Alvin Jacob Kosel, 84, of Wahpeton, ND (formerly, Campbell, MN), passed away at Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo, on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 27, 2019, at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, MN, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church, Breckenridge, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Ross Fritz will officiate.
Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Breckenridge. Al Kosel was born near Forbes, ND, on July 15, 1934, to Jacob and Frieda (Klipfel) Kosel. When he was four years old, his family moved to a farm south of Breckenridge and attended school at Gebhardt rural school through 8th grade.
In 1953, Al graduated from Breckenridge High School and began farming with his father. On June 25, 1960, Al was united in marriage to Mary Birrenkott and they made their home on the farm in Campbell, MN, where Al began farming on his own. Al loved the land and the privilege of raising his family on a farm.
Al was a member of the National Guard, American Legion, and served several years as Brandrup Township Treasurer. He was also active in his church and enjoyed serving as a member of the Campbell-Tintah school board. Al was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
He enjoyed playing sports with his daughters and grandsons, sharing his spirit for the games, and attending their sporting events. Those who knew him loved his wonderful sense of humor and outgoing personality; it was easy for others to feel welcome around him. Al restored his Minneapolis Moline tractor and proudly showed off his accomplishment to his friends and family.
His love for the soil was evident through his gardening and farming, but above all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and was always up for a good game of Rook and Whist. Al is survived by his wife, Mary Kosel, Wahpeton, ND; daughters, Kim (Jerry) Finke, Celina, TX, Kristi (Richard) Houska, Hickson, ND, and Karla (Ron) Sveum, McLeod, ND; grandsons, Tyler Finke, Derek Houska, Devin Houska, Blake Houska, Simon Sveum, and Levi Sveum; brother, Roy (Mary) Kosel, San Benito, TX; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Mary Kosel, Wahpeton, Myrna Birrenkott, Fargo, ND, John (Sylvia) Birrenkott, West Fargo, ND, and Mike Birrenkott, Thornton, CO; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Frieda (Klipfel) Kosel; siblings, Richard Kosel, Walt Kosel, Ralph Kosel, infant brother, and Violet (Harold) Gruenberg; parents-in-law, Joe and Mary Birrenkott; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lawrence Birrenkott, Joe Birrenkott, and LaVon Birrenkott.
The family of Al would like to thank the staff at Villa Maria, Fargo for their exceptional care for Al throughout the years. Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge.
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