Albin Oscar Sundquist

Funeral services for Albin Sundquist were held on Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 11 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory with Pastor Clark Gies officiating. A prayer service was held on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. at Kotrba Funeral Home in Gregory, SD.

Music was provided by John Jacobsen, vocalist, "How Great Thou Art" and Bill Hartman, vocalist, "The Lord's Prayer" accompanied by Melanie Hannahs, organist. The congregation sang the hymn "Day By Day."

Lorrie Sundquist was in charge of registration.

Casket Bearers were grandsons Brad Rennich, Terry Rennich, Brian Rennich, Matt Hartman, Greg Hartman, Jim Hartman, Duke Norris, and Mike Norris.

Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Gregory, SD.

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Albin Oscar Sundquist was born February 10, 1913 at his parent's home near Dallas, SD. He was the oldest child of Carl and Elizabeth (Johnson) Sundquist who had emigrated from Sweden and homesteaded the original farm north of Dallas around 1900. Albin lived on, and later farmed and ranched this homestead for the next 97 years with the only exception being a short employment in the Chicago, Illinois area with General Springs Bumper Company in 1937.

Albin attended Heinerk country school through the eighth grade. He often joked that he had also attended the college of "Hard Knocks" but never said he had graduated from it. Albin was a long time member of Eastern Star and the Masonic Lodge. He received a special plaque in January of 2007 for 50 years of membership. He also served in varying capacities with his local Lutheran Church and on the local coop board.

On December 19, 1969, Albin married Alta Hartman. Together they continued to farm and ranch until Alta's death in 2005. Amazingly, Albin kept and cared for his herd of cattle until the fall of 2007 when at age 94 he sold the cows. While the ranch was always central to their daily life, they also enjoyed Saturday night dances, playing cards, visiting friends and relatives and holiday gatherings. In later years, they both greatly enjoyed their time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their most special times were the large family gatherings around Christmas, Easter and the opening weekend of pheasant season. Vacations to the Smokey Mountains, Wyoming, and Black Hills birthday trips were also very special memories for Al. He also maintained contact with family members in Sweden and had hoped to one day visit them.

On July 1, 2010, Albin moved to Leisure Living in Hartford, SD. While the decision to move was difficult, Albin adjusted well and made many new friends with other residents and staff. He remained there until his death on October 22, 2010.

Albin is survived by his three step children: Joanne (Dan) Norris of Sheridan, Wy; Judy (Ray) Rennich of White, SD; Alan (Linda) Hartman of Hartford, SD; and by nieces Kathleen (Tom) Pankonen of Huntsville, AL; Jane (Herb) Tyler of Sheboygan, WI; Sue (Lee) St. Germain of Burnsville, MN; nephew Daniel Scanlan of Palm Springs, CA; eight step grandchildren and nine step great grandchildren.

Albin is proceeded in death by his parents Carl and Elizabeth, wife Alta, brother Eric and sister Vera.

A memorial is being established in Al's name with all proceeds going to the ongoing maintenance of the Gregory I.O.O.F cemetery.