The memorial service for my father, Albert Parsley

The memorial service for my father, Albert Parsley, will be 2:00 PM Saturday Sept. 18, 2010 at Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, Harwood, ND.

Burial of ashes will be in the family plot at Maple Sheyenne Cemetery.

Albert H. Parsley, 76, West Fargo, died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.

Albert Harold Parsley was born Jan. 17, 1934 near Davenport, ND to John and Minnie (Lykken) Parsley. He was baptized on Feb. 4, 1934 at Kindred Lutheran Church, Kindred, ND. He grew up near Davenport, Horace and Warren, ND, where he attended school. He worked on the family farm until 1952 when he began working in the road construction business. From 1960 to 1962, he worked as a civilian contractor for the U.S. Air Force, living in Anchorage, Alaska; Tampa, Florida; Greensboro, North Carolina; Ft. Worth, Texas and Plattsburgh, New York, before returning to North Dakota. On April 18, 1969 he married Joyce Olson Gould in Sisseton, SD. On April 18, 2005, they renewed their wedding vows and had their marriage blessed by their son, Jamie, an Episcopal priest, in a ceremony in the chapel of Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Fargo.

He worked for Correll Construction for several years before starting his own business, Al Parsley Construction, in 1980, which he successfully ran for twenty years. In 1996 he bought out his former employer Correll Construction and incorporated the business. He retired in 2000.
Al had a life-long interest in Native American culture and was an avid collector of artifacts and relics, as well an abiding interest in the history of North Dakota. He was also a metal detecting enthusiast. One of his fondest memories was the metal detecting trip he took to England in 2002.

He was a long time member of Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, where he served as head usher for many years.

Al was a good man, a caring and compassionate husband, a generous and understanding father and a true friend to those who knew him. He deeply loved his family and God. His generosity to anyone in need knew no bounds.

His is preceded in death by his parents, and four brothers, Tom in 1937, George in 1947, Charles in 1988 and Arthur in 2003.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, the Rev. Jamie and Rick (Kim) both Fargo; three step-children, Jeffrey (Judy) Gould, Loveland, CO; Jason Gould, Fargo; and Michelle (Everett) Walker, Valley City, ND; brothers, Jim, Kindred, ND; Clifford (Karen), Apache Junction, AZ and Joe (June), Fargo; sister-in-law, Ann Parsley of Apache Junction, AZ; his aunt Florence Hagensen, Mapleton, ND; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be 2:00 PM Saturday Sept. 18, 2010 at Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church, Harwood, ND.

Burial of ashes will be in the family plot at Maple Sheyenne Cemetery.