Alfred J. Bartkowski

Alfred J. Bartkowski, hero, devoted husband, loving father and adored grandfather passed away on March 23, 2011, in Bismarck in the arms of his wife and daughters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11:30 AM at Church of St. Anne with Rev. Ed Wehner officiating. Burial will be held at the ND Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00 - 8:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service where a Knights of Columbus Rosary and vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Alfred was born on June 12, 1923, in Courtenay, ND, to Jacob and Katherine Stachlowski Bartkowski. He attended country school in Durham Township and Courtenay High School. In October 1943, Alfred left home, much to the dismay of his mother, to join the Marines. His basic training took place at Camp Elliot in California. Serving with the 1st Marine Division-K Company, Alfred saw action in the South Pacific in the Battle of Peleliu which had the highest casualty rate of any battle in the Pacific War and has been called the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines. Alfred was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity…in action against the enemy on Peleliu Island". His citation reads "His daring example of heroism, indomitable fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty were an inspiration to his comrades." After recovering from multiple wounds suffered in the Battle of Peleliu, he was deployed to Okinawa where he served for 45 days before sustaining another wound which resulted in his hospitalization in Hawaii and his return to the mainland. He was honorably discharged on December 7, 1945. Following his military service, Alfred attended Milwaukee School of Engineering, graduating in 1947 and Moler Barber College in Fargo from which he graduated in 1948. He did his barber apprenticeship in Hillsboro under the guidance of Arnie Schornack and earned his master license in 1950. On January 5, 1949, in the midst of a snowstorm, Alfred married the love of his life Avis Wright. In 1950, they moved to Linton where he was the sole proprietor of Al's Barber Shop. In 1955, he was recruited by T. Clem Casey to move to Bismarck and open a barber shop in the Arrowhead Plaza Shopping Center, which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1987. After retiring, he and Avis traveled extensively throughout the United States with their Alaska trip being one of the most memorable. Alfred was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying many trips to Canada with family and friends. Active in church and community, Alfred was a charter member of St. Anne's Catholic Church serving on the parish council and as chairman of the finance committee. He was a troop leader for St. Anne's Boy Scout Troop 120 and a member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, AmVets, Knights of Columbus, and past president of the North Dakota Barber's Association. Alfred is survived by his wife of 62 years, Avis; his son, William Colette Edina, MN; his daughters, Kay Kenneth Vogel, Bismarck, ND, and Carol Jeffrey Fallon, Rochester, MN; eight grandchildren, Joshua and Jason Vogel, Kathryn, Patrick and Ryan Fallon, Sarah Bartkowski, and Mitchell and Logan Drews; one sister, Irma Mandler of Brooklyn Park, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers; six sisters; and his son, Thomas, in 2005.

Alfred J. Bartkowski

June 12, 1923 - March 23, 2011