Allen Huseby
Wednesday, September 15, 1943
Date of Death:
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Age:
82 years old
Visitation
Date: Friday January 02, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Saturday January 03, 2026
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Memorial Service
Date: Saturday January 03, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Zumbro Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Little Cedar Cemetery
Wednesday, September 15, 1943
Date of Death:
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Age:
82 years old
Wednesday, September 15, 1943
Date of Death:
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Age:
82 years old
Allen Huseby
Allen Garry Huseby, age 82, of Rochester, MN died December 28, 2025 at Charter House. He was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN on September 15, 1943 to Aaron Huseby and Eunice (Torgerson) Huseby and grew up on a dairy farm next to Adams, MN. He graduated from Mankato State University in December, 1966 and was drafted into the U.S. Army weeks later. He completed basic training at Fort Lewis, WA and Fort Ord, GA. He served as a Military Police Sentry Dog handler in the newly formed 981st Company at Pleiku, Vietnam throughout 1968. He was a proud member of Adams, MN American Legion Post 146 and received a Quilt of Valor.
While serving in Vietnam, he exchanged letters girlfriend and future wife Bernice (Gilgenbach) Huseby and their love grew. Al was discharged from the Army in December 1968. In 1969, he began a 35-year career in the Business Office at the Mayo Clinic. He married Bernice on June 21, 1969 at Sacred Heart Church in Adams, MN. She would love and guide him through life. Together they raised two children and supported them in every way. He was a 4-H leader, school advisory board member, sports booster and volunteer helping build the Mayo High School football bleachers. He rarely missed a music performance, sporting event or 4-H activity. He cherished time with his five grandsons by attending their activities, sharing his love of nature and creating adventures together.
Al was passionate about his hobbies. He loved traveling and camping, especially in the western United States. He visited most of the 50 states and many countries in Europe and Asia. His most meaningful trip was to his ancestral village of Leikanger in the Sognefjord region of Norway.
He loved good books, good music and good horses. He even wrote a book “Prairie Roots”. As a self-taught guitarist, he loved playing and singing 50s rock and roll. He also performed with a bluegrass group at Charlie’s in Rochester. Over the years he owned and trained many horses and was always ready to help a neighbor move cattle, join roundups, or go on hunting trips in the western U.S. as a trusted horse wrangler. He was one of the organizers of the Rattlesnake Crossing Trail Ride in rural Rochester. He enjoyed crafting halters, braided martingales, and leather chaps for fellow horse lovers.
Nature was sacred to him and he embraced the Ojibway philosophy of caring for the earth and for people. Al believed peace would replace war and love would conquer the hate. He felt that life should be remembered less for what you’ve done and more for who you’ve been.
He is survived by his wife Bernice; children Jennifer (Kurt) Zetah of Rochester and James Huseby of Flower Mound, TX; grandsons Christopher, Joshua and Nicholas Zetah, Jacob and Aaron Huseby; sisters Shirley (Porter) Hemingway, Carol (Wayne) Schramm and Janet (Randy) Stephenson; in-laws Jeanette (Gene) Smith and David (Karen) Gilgenbach; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by twin sons John and Michael, his parents, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kenneth and Barbara Gilgenbach.
The family would like to thank Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care in his final months, the Charter House third floor Supportive Living staff for care the final week, Dr. Thomas for over twenty years of medical care, his doctors at the Mayo Clinic, and the staff and residents of Charter House for their kindness and friendship.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026 at Zumbro Lutheran Church, 624 3rd Ave. SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Visitation will be held 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026 at the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12th St. SE, Rochester, MN 55904 and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Sunday, January 4, 2026 at Little Cedar Cemetery, Adams, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ronald McDonald House, Channel One Food Bank, or Seasons Hospice. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com
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Condolences
The family of Allen Huseby has received the following condolences.
Bernice & Family, Al will missed. He was one of the first guys I met at Mayo. We hit it off immediately. Maybe because we were both small town farm boys, both loved a good story and competing as teammates on some less than stellar basketball teams, none-the-less great fun. Over the years at Mayo, our careers took different paths but it was always good to reconnect along the way for some good discussions. On the personal side, you & Al hosted Jane & I at your house on our first date. And, Al was an usher at our wedding.
Jane & I were sorry to hear Al is gone but we know he’s up there saving a place for you and others. He was a very good man and friend. We were out of town so couldn’t make the service but our condolences and thoughts are with you & your family.
Best, Al & Jane Schilmoeller
I had the pleasure of meeting Al early in my career. He was a very kind man and always had a smile for everyone. He was a good man.
Bernice,
So saddened to learn of Al's passing. Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. Al touched many lives and will be
warmly remembered.
