Alfred John "Al" Kirchgasler

Click here to view Alfred's Liturgical Wake Service.

Click here to view Alfred's Mass of Christian burial.

Alfred John Kirchgasler, 106, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed peacefully into God’s hands from natural causes on Wednesday, June 13, 2018.  He was a dedicated husband, loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He would easily be considered one of the most benevolent people you ever knew. 

Alfred was born on March 9, 1912, in Aberdeen, SD to Thomas and Magdalena (Molsom) Kirchgasler.  He had seven siblings: brothers, Walter, Paul, Michael and Arthur, and sisters, Magdalena, Teressa and Margaret. 

After working as an electrician in the shipyards of Bremerton, Washington for two years during World War II, he returned to Aberdeen and eventually started his own electrician business.  He wired most of the old wood frame, corrugated metal grain elevators in the Aberdeen area, and many others around South Dakota.  He also wired many of the houses in Aberdeen during his career. 

Alfred’s life was lived in love and devotion to his wife of nearly 78 years.  Alfred joined lives with Lillian J. Kirchgasler in marriage on April 23, 1938.  Alfred and Lillian were devout members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, since their marriage.  They had one child, Mary Jane Kirchgasler (Fiala), born in Bremerton, Washington.  Mary Jane had five children.  Alfred saw the best in everyone and everything, and he lived in a way that set the perfect example of benevolence to those around him.  His devotion to Lillian was the epitome of love, and a great example of true love and marriage to their daughter and grandchildren.   He was by her side at Avera Mother Joseph Manor until her passing on January 25, 2016. 

Alfred is survived by his grandson, William Alan Fiala, Jr. and wife, Anna Marie and great-grandsons, Will and Kollen of Carlsbad, NM; granddaughter, Laura Leigh Fiala and Christopher Ortega, and great-granddaughter Cloe of Albuquerque, NM; grandson, Daniel Ernest Fiala of Albuquerque, NM; granddaughter, Michelle Marie Bamford and husband Larry, great-granddaughter, Faith and great-grandsons: Isaac, Noah, Joshua, and Matthew of Las Cruces, NM; and grandson, Joel John Fiala and wife Kerri and great-grandson, Drake and great-granddaughters Kasey, and Jemma of Albuquerque, NM.; and a number of other relatives and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lillian J. Kirchgasler; his daughter, Mary Jane Fiala; his son-in-law, William Alan Fiala, Sr.; his parents, Thomas and Magdalena; and all seven of his siblings. 

Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Monday, June 18th, at Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, followed by a liturgical wake service and rosary at 6:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour before Mass at the church on Tuesday.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, June 19, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 409 2nd Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Father Michael Griffin and Deacon Pete Mehlhaff officiating.

Interment immediately follows at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  Alfred will be escorted by pall bearers:  Alan Fiala, Dan Fiala, Joel Fiala, Ernie Fiala, Larry Bamford, and Joe Murtagh, and honorary pall bearers: Will Fiala, Kollen Fiala, Drake Fiala, Isaac Bamford, Noah Bamford, Joshua Bamford, and Matthew Bamford.

Friends may sign Al’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com

"Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."  ~  John 11:25-26

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