Allan Cwikla of Thief River Falls, MN died at his home surrounded by his loving family on Monday morning, February 16, 2015 after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, February 20, 2015 at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Reverend John Golv and Reverend Ale Tulu officiating. Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2015, with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Allan John Cwikla was born on April 19, 1954 in Thief River Falls, MN, the son of John and Ann (Burian) Cwikla. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Middle River, MN. Allan grew up on his family farm near Thief Lake and attended school in Middle River, graduating in 1972. In 1983 Allan was married to Michelle Anderson of Middle River. Allan worked for Schenkey Construction in Middle River for over 30 years. He also worked for a short time for Polaris and Arctic Cat, and since 2008, for Edward Jones in Thief River Falls. On November 28, 1992 Allan was united in marriage to Pamela (Hanson) Kolden. They made their home in Thief River Falls and together they spent time snowmobiling, fishing, and 4-wheeling. Allan loved sharing his passion for these activities with his family and grandchildren. He was the "Head Coach" and "Lead Mechanic" for the Kolden KCPro Snowmobile Race Team featuring Bailee #15 and Matthew #19. Allan and Pam loved spending time fishing at their lake cabin at Cyrus Resort, Lake of the Woods. Allan enjoyed hunting, farming food plots, and playing "Gut" at the hunting shack with the Shady Nook Crew. The highlight of his hunting career was being with his grandson Matthew when he shot his first buck this past November. He was a self-taught carpenter and handyman who could fix anything. It would be hard to find Allan without his best pal and four-legged constant companion, Sheena. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Middle River Jaycees, and the Fourtown Grygla Sportsmans Club. Allan is survived by his loving wife Pam Cwikla; sons Errin (Lynnae) Kolden of Green Bay, WI, and Jerod (Meg) Kolden and their children, Bailee and Matthew Kolden of Thief River Falls, MN; brother James (Arnette) Cwikla and sister Eileen (Al) Walseth all of Thief River Falls, MN; nieces and nephews Beth Roppe of Thief River Falls, MN, Paul (Allyson) Cwikla of Crookston, MN, Ryan (Stephanie) Walseth of Thief River Falls, MN, David Walseth of Moorhead, MN, and Justin (BreAnn) Walseth of Chandler, AZ; loving mother-in-law Alvina Hanson of Thief River Falls, MN; sister-in-law Beverly (Wayne) Torgerson of Warren, MN; many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Ann Cwikla; sister Carol Cwikla; nephew Johnnie Cwikla, and father-in-law Alfred Hanson. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.