Lynn and Donna (Loecher) Femrite
Bernice, Jim, Jenny,
I'm so sorry to learn of the passing of Al. He was a work colleague and good friend of mine. As a fellow veteran I admired and respected him for his service as an Army dog handler in Viet Nam. One of the most memorable things I remember about my relationship with Al was when we were 40 yrs old and decided to walk from Rochester to Adams over the Labor Day weekend. We were going to be totally self-sufficient so we carried all of gear in backpacks, which included a change of clothing, a self-inflating mattress, a sleeping bag, and food for each meal for the 2 days it would take us. The packs ended up weighing around 50lbs. The 1st day we walked along I-90 for several miles before turning south on country roads. We ended up going to Grand Meadow, 23 mi away, and arrived late in the afternoon. We pitched my small 2-man pup tent on the south end of the football field and spent the night there. The next days we walked the 21 mi to Adams and camped in the city park on the west side of town. So, after walking 44 mi with 50 lb packs on our backs we were pretty stiff and sore the next morning. Al's parents lived in Adams and had a jacuzzi tub so we took turns spending some time in that to try and get some of the soreness out. Jeannie came down and picked us up and took us back to Rochester. It was one of those things that you reflect back on over the years and wonder why you did it; but it also provided some memories that we would talk and laugh about over the years.
Yes, Al was a great guy; someone I liked from the first time I met him when I started working at Mayo. I know you must miss him a lot, but his suffering is over now and he is in a better place. Take solace in knowing that the grief that you are experiencing now will pass with time, but the fond memories that you have of Al will live on forever.
My deepest sympathy to your entire family and friends. I met Al in 1976 when I started working at Mayo Clinic on the mezzanine floor. Al was beyond welcoming. I was 17 at the time and I remember him teasing me that I was only 17 and had started my career at Mayo Clinic. Al was the kind of man that you knew you could trust right from the start. I loved him. He always beamed with a smile! Al Schweiler ran that great team! My position was “counter” so I worked next to the pricers and the charge desk personnel. That was a great team! I left after a short period and went back to college. I would occasionally run into Al upon my return to Mayo as a medical secretary a few years later. What a great man Al was! One of the best! Although I didn’t see Al in his later years, I will miss him but joyfully await reunion with him in heaven. May God rest his soul! Blessings and peace to you, Julie White (Kisro)
I am so glad that Bill and I got to know Bernice and Al through many Vietnam Sentry Dog Handler reunions. Visiting
them near Rochester was special as we learned of the many talents that Al had. May God bless you and your family
as you deal with the loss of your husband, father and grandfather.
Dear Bernice and family,
Shari and I send our deepest sympathy to all of you. Al was a good buddy of mine in Pleiku as we served together in the 981st MP Sentry Dog Company along with Hans and Rex. It was great to reconnect with you at our reunions and share our mutual interests and ministries. I know he will be deeply missed, but heaven looks better now that he and all the saints are there, safely home. May the Lord hold you close during these winter days and be your strength as you continue to serve Him. Blessings and love, Jim and Shari Gysel
I remember Allen from MP school at Fort Gordon, GA and when we formed the 981st MP Sentry Dog Company in Fort Carson, CO, and when we trained with our dogs at the Lackland Air Force Base dog school in San Antonio, TX. The whole company deployed together to Vietnam in December 1967. In Vietnam we were assigned posts throughout the country. We did not serve together in Vietnam as I was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay. But I remember Allen well; a fine person. I offer my condolences to his family.
Al was one of the first people who I met when I moved to Rochester and started work at Mayo. early 70's He was so kind and helpful. We didn't keep in touch, other than an occasional bumping into, but I never forgot his friendship at a time when I needed it. Please know of our love, hugs and prayers, Nancy & Tom
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cherish the memories.
Although I didn’t know Allen personally I can attest to his Service to his Country. As a fellow Military Police Sentry Dog Handler folks need to know he was the tripwire on the perimeter. The enemy had to get past Allen and his dog to inflict casualties. Many soldiers returned home safe and sound because of his nightly vigilance. My condolences to his family and friends.
I am very sorry to read this news. I always enjoyed his writings about about growing up in this community. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
my sincere sympathy to the Husby family
Bernice, Our sympathy and prayers to you and all the family. Wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
Dear Bernice and family. You have my sincerest condolences. I wish I could attend services for Al however I am living in assisted living and no longer able to get out and about. I will be thinking of you and your family and of course Al. Love, from me and Dick in heaven.
Farewell to a kind and gentle friend. You loved the world through which you walked. Your quiet wisdom will be missed. Rest in peace.
Deepest sympathy to Bernice, her family and all. May the Lord give you the strength you need during this difficult time. Love and prayers to all!