Alfons Michael Alt, 69

Alfons Michael Alt, 69, died at Kootenai Medical Center on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, after a valiant effort against cancer.

A visitation was held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel, 109 N. Division St. in Sandpoint, Idaho.

The Vigil Service was held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Service, 109 N. Division St. in Sandpoint.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Sixth and Oak in Sandpoint. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint. Father Dennis C. Day and Father Timothy J. O'Donovan will con-celebrate the service.

Al was born the fifth of 10 children to Johann and Anna Alt on the family farm in Hochabrunn, Bavaria, Germany, on March 20, 1937.

On Jan. 24, 1953, Al, at age 14, and his brother John left Germany to pursue a better life in America. On Feb. 2, 1953, they arrived in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, to begin a new life with their sponsor and beloved aunt, Rosina Neumayer.

Al graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1957. It was there that Al began his lifelong passion for education and sports. Al excelled in football and boxing and was a four-year, four-sport letterman. In the winter season of 1956-57, Al won the Idaho Golden Gloves Boxing Championship. In the fall of 1957, Al started his college career with a full ride football scholarship at Eastern Washington State College, now Eastern Washington University. He earned NAIA All-American status in 1960 and 1961 for football. In the fall of 1962, Al graduated from EWU with a bachelor's degree.

Al then went on to become a member of the Canadian Football League as a middle linebacker and place kicker with the Saskatchewan Roughriders where he played for one season. Al was inducted into Sandpoint Bulldog Hall of Fame in 2004 for his many years of coaching dedication.

In 1967, Al met the love of his life, best friend and life-long partner, Margaret Ellen Gilligan in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada, where they were both teaching for the U.S. Department of Defense. Al and Margaret spent 38 wonderful years together, 36 of which were spent in Sandpoint. Al built his home in Sandpoint in 1971 and raised his family there. He enjoyed his garden and fruit orchard and backyard barbecues.

Al especially enjoyed picking fruits and vegetables with his grandchildren, Jakob and Fischer.

Al's 34-year teaching career included teaching high school industrial arts, consumer economics and German I, II and III at Sandpoint High School between 1970 and 1996. Al coached numerous sports during his tenure at SHS including assistant football, assistant wrestling and Head Track and Field coach. Al worked many weekends and summers as a carpenter and built many homes in the area.

But, it was in the forests of North Idaho where he felt his heart restored. Al loved to hunt, fish, hike and pick huckleberries with his family and friends. Al enjoyed his time at the "40" on the Kootenai River where he, with James and Erwin, built a cedar hunting cabin with only hand tools. Al spent most of his high school and college summers working for the U.S. Forest Service on trail crews and forest fire teams.

Al is survived by his wife, Margaret; son Michael Alfons Alt; son James Mathew (Kari) Alt; grandson Jakob Wilhelm Alt; grandson Lukas Fischer Alt; brothers John (Linda), Erwin, Herb (Jackie), Franz (Maria), Sepp (Tina) and Karl (Analiesa); sisters Rosina Ederer, Ella (Hans) Bauer and Anna (Johann) Kraus; brothers-in-law James P. (Rita) Gilligan, Arthur T. (Mary, deceased) McNeil; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children Research Hospital at http://www.stjude.org (1-800-873-6983) or to the St. Joseph's Building Fund in Sandpoint.

"The Poor without Christ are, of all men, the most miserable. But the Poor with Christ are Kings and Princes of the Earth." — Norman McClain

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.