John Charles Albaugh

 

 

John Charles Albaugh, 79 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, formerly of Upsala, MN  passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at his residence. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Faith Lutheran Church in Little Falls, with Pastor Nate Bjorge officiating. Burial will be at Darling Cemetery northwest of Little Falls. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday, December 15th and on Saturday from 10 to 11 AM, both at the church. Arrangements are with Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.

Albaugh was born on October 30, 1938 at St. Lukes Hospital Cedar Rapids Iowa. John was the first-born child of Charles Alden and Helen Martha Albaugh.

He is preceeded in death by his parents Charles Alden Albaugh and Helen Martha (Johnson) Albaugh and his only sibling David Alden Albaugh.

John is survived by his devoted wife of 43 years Janette (Oslund) Albaugh. Four children and their spouses John (Chuck) Albaugh & Shannon, Ben Albaugh and Grace, James (Pat) Albaugh and Kari, Susan Knopik and David. 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren along with brother-in-law and sister-in-laws, cousins, nephews, nieces and countless friends.

Education was always very important to John. He is a graduate of John W. Hanes High School in Winston Salem, North Carolina, graduating with Honors. A Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Wake Forest University. A Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota and a PhD in Administrative Management from Walden University. He continued learning his entire life, possibly holding the record for the most consecutive semesters of Spanish I at the University of Wisconsin, White Water, (He never gave up). Work was always a central part of John’s life. He started working at a drug store as well as driving a school bus to support his young family while attending Wake Forest University. After graduation, he took a job with Firestone as a District Sales Manager, being promoted to Regional Sales Manager. Due to the heavy travel demands and separation from his family he changed career paths and began his Health Care profession at Saint Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls MN. He went on to become the Executive Director of Monticello-Big Lake Community Hospital. Moving to Worthington, Minnesota to become Administrator of the Regional Hospital. His last position was as President and CEO of Fort Atkinson Memorial Health Services at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. He retired as Life Fellow from the American College of HealthCare Executives. From the very beginning of his adult life, Community Service was a top priority. He worked tirelessly with many service organizations, Chamber of Commerce, Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, United Way and many more, often serving as a Director and many times as the President of these many organizations. One of his great disappointments was when he had to stop serving at the local Food Shelf this past summer, (He thanked his friend Bonnie for taking over his shifts a few days before his passing). As a lifelong learner, he developed a great affinity for traveling. He and his wife Janette traveled the globe visiting all 7 Continents, Asia, Europe, Australia, North and South America, Africa and even Antarctica, and always wanting to learn from the people during these travels. He developed a special bond with the people of southern Mexico and Central America while servicing several Missions to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras for over 20 years. He was a man of great Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherever he lived he worked with his Church in any position that was needed, from Greeter to Sunday School Teacher to President of the Church Council. He even attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota so that he could help the Congregations that he was a part of. He and his wife are founding members of Faith Lutheran Church of Little Falls and they were so happy to be a part of that wonderful, thoughtful, caring community where they loved to serve. With the benefit of technology, he was able to read Scriptures to the Congregation on November 26, 2017, he loved being able to give back a little for all the service that his Faith Lutheran family was giving to him and his wife. John, Dad and Papa John you taught us, inspired us, showed us by example, played with us, laughed with us and loved us. He loved his family and his family loved him. We miss you.