Caledonia Argus

Albert named Founders Days Parade Marshal

Posted: 6/4/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Itís only fitting that a person who spent over half a century meeting and greeting the people of Caledonia would be chosen one day to lead the Founders Days parade.

George Albert said he was ìshocked and delightedî to be chosen as this yearís parade marshal.

ìItís quite an honor,î he said.

George is known to most people in Caledonia as one of the two Albert brothers (the other is Bill) who operated Albertís Grocery, following in the footsteps of their father, Henry, who purchased the store in 1937.

George was born in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and lived in Waterloo, Iowa and La Crosse, Wisconsin before coming with his family to Caledonia when his father purchased the store. He attended Catholic Central grade school, and graduated from Loretto High School in 1944. After two years of college at Notre Dame in Indiana, he went into the Navy. But the war ended, and he was discharged after only four months.

His first morning home from the Navy, his father got him up at 6 a.m. and said, ìYouíve got to go to work,î remembered George.

ìI stayed for 53 years,î he said. ìHe needed the help and I liked it.î

Itís a good thing George enjoyed his work at the store, because for about 40 years, he spent 80 hours a week there. The best part, he said, was greeting and helping the customers.

ìItís kind of amazing what we did in that little place with all the big stores around,î said George. ìI enjoyed doing what we were doing.î

When he wasnít at the store, George was doing his part for the Caledonia Fire Department. He was fire chief for nine years, and a member of the department for 24.

Georgeís wife, Virginia, pointed out that while on the fire department, George helped establish the rural fire districts. Each farm was asked to contribute $40 so that a large truck could be purchased which would be able to provide adequate service to the townships around Caledonia.

In addition to Virginia, Georgeís family includes his children: Tony of Crystal Lake, Illinois; Barbara Albert of Brooklyn Center; Nancy Braaten of Caledonia; Karen Kruse of Eitzen; Dan of Spring Grove; Michael of Caledonia and Gary of Milwaukee. He also has 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

After having only four weeks of vacation the entire time he worked full-time, George is now enjoying retirement and the freedom it affords him. He and Virginia have traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean as well as many points of interest within the United States.

ìWeíve seen the world and been to a lot of nice places, but Houston County is the best,î said George.

In the summer, George and Virginia enjoy their pontoon, dubbed ìSea-Nyle.î George said he had his first boat for 30 years, and if he has this one for 30 years, he will be senile. George and Virginia occasionally work at Lawrence Lake Marina in Brownsville. Virginia minds the store and George the pumps.

In addition, George is a fan of the Vikings, the Twins, and Notre Dame football. His dream is to become a senior citizen ìRudyî and play football for Notre Dame.

Being parade marshal for the Founders Days parade is a special honor, said George, because his late father was a parade marshal years ago. He also enjoys the idea of showing his hometown spirit.

ìIím proud of Caledonia,î said George. ìThis is the place to be. There are lots of things to see in the world, but we always come back here.î

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