Obituary of Alan Minar

Allan Minar, 82, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at his residence in Hayward.

He was born Jan. 15, 1936, in Pine City, Minnesota, the son of Charles and Ann (Mottl) Minar. He was united in marriage to Roselyn Chaltry on May 17, 1980. He was the owner of Minar Construction in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was known for his highly skilled work and custom homes. He was also skilled at creating handcrafted pottery. He received his bush pilot license and co-owned a Cessna 180 with his friend Bob Swanson. Together they piloted many fishing trips to the Arctic Circle and Whitewater Lake in northern Ontario, Canada. On one of his fishing trips to Whitewater Lake he met his future wife, Rose, who lived there on Best Island.

A few years before their retirement, Al and Rose began building their home on Nelson Lake in Hayward on weekends. There Al enjoyed many years of bow and rifle hunting for turkey and deer, fishing, ATV riding and snowmobiling. He and Rose also loved traveling in their RV — especially to Alaska, where Al pulled in many salmon and halibut. On an RV trip to Florida they discovered Periwinkle Park on Sanibel Island and began returning there winters for weeks at a time until eventually they bought a house in the park and spent the winter months there.

Al is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Rose, of Hayward; his children, Allan Lee Minar of Minnetonka, Minnesota, Debbie (David) Deck of Lakeside Township, Wisconsin, Cindy Neby of Duluth, Jeannie (Paul) Flaherty of North St. Paul, Minnesota, Dennis (Stephanie) Eng of Pine City, Minnesota, and Kathy (Brad) Lee of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Linda, Corey, Ryan, Nick, Jeremy, Julie, Megan, Jill, Becky, David and Emily, and 16 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Evelyn Hansen, Jerry Minar and Robert (Mary Kay) Minar; his former wife, Margie Michael of Duluth; and many nieces, nephews and loving friends.

In addition to his parents, Allan was preceded in death by his sisters, Sophie Hansen and Ann Marie Eng, and his son-in-law, David Neby.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota 55807, (218) 624-5200. Visitation will be at 9 a.m., followed by the Celebration of Life at 10 a.m.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.bratley-nelsonchapels.com or www.cremationsocietyofmn.com.