OBITUARY: Alfred Hurlbutt
On November 15, 2016, one of the biggest hearts in all the world stopped beating. Alfred Wayne Hurlbutt, 75, son of Wayne J. Hurlbutt and Ernestine Wilhelm Hurlbutt, passed away at Aspirus Cardiac Care in Wausau.
Al was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener and patron to the hummingbirds that graced his yard. He was known to his family and friends as “Uncle Al, The Kiddies’ Pal” because he delighted in furnishing each child’s first ice cream, and in teaching them to pilot the pontoon boat. He also inspired in the kids, a love of nature and the joy of outdoor sports.
He graduated from Rhinelander Union High School in 1959, and continued his education at UW Madison and Northland College. From there he took his business degree to J.C. Penny Company, where he managed stores in Ironwood, MI, St. James, MN and LaCrosse, WI. During these years, he also served in the Wisconsin National Guard. Al retired from the retail business after eighteen years before again entering the work force at Rhinelander Paper Co. He retired to his leisure in 1998. At that time he lamented, “The trouble with doing nothing is that you never know when you’re done.”
He was preceded in death by his parents ane wasd by his niece, Lindsay Anne McKenzie.
Al is survived by his brother, Will (Deana) Hurlbutt of Rock Island, IL and his sisters, Mary (Tom) Peter of Rhinelander; Betsy (John) Purchase of Bracebridge, Ontario; and Linda (Bill) McKenzie of Rhinelander.
Al is further survived by ninenieces and nephews, 14 grandnieces and grandnephews, and five great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews, each cherished by their Uncle Al.
A celebration of life and times will be scheduled for a later date. In the meantime, to all of you who are missing him, please share a beer, a memory, a laugh whenever the Packers play, the Cubbies win, the Badgers score…
Carlson Funeral Home (715-369-1414 / www.carlsonfh.com) assisted with arrangements.
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