Erland "Al" Lundeen

Erland T. “Al” Lundeen, 95, died peacefully Friday, November 18, 2011 at Villa Maria, Fargo, ND. He was born February 2, 1916 in Milbank, SD, the son of Knute and Anna (Swanson) Lundeen. After graduating from Milbank High School, Al moved to Valley City, ND to attend college. Al later lived in California and Minneapolis, MN, where he met Nette Marie Setter. In 1941, Al enlisted in the Army Air Corps at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis. Following training he was stationed in Portland, OR, where he and Nette were married on July 11, 1942. Al proudly served in the South Pacific as a First Sergeant in the 75th Bomb Squadron. Following his discharge from the military at the end of the war, he was trained and worked in jewelry manufacturing for several years in Minneapolis, MN and became a Master Jeweler. In 1952, the family moved to Fargo, ND, where Al began a jewelry repair business that did work for several local jewelry operations. The Crown Jewels was founded by Al as a retail business in 1961. He retired as principal owner in 1979 and the Crown Jewels continues as a third generation business today. Al and Nette were charter members of Faith United Methodist Church in Fargo. Their church family has remained an important part of their lives in Fargo. Al also was a member and past Master of East Gate Masonic Lodge. He was also a Mobile Noble in the El Zagal Shrine. In retirement, Al and Nette spent a great deal of their time traveling throughout the United States and Europe. Their favorite times were spent with family and being involved with their grandchildren. Al was able to pursue his artistic talent and became proficient in painting, woodcarving, sculpture and bronze casting. Al is survived by his wife, Nette, Fargo, ND; daughter, Susan (John) Stephens, Fargo, ND; sons, Thomas (Susan) Lundeen, Waco, TX; and Mark (Helen) Lundeen, Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Jeff (Jennifer) Stephens, Greg (Jessica) Stephens, Greg (Katie) Lundeen, Kristin Lundeen, Sarah (Adam) Garner, Rachel Lundeen and Chris Lundeen; six great-granddaughters; three sisters, Florence Mittelstaedt, Cannon Falls, MN; Violet (Raymond) Baker, Fort Worth, TX; and Phyllis (Jerry) Mayer, Minneapolis, MN. Al was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings. Memorials are preferred to Faith United Methodist Church, Masonic charities or as the donor wishes. Memorial Service: Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Faith United Methodist Church, Fargo, ND Visitation: Friday, December 2, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with a Masonic Service at 6:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND.