Alfred “Alfie” Theodore Kongshaug, age 81, of Baldwin, WI, died on March 26, 2012 at the Baldwin Care Center after a short illness.
Alfie, was born on October 5, 1930 in Woodville, Wisconsin, the youngest child of Edward and Gladys (Murch) Kongshaug. Shortly after birth, Alfie’s family moved to Baldwin and he would attend school in the Baldwin school district and graduate from Baldwin High School in 1949. Upon graduating from school, Alfie joined the US Air Force. He served as an aircraft mechanic until his honorable discharge in 1953. While serving, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Shortly after his discharge, he joined the Omaha Railroad (later Chicago & North Western Railway) and worked as a signal maintainer and inspector in five states. It was also during that time that Alfred began courting Carol Marson. On November 22, 1958 the two were united in marriage at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond, WI. The marriage would be blessed with three children; Mark, Michael, Michele. The family settled in Baldwin in 1964 and Alfie would work for the railroad until his retirement in 1995. After that time, Alfie worked for various local businesses as well as driving the Senior Bus for the county to pass the time. Carol would pass away in September of 2011 and Alfie would remain in their home in Baldwin until his passing.
Alfie had many hobbies. He enjoyed flying whatever he could get his hands on and did most of his flying out of the Baldwin Airport. He enjoyed going to the Oshkosh Airshows and old military aircraft shows. He also had a musical side and played the drums in many polka bands over the course of 30 plus years. With his family, Alfie went on many road trips, including trips out West, Canada, Texas and around Wisconsin. It was his belief that the family would learn more through driving to their destination than just flying. One of the most memorable trips taken, however, was a trip taken by Amtrak where the family travelled for a month and covered 5,500 miles. Always the mechanic, Alfie enjoyed working on cars and small engines and shared his knowledge with his children. There was nothing that he couldn’t build or fix. Once he started a project, he completed it and was always successful. In his later years, he enjoyed going to the casino and having coffee at “Ray’s” with the boys. He was also active in his community as a member of the Baldwin American Legion Post #240 and donated his time and efforts to fundraisers for various community groups.
Alfie is preceded in death by his; wife, Carol; an infant son; parents, Edward and Gladys; and siblings, Howard, Olive, Lucille, Richard, and Kenneth.
He is survived by his; sons, Mark of Baldwin and Michael (Jeanne) of River Falls; daughter, Michele (Larry) Larson of Austin, Texas; grandsons, Justin (Ashley) Kongshaug of Silverdale, Washington and Kurt and Jake Larson of Austin, Texas; in-laws, Gaynor and Mavis Marson, Delores Kongshaug, Patricia Kongshaug and Derith Marson and several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Celebration of Alfred’s life will be held at 1pm on Monday, April 2, 2012 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hammond, Wisconsin. A time of visitation will be held from 11am until the time of service. Military Honors will be provided by members of the Baldwin American Legion Post #240. Burial will be held privately. Services are in the care of the O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Countryside Crematory – Baldwin, WI 715.684.3434