Al Traaseth

Alvin Peter Traaseth died on July 10, 2015. He was born on September 27, 1935 to Peter and Alma Traaseth at Shevlin, MN where he grew up on their farm.
Al graduated from Bagley High School, received his B.A. degree from Concordia College, his M.A. in Russian from Indiana University, and did graduate work at the University of Michigan and Moscow University in Russia. He taught in Rochester and Hopkins, MN before coming to Concordia College as coordinator of the Concordia Language Villages and May Seminars Abroad in 1972. He was Dean of the Russian Village and led many student trips to the Soviet Union. He was also involved in the American Village teaching English to foreign students.
Over the years Al was active in many church, educational and civic organizations. For many years he has been an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, worked with Project H.E.R.O., Churches United, was an advocate for low income housing, and was a volunteer driver for Clay County Social Services using his 1992 New Yorker which he loved to drive. He was also a member and officer of the Red River Senior Men’s Golf Tour.
On July 2, 1955 Al married his wife, Janet and they had five children: Diane Jim Nieling, Eagan, MN; Laurie Bruce Hoium, Moorhead; Julie Dean Morlock, Moorhead; David Mary Traaseth, Gig Harbor, WA; and Timothy Kelli Traaseth, Charlottesville, VA. They have fourteen grandchildren: Jason and Jennifer Nieling, Travis fiancé, Molly and Kaia fiancé, James Hoium, Laura, Chad Eda, and Adam Morlock, Amanda, Megan, Benjamin and Matthew Traaseth and Alec, Abbi, and Kyra fiancé, Wade Traaseth.
Al loved his family, friends, good food, travel – anywhere, golf, politics, and a good debate on most any topic.
Al is survived by his wife, children, sister Gert Earl Harwood, sister-in-law Dorothy Traaseth, Bagley, MN, his brother Wayne Ruth Traaseth, Elk River, MN sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty and Richard Dodds of Peachtree City, GA and many others in his extended family.
He has donated his body to Mayo Clinic for medical research.
There will be a gathering of friends and family from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. with a time for sharing at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday in Wright Funeral Home Moorhead.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, on Friday at 11:00 A.M.
The final resting place will be the Columbarium at Mayo Clinic.
In lieu of flowers Al would prefer that you make a donation to your favorite charity.