Aloys "Al" Wawers

Aloys “Al” Wawers, 96, of Breckenridge, Minnesota, passed away on January 19, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona.  His funeral mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge.  There will be a visitation one hour prior.  Burial will be at a later date.  Fr. Leo Moenkedick will be officiating the service.  Arrangements are entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge.

Aloys Henry Wawers was born on January 4, 1928, in Senora, North Dakota, to Henry and Joanna (King) Wawers.  He attended country school, then went to St. Francis Academy.  In 1946, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, which made him a World War II Veteran.  He spent time on the West Coast and patrolled Pearl Harbor.  After the war, he returned to the Breckenridge-Wahpeton area, furthering his education at NDSSS, while working as a welder.  Al then would go on to work for the Great Northern / Burlington Northern Railroad for 37 years.  When he started, the trains were still operated by steam engines, and Al was able to be part of the transition from steam to diesel engines.   He started as a fireman for the railroad and moved his way up to engineer.  

In 1948, Al was united in marriage to Betty Wolfe, and the couple was blessed with two children, Barbara and Gary.  Al and Betty raised their children in their home in south Breckenridge.   Then in 1974, he married Doris, and they enjoyed time together on Pleasant Lake.  The couple would then winter at Roadhaven Resort in Apache Junction, Arizona for the next 30 years.  Al enjoyed golfing at Roadhaven Resort, where he hit several holes-in-one, some even after the age of 90.  

During the late 1950’s, he opened Al’s Bar and Recreation in Breckenridge, where people would go to enjoy billiards and pinball.  In 1962, he was a charter member of the Breckenridge Lions Club until they disbanded.  With him being a founding and final living member, he was presented with the club’s meeting bell.  He was also a member of the VFW, American Legion, and the Eagles Club.  Al was a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in Breckenridge for over 70 years.  In his recent years, Al enjoyed going to the Breckenridge and Wahpeton Senior Centers, where he was a lifetime member.  

Al enjoyed keeping himself busy tinkering with all kinds of small engines.   He always wanted to know how things worked.  Al also enjoyed fishing, hunting, and sports.  He would watch the NDSU Bison, and Minnesota sports teams. His favorite team however, was any that his grandchildren played for.

Al is survived by his children, Barbara (Roger) Bucklin, Gary (Karalee) Wawers; grandchildren, Melanie (Ronnie) Brooks, LeAnn (Chad) Bertke, Matthew (Caralyn) Wawers, and Jenna Wawers; sister, Shirley Schultz; and 9 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Joanna; wife, Doris; siblings, Sylvester (Vonnie) Wawers, Cecelia (Jim) Brinkman; brother-in-law, Arlie Schultz, and the mother of his children, Betty.

Family asks that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Breckenridge Senior Center.