Alfred Anthony Kasner

Al was the most patient and kind person I have ever known. He passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s at the age of 87 on January 4, 2021 with his wife by his side. His Catholic faith was strong and his belief that all things were in God’s hands sustained him, particularly in his later years. He was born on January 20, 1933 at a farmhouse in Benton County, Minnesota; he is the only child of Alfred Frank and Helen Kasner. Al was so tiny that he fit in a shoebox and was kept by the woodstove for warmth. Edith, his grandmother, raised him and he loved her dearly.  Al moved to Oregon in 1941 and graduated from Umatilla High School in 1950 where he played football and baseball. Al met the love of his life, Sue, during high school while he worked at the neighborhood grocery store. Al attended Oregon State University for one year. He chose to forgo college and began working at Sue’s father’s grocery store. On April 6, 1952, during Sue’s senior year, Al picked her up after school and insisted they get married. They were blessed with four beautiful children. The oldest, Cathy, was born in 1954, followed by Janet in 1955. In 1966, Steve was born and Nancy was born in 1967. He had a successful career with Albertsons, beginning as a front-end manager in Walla Walla, Washington and ending as the Vice President of grocery sales in the general office. His career took him and his family to Richland, Pasco, Spokane, and San Jose. Al opened the first Albertson’s in Pasco in 1966. They settled down in Boise in 1978 and soon after he became the Vice President of grocery sales in the general office. Al retired in 1995 and was thrilled to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Al was a thoughtful, loving husband, dad, and grandad. Family was always Al’s first priority and this showed throughout his lifetime. He loved his in-laws and saw them like they were his own parents. Al took Sue to the White Sands in New Mexico multiple times, knowing Sue cherished the National Park. They took their grandchildren to Disneyworld and Disneyland where they made many fun memories. When one of his daughters fell ill, he flew to the Mayo Clinic to take care of her just six weeks after having a quadruple bypass. Al and Sue spent their lives together raising their four children, traveling, gardening, dancing, golfing, and walking along the Boise River. Some of their favorite places to travel were Hawaii, Alaska, New Zealand, and taking cruises through the Panama Canal. Al adored his little dog, Sadie. Together they took daily strolls around the neighborhood park and sat on their porch swing watching Loggers Creek and the wildlife. Above all, he loved spending time with family and playing with his grandchildren. Al leaves behind Sue, his wife of 68 years; his four children, Cathy (Marc) Bond, Janet (Ed) Waters, Steve Kasner, and Nancy (Jack) Catlin, along with his six grandchildren, Travis Bond, Carly Bond, Katie Bond, Juli and (Matt) Bunker, Cody Catlin, and Sydney Catlin; and his half-siblings Ken Kasner and Valerie Kelly. We want to thank the Willow Park Memory Care staff for all their help and kindness in caring for Al, especially Abby, Amy, Shiloe and Behija. Per Al’s request there will no service and the family will have a private memorial service at a later date. The cremation service is under the direction of the Cremation Society of Idaho. The world has lost a kind and gentle man.