Albert Eugene Bjornrud, 47
Albert Eugene Bjornrud, 47, died Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from complications resulting from a sudden heart attack, on the same day his father died exactly 40 years ago. He was born Sept. 26, 1961, to Sue Rankin Bjornrud and (the late) Roy "Sonny" Bjornrud.
Al was just 7 years old when he lost his father, Sonny, to a mill accident. Within a short time he gained a stepfather, Joe VanBemmel, and a new brother and sisters. He grew up and attended schools in Fortine and Eureka. After moving to Kalispell in 1979, he met and later married his sweetheart, Teri Furrow.
Always mechanically inclined, Al found his calling in 1984 when he went to work at Ron's Alignment, where he was still employed at the time of his death, arriving early every morning to get the coffee on and greet the customers with a smile. Al gave more than 25 years of excellent service not only to the public, but to his fellow co-workers.
His passions included racing, jeeping, snowmobiling, camping, fishing, hunting both big game and birds, gardening and cooking. He treasured his 'snow-cations' to Cooke City and elsewhere, weekends at the cabin,
Jeep trips, competing in racing events, and his annual steelhead fishing trips. Most of all, Al loved being surrounded by family and friends, both old and new.
Highlights of his life were meeting and hanging out with Dale Earnhardt Sr. at the Phoenix racetrack years ago. He was proud of his time spent at Raceway Park in Kalispell and recently, he had a dream come true: He was accepted to drag race on the television series "Pinks All Out" that is to be filmed in Kent, Wash., later this summer.
Al was a member of Ducks Unlimited, as well as Flathead and Ten Lakes snowmobile clubs.
Albert is survived by his beloved wife, Teri; and three children, Amanda, Brandon and Dane; and beautiful new granddaughter, Teagan, his pride and joy. He also is survived by his parents, Joe and Sue VanBemmel, of Kalispell; his seven brothers and sisters, Dorthy Bates of Anchorage, Alaska, Roy Bjornrud of Kalispell, Rick and Carol VanBemmel of Iowa, Barb and Kurt Penney of Kalispell, Deb and Ray Peterson of Eureka, Kathy VanBemmel and her fiance, Reid McFarland, of Kalispell, and Bobbie and Todd Conrad of Kalispell; brothers-in-law, Doug Furrow of Kalispell, and Ken Furrow of Missoula; sister-in-law, Becky and Tim Casey, of Casper, Wyo.; and many cherished aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and special friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roy "Sonny" Bjornrud; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Allen and Dorothy Furrow.
A memorial service will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with a reception afterward at the family residence.
A memorial fund has been established in his name for donations to outdoor recreation and rescue programs and can be sent in care of Ron's Alignment, 1271 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.
To send codolences, please go to www.buffalohillfh.com. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.