in death by his parents Melvin and Carol; grandparents Elmer and Esther Lundeen, and Palmer and Juanita Thorson; in-laws Ruby Jean Torgerson and Albert Puttbrese; nephew Steven John Puttbrese Jr.; aunts, uncles, and his best friend, loyal companion, and dog Benny.
Al is survived by his wife Melissah of Fosston/Bullhead City, Ariz.; children Andrew (and Anna) Lundeen of Karlstad, Morganne (and Kenrick) Anderson of Becker, Samanthah Wesner of Karlstad, and Jacob (and Ali) Anderson of Fargo, N.D.; five grandchildren Jessica, Thinh, Giana, Liam, and Finnegan; sisters Linda (and Kevin) Caird of St. Augusta, and Lisa (and Allen) Hechtel of South Haven; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Arrangements were entrusted to Austin Funeral Home of Hallock, Minn.