Al Anfinson was born on November 27, 1933 in Cushing, Iowa to Fred and Grace Anfinson. He graduated from Cushing High School in 1952.
Al married his love of 61 years, Hazel Johnson of Cherokee, Iowa on February 24, 1953. He was drafted into the Army in May 1953 and spent the next two years in Korea until he was honorably discharged as a Corporal in April 1955.
Al attended Wayne State College in Wayne, NE, graduating in 1959 with a teaching degree in Special Education. Al and his family then moved to Kremlin, Montana in 1959 where he was a teacher until accepting a teaching position with Everett Grade School in Sioux City, Iowa in 1961. In the early 60’s, Al taught at Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School teaching Special Education courses in Auto Shop and Auto Body, Science and Driver Education for the next 30 years. He then taught at West High School until his retirement in 1991.
In addition to his teaching, in 1969 Al organized and directed the Civil Air Patrol out of the Sioux City Airport, and was a flight instructor for Northwestern Flyers, Inc. and Aaron Brigs and Martin Field in South Sioux City. Al also was a flight instructor at the Park Rapids, MN and Chandler, AZ airports.
Al and Hazel spent their summers on Long Lake in Park Rapids, MN and their winters in Chandler, AZ for many years. Al loved to fly and enjoyed going to air shows, riding motorcycles, fishing, archery, photography, gunsmithing and firearms. He loved music and played the guitar. At 12 years old, Al won the State of Iowa Singing Contest, singing “Old Man River.” Al’s true passion and commitment was to his family and to his students as he always made himself available to help with their concerns. His strong Godly ethics along with a great sense of humor appealed to many. Al was a lifetime member of the NRA, belonged to the Sioux City Masonic Lodge, and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Al was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Hazel; his son, Garrett; his sister, Judy Jennings; and his very special pet Shelby.
Al is survived by his daughter, Gina Behrendsen and her significant other, Chris; daughter-in-law, Vonda Anfinson; four grandchildren, Jeaneen (Kirby) Eli, Stephanie (Mike) Mohr, Isaac (Star) Campbell, and Alanna (Ryan) Moyers; ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Beverly (Marlen) Mildenstein and Dana (Richard) Muckey; and many nieces and nephews.
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