Albert Grabowska Goodridge, MN age 93 died on Sunday, December 1, 2013 at the VA Hospital in Fargo, ND. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow in the Ekelund Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, December 6, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Saturday at Ekelund Lutheran Church. Albert Carl Grabowska was born on June 28, 1920 in Leola, SD the third of eleven children born to Francis and Martha (Geffre) Grabowska. He was baptized and confirmed into the catholic faith. Albert attended country school through the eighth grade and stayed to help on the family farm. He moved to Anoka, MN and worked for Kovar's Sales and Manufacturing as a welder. Albert enlisted into service with the United States Navy and served from 1941-1945. He served aboard the USS Cache. He was a machinist in charge of making drinking water. The USS Cache was responsible for fueling battleships and aircraft carriers and endured typhoons and being torpedoed while at sea. Albert was honorably discharged and returned to live in Anoka, MN. On September 7, 1946, Albert was united in marriage to Bernice Helen Race in Anoka, MN. The couple made their home in Anoka for four years and then moved to Goodridge, MN in 1951 where they have since lived and farmed. He was a caring man who worked hard. Albert was a member of Ekelund Lutheran Church, rural Goodridge, MN and the VFW Post 2793 in Thief River Falls. He enjoyed teasing his family and friends, playing cards, and always had a twinkle in his eye. Survivors include sons; Larry (Pat) Grabowska, Stephen, MN, Don (Julie) Grabowska, Thief River Falls, MN, his daughter, Shirley (Steve) Holte, Grygla, MN; and son Mark (Jeannine) Grabowska, Hereford, AZ; sixteen grandchildren, Erica (Alex) Ford, Alex (Allyson) Holte, Natalee (Jake) Schultz, Andrew Holte, Patty Sunderland, Brian Grabowska, Kevin Grabowska, Jaime (Bret) Yaeger, Sarah (Randy)Cartledge, Amber (Jason) Dungan, Dustin (Jenna) Grabowska, Chris (Tracy) Grabowska, Scott (Jolynn) Grabowska, Jeff Grabowska, Christina and Aaron Grabowska; 22 great grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Helen Grabowska, Mesa, AZ, brother, Arlin (Shirley) Grabowska, Champlin, MN; sister, Veronica Hehn, Puyallup, WA; sisters-in-law, Rita, Fran, and Bev; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Bernice on June 11, 1999; son, Gerald on Sept. 5, 2011; brothers, Dick, Bernard, Frances, Norbert, and Les; sisters, Florence (Don) Miller, Josephine (Pete) West, Delores (Bill) Riley; and brother-in-law, John Hehn. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com Accompanist, Tanya Kotrba Soloist, Rev. Vicki Saude-Worthington "What Child Is This" & "God Bless America" Congregational Hymns, "Jesus Loves Me" & "How Great Thou Art" Pallbearers, Albert's Grandsons; Brian Grabowska, Kevin Grabowska, Chris Grabowska, Alex Holte, Dustin Grabowska, Scott Grabowska, Andrew Holte, Jeff Grabowska, Aaron Grabowska Military Honors, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2793 & Ecklund-Holmstrom American Legion Post #117