ALLEN VACKNITZ

Allen Vacknitz, age 88, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall. A Funeral Mass was held Friday, November 17 at St. Leo Catholic Church, with Fr. Darin Schmidt, celebrant. Interment was in St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Tyndall.

Allen Harmon Vacknitz was born at home February 15, 1935, to Emil and Rose (Schmoll) Vacknitz. He graduated in 1953 from Tyndall High School. Al went into the National Guard in 1957. He married the love of his life, Evelyn Schneider December 27, 1961, at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. They made their home three miles west of Tyndall and had four daughters. Al farmed until 1984. The following year, Al started working as a correctional officer at the prison in Springfield, a position he held for 10 ½ years.

Al loved to fish and hunt pheasants. He and Ev tried to fish as often as possible and Al always loved to go fishing with his friends and sons-in-law. Al played amateur baseball as a 2nd baseman for the Tyndall Arrows. He was a devoted fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Twins. Al followed the Tyndall Panthers, the Bon Homme Cavaliers and the Avon Pirates. Al enjoyed watching his daughters and grandchildren play ball and he tried to attend as many sporting events as he possibly could.

Al was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He and Ev moved to the Avon Manor in 2012. Al moved into the Tyndall Good Samaritan Home in February of 2020, just one month prior to COVID-19.

Survivors are his daughters, Connie and (Rodney) Van Gerpen of Avon, Kay and (Glenn) Wright of Sioux Falls, LuAnn and (Gary) Wright of Sioux Falls, Rachel and (Loren) Bertus of Avon; ten grandchildren, Paul Van Gerpen and (Dena Akridge), Hilary and (Cody) Hilzendeger, Michael and (Brittany) Wright, Elizabeth and (Zach) Bayreuther, Rebecca Wright, Mandy and (Kevin) Husby, Sarah and (Jason) Solma, Jeff Bertus, Joe and (Nikki) Bertus, Jill and (Devin) Tolsma; ten great-grandchildren, Chandler, Mira, Harrison, Graham, Baker, Maverick, Adam, Emma, Harper and Madison.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn in 2013; his sister, Ruby Goehring and his brother, Don (Corky) Vacknitz.