Albert Jirik, age 89, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at the Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home, Mahnomen.

Albert "Spence" Charles Jirik was born at home on September 7, 1927, in Rosedale Township, the 5th of James and Mary (Stolka) Jirik's ten children.  He attended country school until the 6th grade when he began working on the family farm, which he continued to farm until 1985.  In 1959, Al went to school and graduated as an auctioneer, an occupation he greatly enjoyed the rest of his life. He married LuElla Vesledahl on October 1, 1960, and over their 20 plus years of marriage they were blessed with four children, Sharon, Lori, Cindy and Michael. While the children were little, Al continued farming and running his auction business.  Also during this time, Albert was very active in his local community and supported his church and St. Michael's School through charity work.  He loved his family and friends and would organize family reunions and weekend get-togethers. The Rosedale Ballroom/Auction Arena on his farmstead was a culmination of his passions for family, friends, music and fun.

In later years, he traveled to Alaska and then down to Arizona where he lived until he returned home at the age of 80 to Mahnomen.  He would often say how glad he was to be with family and how proud he was of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments.  In the recent years, he enjoyed family outings and being be a "Crop Scout" for Mike's fields.  Albert loved to learn new things and even obtained his pilot's license.  He also enjoyed attending his grandchildren's events, eating pizza and grilling with family.  His favorite pastime was visiting. Al was a proud member of St. Michael's Catholic Church where he served on the School Board and helped build the playground equipment. He also helped design and landscape St. Michael's Cemetery.  Al graciously volunteered auction services for 4-H, FFA and local nursing home events.  He will be remembered as someone who loved God, family, friends, music, dancing, nature, being Bohemian and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus.

Albert is survived by his son, Michael (Michelle) Jirik of Ulen, MN; his daughters: Sharon (Gary) Litzau of Mahnomen, MN, Lori (Jerry) Handyside of Lengby, MN and Cindy (Keith) Gruhot of Xenia, OH; his brother, Frank of Boise, ID and his sisters: Agnes Dobmeyer of Alexandria, MN, Vicki McGuire of Batavia, IL and Julie Krautkremer of New Prague, MN; ten grandchildren: Logan (Kassandra) Handyside, Kal (Amanda) Handyside, Allie (Fiancé, Kyle Maier) Handyside, Alexa (Kevin Keller) Gruhot, Jessica Gruhot, Cassandra Gruhot, Michael Gruhot, Cole (Jillian Hershberger) Jirik, Ross Jirik, and Will Jirik; and many nieces and nephews. Albert is preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary; three sisters: Josie Kochmann, MaryAnn Piechowski and Frannie Simon; and two brothers, Alois and Ben.