A past Chairman (1983-84) of the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association (now NPPGA), and a prominent name in the potato industry both locally and nationally has died.
Alan D. Collette, "AC", age 77 of Grafton, ND passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND, surrounded by the love and comfort of his family.
Alan was born October 13, 1939 in Acton Township, Oakwood, North Dakota, the son of the late Almond and Diana (Primeau) Collette. He attended school and graduated from St. Aloysius Academy, Oakwood, North Dakota. Alan was united in marriage to Susan Hudacko on October 18, 1960 in Warsaw, ND.
He has farmed all his life until his death. He was well known for his innovative ideas and progressive farming practices including cofounder of the first 4 row potato harvester for the Red River Valley.
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He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Oakwood and served on the parish council. He served on many boards: Drayton Factory District of American Crystal for 12 years; VP and President of the Walsh County Sugarbeet Grower Association; Walsh County Crop Improvement Board; Grafton Community Truck Scale; National Potato Council Steering Committee; Executive; Public and Growers Relations. Member of the Grand Forks Elks; Walsh County Farm Bureau; Grafton Fair Oaks Golf Club; Grafton Curling Club. Served on the Red River Valley Potato Growers Association; Transportation Task Force; Marketing Board; Advertising and Promotion Board all from 1978-1984.
Some awards and achievements were the Soil Conservation Award 1976, Centennial Tree Farmer 1987, Red River Valley Potato Growers Association Meritorious Service Award 1988, Red River Valley Sugar Association Beet Growers Service Award 1988.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and traveling, especially spending time in California with his family during the winter months. He played baseball and hockey in high school and served as captain of the hockey team the last three years of high school and bowled on leagues for 25 consecutive years.
Alan is survived by his wife of 56 years. He was a faithful and devoted father to his children: Cynthia, Grafton, ND; Darryl (Vonda) Collette, Grafton, ND; Suellen (Kenneth) Lindsay, Minnetonka, MN; and Nancy Sweet, Glendale, AZ; 6 grandchildren: Kameron, Evan and Molly Collette, Nicollette and Sophia Lindsay, and Nicole Sweet. Siblings: Doris (Elmer) Altendorf of Minto, ND, LeRoy (Spike) Collette, Iris (Curt) Holten of Kelso, WA, Diane (Bill) Hanson of Longmont, CO and Mary (Rich) McCool of Kelso, WA. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers: Merlyn, Ronald, and Phillip.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 10, 2016 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Oakwood, ND. Visitation will be Friday, December 9, 2016 from 4-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Oakwood and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Interment will be at the church cemetery. The family would prefer memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Make a Wish Foundation.
An online guest book is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com
The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.
