Albert Henry Facklam, 87, of rural Oakhill, Kansas, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the Good Samaritan Society - Minneapolis where he has resided the past few years while battling Alzheimer's disease.

He was born on January 18, 1926, to Harold and Christine Facklam at the family farm home near Alida, Kansas. Albert was the oldest of four children. He was raised in the Alida area, and graduated from Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman with the class of 1944.

Albert married Lucille Ervin on June 11, 1950, at the Alida-Upland Church. To this union were born four children. The Facklams lived on a farm near Alida until 1963, at which time the Milford Lake project necessitated a move. They bought a farm near Oakhill, in rural Clay County. Mr. Facklam was very involved in serving the community. He served on the Oakland Township Board, the Oakhill Telephone Company board, and as an Elder at the Oakhill Presbyterian Church. He had also been involved with 4-H throughout his life, showing cattle as a youngster, helping with the construction of the Rock Springs 4-H Camp, and serving as an adult leader of the Sturdy Oak 4-H Club. Albert was always ready to lend a helping hand to his neighbors.

Mr. Facklam loved his family and life on the farm. He and Lucille were both strong advocates of education, even taking the children on the tractor across snowy fields to meet the school bus. They were proud that all four of their children graduated from college, and were interested in seeing that their grandchildren and great grandchildren receive a college education. Albert was always entertaining others with his poetry recitation, and telling the presidents and dates they served. He even learned new poems late in life, just to show that he could still learn something new. He will be greatly missed by his family.

He is survived by his son, Bert and wife Jeanie Facklam of Tescott, Kansas; three daughters, Catherine and husband Larry Harden of North Platte, Nebraska, Heidi and husband Frank Novotny of Louisville, Nebraska, and Vickie and husband Dee Short of Williamsburg, Kansas; grandchildren Brandy (Justin) Ladwig, LeighAnn and Frank Novotny, Caleb and Noah Short, Tara (Rick) Wilson, Rick (Kathy) Stein, Sara (Corey) Dilday, Sandra (Matt) Larsen, and Tad Harden; thirteen great grandchildren; brother Harold (Venice) Facklam of Junction City, Kansas; sister Wanda Sowell of Aiea, Hawaii; brother-in-law Bill (Reggie) Ervin of Bartlesville, OK; sisters-in-law Helen Ervin, Ida Ervin, Margie Ervin and Mary Ervin; nieces, nephews, and family friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 53 years, Lucille; his sister Marjorie Facklam; brothers-in-law Edgar (Irene), Ralph, Emery, Bob, and Jerry Ervin; and sister-in-law Waunetta (Oscar) Brott.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M., Monday, July 29 at the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Rose Meron Cemetery, Longford. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. Sunday at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis where the family will receive friends from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Oak Hill Presbyterian Church or Good Samaritan Society – Minneapolis.