Allen E. Dalgarn, 87, of Scottsbluff, passed away Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Heritage Estates in Gering after several months of illness. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, May 26, 2017 at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Sheryl Kester-Beyer officiating. The United States Air Force will provide military funeral honors. Inurnment will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Scottsbluff. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place in accordance with his wishes. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Calvary Lutheran Church.

Al was born in Kimball to Ted and Mable (Evertson) Dalgarn on April 4, 1930. He spend the first years of his schooling in Kimball. The family moved to Scottsbluff in 1944 where Ted started his auto repair business. He built a new shop that now is the Steel Grill.

Al graduated from Scottsbluff High School where he enjoyed school and was on the football team. Later he attended Scottsbluff Junior College where he again played football. While Al was in college he worked for the Carl Norton Nursery where he developed a love of trees and their proper care. After two years of Junior College he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln for two years.

Al joined the US Air Force Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He was trained in Jet Aircraft before being sent to Ellsworth Air Base in Rapid City, SD where he was attached to the 54th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Al met Barbara Jean Olson during this time and the two were married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City.

After four years of flying F84s and F86s as a jet pilot during the Korean War, Al wanted to be a civilian. The family now included a baby, Jeff. They moved back to Scottsbluff. Al worked for Nortons again and his daughter, Kathy, was born in 1959. Norton Nursery moved to Midland, TX and the Dalgarns also moved. A son, Greg, was born about a month before the family moved back to Scottsbluff in 1962.

Al began his own tree business after moving back to Scottsbluff. Al’s fourth child, Jonathan, was born in 1964 in Scottsbluff. Al enjoyed his many customers. He also enjoyed participating in several bowling leagues, even bowling a perfect 300 game in a couple’s league at the Orange Bowl. Al was a long-time member of Calvary Lutheran Church, Scottsbluff Elks, the Park Board and the ESU 13 Board.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara, of 62 years; sons, Jeff of Phoenix, AZ, Greg (Cindy) of Scottsdale, AZ, and Jonathan of Ft. Lauderdale, FL; daughter, Kathy (Carey) Mark of Scottsdale, AZ; grandsons, Colby Mark, Lucas Mark and Drew Dalgarn; brother, Collin (Denise) Dalgarn of Camarillo, CA; brothers-in-law, Paul Heidemann of Kimball and Don Trettenero of Windsor, CO; many relatives, nieces, nephews and many, many dear friends.

Al was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Margie Ann Heidemann and Mary Louise Trettenero.

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