Allen Gafkjen

Allen Raymond Gafkjen of Sunburg, died Friday, May 23, 2014, at the Miriam Manor in Sunburg, MN. Allen lost his courageous battle with cancer surrounded by his loving family.
Memorial services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 28, at West Lake Lutheran Church near Sunburg. Interment will be in the church cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #167 of Willmar and the Minnesota Patriot Guard. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, at Peterson Brothers Sunburg Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Allen was born on April 26, 1939 in Arctander Township, in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, to Rudolph and Alice (Reigstad) Gafkjen. He was baptized and confirmed at West Lake Lutheran Church in rural Sunburg and attended District 59 in Sunburg and Kerkoven High School. Allen moved to Minneapolis in 1958 and soon started working for Central Roofing Company where he was employed for almost 40 years. Allen was drafted into the Army in 1962 and served a tour of duty in Korea. He received an honorable discharge in 1965. On June 26, 1965 Allen married Nancy Solem. After marrying, they lived in Northeast Minneapolis until purchasing a home in Columbia Heights in 1972. In 2010, they made the decision to move to Sunburg to be closer to the grandchildren.
If anyone were to ask Allen what his hobbies were he would probably have shrugged his shoulders and shook his head but there is no question that his favorite activity was spending time with his beloved family and cherished friends.
He is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Nancy (Solem) Gafkjen. Allen is also survived by his two daughters, Aileen (and John) Dwyer Sunburg, MN and Sarah Gafkjen of Columbia Heights, MN; his grandchildren, Andrew Sorenson (and special friend Jessica Lee Danielson), Megan Sorenson (and special friend Adam Tauber), Rachel Sorenson, Bethanie Sorenson and Melanie Sorenson; as well as his four siblings, Roger (and Mary) Gafkjen of Brooten, Sharon (and Ronnie) Monson of Murdock, Vendale Gafkjen of Sandstone, Larry Gafkjen (and special friend Carol) of Alamo, ND; sister-in-law, Mary Gafkjen of Murdock, MN; and several nieces and nephews.
Allen was preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Rudolph; brothers, Merle, Dean, and David; and sisters, Aileen and Linda.

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