Allison John Schaller

Mankato Mortuary 1001 N. Riverfront Drive Mankato, Minnesota 56001 507-388-2202 (Al/Guy) ALLISON JOHN SCHALLER Longtime North Mankato business owner, Al Schaller, 82, died Thursday, July 30, 2015 at home. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday August 15 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato. Visitation will be 1 hour before service at the church; burial in Minneopa Cemetery with military honors. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family. Allison John Schaller was born September 29, 1932 to Pastor Egbert and Frieda (John) Schaller in Mobridge, South Dakota. Allison's family nickname was "Guy". As his Dad was called to serve different churches, he lived in Alma City and Nicollet, eventually settling in Mankato, Minnesota. After high school, Al served in the US Air Force during the Korean War from 1953 to 1957. Al was assigned to the 9th Air Refueling Squadron, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho (SAC) where he served as a KC-97 Crew Chief. After his military service, Al worked for Boyer Typewriters and Dick Davis Typewriters traveling over Southern Minnesota repairing business equipment. In 1968, Al and his wife Sharon opened THE BROASTER Restaurant and served people both with dining and catering. As the long hours affected life, Al and Sharon converted the restaurant into its current retail store - SHARON'S CRAFT-N-FLORAL CENTER. He enjoyed traveling to craft industry shows and workshops. Al was proud of the store and enjoyed working and talking with the customers and neighbors as well as when he delivered Home Magazines (one of their long-term carriers). He served his church for many years in various offices and singing bass in the church choir. In later years, Al continued his travels on farm tours with Lynn Ketelsen. Al enjoyed working outside on the farm, eating fresh vegetables from the garden, fishing, seeing the birds and deer in the yard, and spending time with his family. Allison is survived by Sharon, his wife of 53 years of marriage; son Douglas Schaller (Mankato); daughter Ann (Brent) Helgeson (North Mankato); grandsons Justin (Monika) Helgeson (Colorado), Gage Helgeson (North Mankato); brother Jonathan (Doris) Schaller (Wisconsin); a sister Anne (Paul) Koch (Wisconsin); aunt Trudy Oswald -106 years old-(Edina); two nieces, two nephews, and many cousins. Al was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.