Albin "Al" Harvey Wahlgren

Albin “Al” Harvey Wahlgren passed away peacefully on Jan. 20, 2026, being as easygoing at the end of life as he had throughout his 92 years. His family credited his undemanding nature to being raised in the middle of nowhere in North Dakota shortly after the Great Depression. Al and his twin sister, Alice Marian, were born in Stanley, N.D., on Jan. 14, 1934, to Albin and Johanna (Swenson) Wahlgren and raised in Grenora, N.D.—a place where they had to journey by train to go to a doctor or dentist appointment, and where he and his siblings would sometimes ride their bikes into Montana. When Al’s father retired from working for the Great Northern Railroad in 1949, the family moved to Fergus Falls, Minn. After graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1952, Al completed a six-month telegraphy course in Minneapolis, then took a job in Elgin, Ill., before moving to Milwaukee to work the night shift for the Milwaukee Road railroad while going to accounting school full time at MATC during the day. In April of 1957 Al was drafted into the U.S. Army, a time that included four months stationed in Greenland. Back in Milwaukee after his time as a soldier, one night in March 1960 at George Devine’s Million Dollar Ballroom at the Eagles Club, Al asked Marilyn (Check) to dance. On June 2, 1962, they were married after her graduation from nursing school, and they raised three boys, Kevin, Kurt and Craig, followed by their daughter, Kim. Al was a wonderful father, and his devotion as a parent included reading countless books; spending hours in a tiny fishing boat; driving on cross-country trips to Florida, Texas and Minnesota; packing a small pop-up camper, boat and bikes for a family of six to go camping up north; attending countless sporting events; and always offering unconditional love. He never complained. Al worked as an accountant at Waukesha Cutting Tools from 1967 until his retirement in 1999. He and Marilyn loved to go to Badger basketball and football games, attend all their grandchildren’s many events, spend time at their home in Door County, and travel, including many trips with dear friends to Europe and throughout the United States. Al loved to play golf and watch golf, including gasping every time a putt barely missed. He loved to read, often choosing dry library books with topics such as astrophysics that would be torture to most. Al is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilyn; four children, Kevin, Kurt, Craig and Kim (Brent); six grandchildren (Erik, Brad, Nicole, Alex, Elizabeth and Sam); brother Erwin (Marilyn); as well as many other beloved friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Morris, Donald and Clifton, and his twin sister, Alice. Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony’s on the Lake (W280N2101 Prospect Ave, Pewaukee, WI 53072) on March 5 (visitation from 9–11 a.m. and mass at 11 a.m. followed by a luncheon). The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a charity of choice.