Albert H Bell

Albert H. Bell, age 94 of Mankato, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 3, 2004.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Paul Meierding officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4"7 p.m., Monday at Mankato Mortuary and continues one hour before services at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

Albert Bell was born January 23, 1909 to John and Emma (Rabe) Bell in West Bend, Iowa. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1927 and later from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Al played baseball for Luther and was later inducted into its Baseball Hall of Fame. Al was a well known pitcher in the Southern Minnesota Baseball League, pitching for Owatonna, Waseca and Mankato. He was married to Ruth Tews on November 30, 1940 in Waseca. Al served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific and was discharged as a 2nd Lt.

Al was a Restaurateur in the Mankato area owning and operating the Wagon Wheel, Topic Cafe, Bells $.15 Hamburgers, Oasis Drive Inn, and Lake Crystal Lake View Restaurant. He was an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church of 56 years and was currently serving on the hospital visitation program. Als first priority was family and friends. Al was also an avid sports fan, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed gardening and bird watching.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Mankato; one daughter, Diane Bishop and her husband, Wayne of Burnsville; two sons, Dave Bell and his wife, Colleen of St. Peter, Doug Bell of Greeley, CO; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Lora Johnston of Mapleton; one brother, Arnold Bell and his wife, Margaret of Mankato; sister-in-law, Fern Bell of Plymouth; many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceded in death by two brothers.