December 27, 2004 was a sad day for Deer Park as the village said good bye to Al Humpal, a person who seemed to find his niche in community service work from the 1940's on. Al became well known as an International Harvester mechanic of Farmall tractors, a line of work he stayed with for most of his work life. But his time in community affairs over-shadowed most every other endeavor.
One of the first community positions held was the Village Constable, a job that would be similar to today's community service officer in larger cities. His involvement in the community eventually settled in as a fireman and then fire chief, a tenure in the Deer Park Fire Department lasting 64 years. In addition to being the chief for decades Al was involved in the Lion's club, the modern day replacement of the Deer Park Booster Club. If Al wasn't out on a fire call in the wee hours of the morning, he might be working late at night on a Christmas project for the village after work.
It may sound like Al was a type 'A' person but a better definition would be a type "FFW" (Family-Fun-Work) person. Fires do have an element of fun/excitement in them and so do some community projects. If one happened to be working on a project with Al, then they were also having fun too. The work might not be at the most comfortable hour, it might be wet, it might be hot or cold but everyone had fun when working with Al.
Al was also an avid deer hunter, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast but was more of an avid family-type of guy. At his funeral his grandson-in-law, Tim Sellner, lamented that "Al was a relationship guy", "he's the guy who cared" and when he was present, "Al just popped out". Tim continued saying Al was very interested in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his relatives noting that he would be asking his youngest relatives "what's going on", and it never failed.
Tim noted the large crowd at the funeral and thanked the Deer Park community for supporting the family.
But the only real difference between Al's relatives and his friends was that he was with his relatives more. He treated everyone like his relative and that is probably what set Al apart from the crowd, why he "popped out" and why they say there was "only one Al Humpal".
Honorary casketbearers included members of the Deer Park Lions Club and Deer Park Fire Department.
ALOUIS "AL" HUMPAL
May 18, 1918 - December 22, 2004
Al Humpal, 86, Deer Park, died late Wednesday, December 22, 2004, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn.
Alouis George Humpal was born on May 18, 1918, in Forest Township, the son of Frank and Emma (Snyder) Humpal. He was baptized and later confirmed at St. John's Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
Al grew up in the Forest area and attended country school there.
On June 19, 1943, he was married to Phyllis E. Warner at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Amery. Together they made their home in Deer Park and raised three children, Elaine, Frank and Dave.
Al drove a milk truck for the Deer Park Creamery and also worked at the Deer Park Cheese Factory. He later began working as a mechanic at Jabusch Implement in Deer Park.
In 1969, Al bought the implement business and operated Humpal's Repair Shop for many years.
He was a very active member of the Deer Park community, serving many years with the Lions Club and working as town constable. He was also a member of the Deer Park Fire Department for over 64 years.
In his spare time he enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Al also liked woodworking and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church in Clear Lake.
Al was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Emma Humpal; brothers, Joseph, William and Francis Humpal; and one sister, Helen Novotny.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Humpal of Deer Park; daughter and sons, Elaine (Paul) McAndrew of New Richmond, Frank Humpal and Shari Borglund of New Richmond and Dave (Pam) Humpal of Amery; six grandchildren, Carrie (Tim) Sellner of Minneapolis, Minn., Kristi (Morgan) Boatman of North Pole, Alaska, Michael (Landa) McAndrew of Florissant, Colo., Kandi (Jim) Olson of Amery, Matt Humpal of Amery and Ryan Humpal of Amery; nine great-grandchildren, Scott, Kalina, Adam, Cody, Kylee, Hannah, Chloe, Emma and Tyler; sister, Wilma Cress of Clear Lake; many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial was at St. John's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, on Monday, December 27, 2004, at 11 a.m. Celebrant was Fr. Joseph Trinka.
Organist was Christine LaFond with music by Mary Anderson and Cody Olson.
Honorary casketbearers were members of the Deer Park Lions Club and members of the Deer Park Fire Department. Fire Trucks escorted him to the cemetery.
Casketbearers were Kristi Boatman, Michael McAndrew, Matt Humpal, Ryan Humpal, Kandi Olson, Kalina McAndrew, Carrie Sellner and Cody Olson.
Interment was in Calvary Cemetery, Deer Park.
Arrangements were handled by Scheuermann-Hammer Funeral Home, Clear Lake.
(Amery Free Press - Tuesday, December 28, 2004 / New Richmond News -
Thursday, December 30, 2004)
