Alfred "Al" DeLeon, 82, of Britt, passed away Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at
the Kanawha Community Home.
Memorial Service for Al DeLeon will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 13, 2021
at First Lutheran Church in Britt. A time of visitation will be held one hour
prior to the Memorial Service.
Following the Memorial Service, there will be a luncheon and time of sharing.
Al DeLeon was born in San Antonio, TX, on April 28, 1938 to Joseph and Margarita
(Perez) DeLeon. Al's mother died when he was very young leaving his father with
the responsibility of caring for him and his nine siblings. In the late 1940's
Al's father moved his family to southern Minnesota where Al attended country
school and then Blue Earth High School, graduating in 1958. During his high
school years, Al participated in several sports but he excelled in wrestling and
became a three-time MN state champion. After high school he attended Minnesota
State University (Mankato State College) and become a 2-time All-American by
placing fourth (1961) and second (1962) at the NCAA National Wrestling
Tournament (Division 1). In the fall of 1962, Al was hired to coach wrestling
and teach Spanish at the high school in Britt, Iowa.
On July 3, 1966, he was united in marriage to Lois Shriver at the Danebod
Lutheran Church in Tyler, MN. They made their home in Britt where Al continued
his coaching/teaching career. He served as an assistant wrestling coach for
one year and then as head coach for the next 31 years. Over the span of his
years as a wrestling coach, Al had 29 state individual champions, 3 state team
championships and 7 state runner-up teams. Later he continued his coaching
career at Waldorf University. He has authored a wrestling book, received Hall
of Fame recognition and was chosen as the 1971 Coach of the Year in Iowa.
Al was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Britt where he served on the
Church Council and participated in Bible Study. During their years together, Al
and Lois traveled to Mexico and took many trips to places in the USA. One of
Al's favorite pastimes was sharing his homemade salsa and nacho dip with friends
and family members. He loved working with young people and spent many summers
working as an instructor at various wrestling camps. Al had a deep religious
faith which carried him through the difficult times and sustained him during the
good times. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who found many ways
to express his love for his family.
Al is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Lois of Britt, children, Marlene
(Jon) Leerar of Britt, John DeLeon of Farmington, NY, Justin DeLeon of
Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren Emily (Nate) Paulus, Kelly Leerar, Rachel Leerar,
Mallory Leerar, Allie DeLeon, Olivia DeLeon; brothers Hector (Grace) DeLeon of
Whittier, CA, Andrew DeLeon of Los Angeles, CA; sister Martha (Gene) Denn of St
Paul, MN; along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.