Allen Cornelius

Oct. 21, 2022

Allen Cornelius, of Clarkfield, passed away on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at his home in Clarkfield, at the age of 97 years and 4 months. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, from noon- 2 p.m. at the Clarkfield Lutheran Church, followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. Interment with military honors to follow at Clarkfield Lutheran Cemetery.

Allen LaVerne Cornelius was born on June 12, 1925, to Conrad and Amanda (Grinager) Cornelius. He was baptized and confirmed at Bergen Lutheran Church. He attended grade school at the country school in Lisbon Township and attended and graduated from Clarkfield High School in 1943. He joined the army after graduation and served in WWII where he was stationed in the Philippine Islands. He was very proud to be recognized as a WWII veteran.

On Sept. 18, 1948, he was married to Ramona Jean Gordon at Bergen Lutheran Church. Together they were blessed with 5 children: Diane, Trudy, Karen, Linda, and David.

Allen farmed with his dad for many years. In 1969, he bought Mork’s Hardware that became known as Al’s Our Own Hardware Store in Clarkfield. Al was known as the local fix-it guy, and he always said that the local ladies liked to call him to repair whatever needed to be fixed and they made sure that they had freshly made cookies for him. He was as honest, humble, trustworthy, and kind as they come. His motto was, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!”

Over the years he enjoyed fishing, bowling, horseshoe, playing pinochle especially with the guys at Duane Morland’s farm, and spending time at Lake Minnewaska. He learned to play golf in his 50’s, which turned out to be a passion that he became really good at and played until he was 93. His pride and joy were his children and their spouses, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Over the years he took pride in looking for just the right birthday card for each of his children and their spouses and the grandchildren. He made sure that they received them on time for their birthday. The past five years he learned how to maneuver Facebook, which helped him follow family happenings and you would find him frequently commenting on their postings.

Allen is survived by his children: Diane (Loren) Norgaard from Glenwood, MN/Goodyear, AZ, Karen (Mark) Renneke from Northfield, MN, Linda (Ben) Lewison from Maple Lake, MN, and David (Sharon) Cornelius from Clarkfield; grandchildren: Erik Norgaard, David Norgaard, Rachel (Jason) Aus, Nick (Gwen) Shaw, Ryan (Alison) Renneke, Sarah (Mitch) Garrison, Amanda (Ben) Dietrich, Jason (Kirsten) Lewison, Trina Lewison Lavigne, Jeremy Lewison, Lynn (Brandon) Groenhoff, and Joshua Cornelius; brother, Donny (Delores) Cornelius; son-in-law, Scott Shaw, and sister-in-law, Elaine Cornelius. He was the proud great-grandfather of 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona; parents, Conrad and Amanda Cornelius; daughter, Trudy (Cornelius) Shaw; granddaughter, Jennifer Shaw Leigh; grandson, Joseph Cornelius; brothers, Clinton (Eleanor) Cornelius and Galen Cornelius; sisters, Darlene (Reuben) Sather and Shirley (Stan) Lynne. Allen suffered with a severe case of shingles for just about four years. It would be his wish for anyone who has had chickenpox and at risk for shingles to get vaccinated so that no one would have to suffer as he did.

Arrangements are with the J.H. Lynner Funeral Home in Clarkfield www.jhlynner.com