Keith Fligge

Funeral services for Keith A. Fligge will be held at 11:00AM on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 at First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, with Pastor John Holt officiating.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will take place from 4 - 7 PM on Tuesday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea, as well as one hour prior to the service at the church.

Keith passed away on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the age of 84 after a courageous battle with lymphoma.

Keith was born in Albert Lea on March 16, 1934 to Alfred A. and Bernardine (Holway) Fligge.  He attended school in Albert Lea, graduating in 1952.  In high school, he was active in Student Council.  He lettered in basketball for two years and golf for six years.  In his senior year, the golf team was Big 9, Regional, and Minnesota State Champions.  They had a record of 47 matches without a loss.

Following high school, Keith attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a BA degree in Journalism.  He was a member of Theta Xi Fraternity and was a Fraternity President in ’56 and ’57.  He remained a proud member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.  He was a member of the Unites States Reserve/Air National Guard from 1957 to 1963.

In 1958, he joined ALMCO – Queen Products as a Management Trainee.  In 1959, he was assigned to a position as Field Engineer/Sales and moved to Western Michigan where he worked for 13 years.  In 1972, his long career with Queen Products brought him back to his home town where he continued to assume more responsibility with the ALMCO Division, and at the time ALMCO Division was sold, he was Manager of National/International Sales for ALMCO.

In 1986, he helped form a team of 13, who purchased the ALMCO Division from Household International, which was instrumental in keeping the firm in Albert Lea.  Together, they established ALMCO, Inc. an industrial finishing systems designer and manufacturer.  Keith was one of the three individuals who formed the Executive Management Team that led the new company.  He had responsibility for Company Sales.  In 1993, he was named President of the company and gained responsibility for Company Administration along with Company Sales.

In addition to his business career, Keith had been active in many community affairs.  He served on the Board of Directors of Greater Jobs, Inc.  He was president of the Albert Lea Port Authority and was a member of the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency.  He was a board member on the Albert Lea Sesquicentennial Fund-Raising Committee, and on the board of the Freeborn County Historical Society. He also volunteered on the Albert Lea Education Association board, the Albert Lea High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and was also a longtime member of the Fountain Investment Club. He also gave back at church, being on the Finance Committee, Commission, and as an usher for over 20 years, all at First Lutheran Church.

In 1960, Keith married Deloris E. Nelson and they had three sons, Steven, Mark, and David; all of whom graduated from Albert Lea High School.  He took pride in that he is an Albert Lea graduate and was able to find success right in his home town.

Keith is preceded in death by both parents, Alfred and Bernardine; mother and father in-law, Ray and Julia Nelson; a sister, Nadine (Tom) Spellman; and a nephew, Ward Spellman.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Deloris of Albert Lea; children, Steve (Shari) of Albert Lea, Mark (Lori) of St. Paul, MN, and David (Anne) of Deephaven, MN; grandchildren, Lauren and Louis, both age 13; nephew, Kent Spellman; as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to First Lutheran Church, First Lutheran Fligge Family Scholarship, Albert Lea Education Association Fligge Family Scholarship, or Donor’s Choice.