Former Dorchester Co-op Manager Al Kalkwarf Passes

The Times is saddened to learn about the passing of longtime Dorchester resident and Dorchester Cooperative employee Al Kalkwarf, who passed away Tuesday, Jan. 12, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. Aside from being a stewalt for the community, Kalkwarf's business acumen helped ensure the long-term survival and success of the co-op. Kalkwarf and his wife, Charlene, only recently moved to Lincoln after calling Dorchester home since childhood.

Services will be held 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete, with Rev. Roger Wolfe officiating. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation begins today, Jan. 15, at 4 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials should be made in care of the family in lieu of flowers.

The following is Al's obituary as it appears on the Lincoln Journal Star Web site:

Alvin Kalkwarf, of Lincoln, formerly of Dorchester, passed away Tuesday at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. He was born to was born to Alvin and Alma Kalkwarf on November 12, 1937 in Friend, Neb. After the death of his mother in 1939, he and his sister were raised by their grandparents in Dorchester. He attended and graduated from Dorchester Public Schools in 1955. After graduating, he joined the Army and served his country for four years. He then returned to Dorchester and worked at and later became manager of the Farmer's Co-op. He was employed there for over 50 years. He married his best friend, Charlene Murphy on August 17, 1968. Together with their son, Gary, they made their home in Dorchester. He and Charlene moved to Lincoln in 2008. He was retired, but still worked part-time for the Co-op. Over the years, they made many trips together and with family and friends. They made many visits to Colorado enjoying time watching their granddaughters grow up. Al and Charlene made one very special trip to Germany to visit the places he spent time at while stationed in Germany. Al was never seen without a smile on his face. He was a friend to everyone he met and he never forgot a face. His granddaughters remember him fondly. They say, "Grandpa could carry on a conversation with anyone -- he could talk to a wall!" Alvin, you are loved by so many and you will be greatly missed.

Survivors: wife, Charlene of Lincoln; son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Wendy Hamilton of Broomfield, Colo.; granddaughters, Jessica and Lauren; sister, Alvina "Babe" Remmers of Cortland; father and spouse, Alvin and Helen Kalkwarf of Crete; half brother, Ardis Kalkwarf of Crete; half sister and spouse, Vicki and Mike Grimes of Lincoln; brother-in-law, Bill Murphy of Phoenix City, Alabama; sisters-in-law and spouses, Lois and Phil Morgan of Lincoln, Mary Ann and George Woolsey of Inland, Neb.; special aunt, Clara Bosak of Seward; nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Preceded in death by his mother, Alma; nephews, Michael and Douglas Remmers; uncle, Frank Bosak.