Albert F. Bot

ALBERT FRANCIS BOT was born on June 6, 1921 to William and Mary (Stassen) Bot in Ghent, Minnesota. He grew up and attended school in Marshall, Minnesota, graduating from Marshall High School in 1939. In 1942, Al entered the service of his country during World War II, and was active in the Pacific Theater. He served in both branches of the Marines and Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. He then attended South Dakota State University in Brookings where he studied pharmacy. In 1948, he left the Midwest and moved to Coronado, California and worked at the Orange Avenue Pharmacy. On February 6, 1952, Al was united in marriage to Barbara Breen. Their union was blessed with five children and 64 years of marriage together. In 1955, Al and Barb moved to Luverne, Minnesota where they raised their five children. Al owned and operated Bot Drug Store on Main Street in Luverne for 34 years, until his retirement in 1989. In 2009, Al entered the care of the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, where on Sunday, April 24, 2016 he died peacefully at the age of 94 years, 10 months and 18 days.

Al was a member of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Luverne and active with the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Rotary Club, had served as president of the Luverne Country Club, and was on the Luverne School Board for 13 years. He enjoyed tennis, bridge, golf, fishing, camping, traveling, gardening, hiking, and spending time with his family.

Al is lovingly remembered by his wife Barbara of Luverne; five children, Kris Anne (and Robert) Christenson of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Robin (and John) Fritsch of Sioux Falls, Jono (and Susan) Bot of Sioux Falls, Connie (and Rodney) England of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Jennifer (and Kerry) Middleton of Edina, Minnesota; 14 grandchildren, Brooks, Jono, Kaitlin and Marie Claire Christenson, Andrew, Rachel, Joanna, Veronica and Luke Fritsch, Kelli Spader, Patrick and Philip England, and Jack and Andrea Middleton; three great-grandchildren, Josie, Jhaimann and Briggs; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Elizabeth Fritsch; grandson, Thomas Cole England; parents, William and Mary; four brothers, Louis, William, Joseph, and John Bot; and four sisters, Betty Mack, Mary Van Moore, Helen Johnson, and Donna Withers. Blessed and eternal be his memory.

Memorials may be directed to the Luverne Dollars for Scholars or Sanford Luverne Hospice.