Alfred Hektner

Alfred G. Hektner passed away Saturday, April 5, 2008, at Triumph Hospital in Fargo, ND. Alfred Gordon Hektner was born February 23, 1923, at Wahpeton, North Dakota, to Gustav and Alma (Huss) Hektner. His mother died when he was three months old. As a boy, he lived with his aunt, Nora Huss, on the Huss family farm at Mooreton, ND. He attended a one-room school and worked on the farm, until he graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1941. He attended NDSU and began working with his dad at Hektner Insurance in Fargo. He married Hope Posey at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, on November 14, 1942. In January 1943, he joined the United States Army. He became part of the military police which entailed riding the troop trains during World War II. He was stationed in North Africa, tending to prisoners of war, before returning to the United States where he was assigned to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO. He was honorably discharged in March 1946, and returned to Fargo. He joined his father again in the insurance business. He established Hektner-Lybeck-Erickson Insurance and worked there for many years. He later started Al and Curt Hektner Insurance, where he continued to work until he became ill in March 2007. Al was active in the Professional Insurance Agents of ND. He was the first president of the PIA of ND, and also served on the National Board for many years. He was chosen ND Agent of the Year three times; 1966, 1971 and 1988. At 83 years old, he was named to the 2007 Auto Owners Insurance President’s Club and was 5th in the nation for life sales out of 16,000 agents. Other than his family, his biggest passion was helping his many customers over the years. Al was a member of the Pontoppidan Lutheran Church for 65 years and was active on the church council when he was younger. When the church softball league began, he was a charter member. For 30 years he played, sponsored and managed the Hektner Insurance fast-pitch softball team. His men’s teams won three Men’s State Championships and other tournaments in ND, MN and SD. His women’s team won one state championship. In 1984, he was inducted into the ND Softball Hall of Fame. He was a life-long member of the VFW, Sons of Norway, American Legion, Elks and El Zagal Shrine. He enjoyed fishing in Canada for over 30 years. He enjoyed winters in Arizona with friends. However, he especially loved spending time with his family on Fish Hook Lake in Park Rapids, MN, for almost 50 years. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hope; and four children, Vicki Hektner Hartz (Charles), Fargo; Candice Hektner, Bloomington, MN; Curtis Hektner (Deb), West Fargo, ND; and Marianne Hektner Johnson (James), West Fargo, ND; eight grandchildren, Brian Hartz, St. Paul, MN; Jennifer Hartz Rubin (Cory), Rochester, MN; Kristen Hartz, St. Peter, MN; Nicole Hektner, New York City, NY; Brittany Hektner, Bloomington, MN; Lateesha Hektner, Orlando, FL; Joshua Johnson, Bloomington, MN; Jessica Johnson, West Fargo, ND; two great-grandchildren, Lucy and Maggie Rubin; two sisters, Florence Jordahl and Rhonda Lybeck (Dorlan), all of Fargo, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gustav and Margarett Hektner and his aunt, Nora Huss. The family prefers memorials be given to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Oak Grove Lutheran High School, the ALS Foundation or a charity of your choice. We wish to thank Dr. Brent Hella and the staff at Triumph Hospital for the wonderful care given to Al during his illness. Funeral Service: Friday, April 11, 2008, at 10:30 AM, at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Thursday, April 10, 2008, from 5-7:30 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Prayer Service: Thursday, April 10, 2008, at 7:30 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.