Alvin Douglas Niemi

BESSEMER, Mich. - Alvin Douglas Niemi, 76, of Bessemer, passed away on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in Duluth, Minnesota, surrounded by his loving family, following five-and-a-half years of peritoneal at home dialysis treatment and an 11-day hospitalization for a peritonitis infection.

On Aug. 21, 1947, in Ironwood, he was born to Arvo and Jane (Grenfell) Niemi. Al attended Bessemer Township Schools and graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer with the class of 1965. He continued his education at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood and then Northern Michigan University in Marquette graduating in June 1969, with a bachelor of science in business education. During Al's final semester, on March 1, 1969, he met the love of his life, Constance Mary Smith, through a mutual friend on a blind date. On June 6, 1970, Al and Connie were united in marriage at Christ the King Catholic Church in Ramsay, by Connie's uncle, the Rev. B. Neil Smith. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage together.

Al was the distributive education teacher/coordinator for the Portage Public Schools in Portage, Wisconsin, for seven years before pursuing a career as a State Farm Insurance Agent in River Falls, Wisconsin. After six weeks, Connie and Al agreed the partnership was not working and they moved their family of four to Bessemer, where they resided with Al's parents. There were seven people in a two-bedroom home.

As fate would have it, Al began work at Bessemer Auto Company Ford Dealership as a new/used car salesman and later was promoted to accountant, a position he held for 30 years.

For 40 plus years, Al and Connie have resided on the 40-acre family farm Al's grandparents owned, and have done extensive renovations on the old farm house to make it their own.

Al was a caring husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who always wanted to be in everybody's business to try to help them out, even if they didn't take his advice. He had a kind heart and always helped those in need.

Al enjoyed traveling with his whole family; trips were taken to Orlando, Florida; Branson, Missouri; Seattle; Washington DC; Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans and many other points of interest shared with Kristy and Scott. He also enjoyed his travels with his dear kindergarten friend, Dick Brors, and his wife, Nancy. They were able to travel to South Padre Island, Texas; Galveston, Texas; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Panama City Beach, Florida; and Las Vegas together.

Al could talk to anyone; he loved his trips to the casino where he always seemed to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to him. Al always enjoyed a road trip to watch his grandson, Justin, play on the Polar Bear and Blizzard Hockey teams. He tried to attend as many of Hanna's hockey, volleyball, basketball and other sporting events as possible along with Calli's cheerleading and horse riding adventures. He was recently able to watch Demetrius play soccer on his U10 Spring Traveling Team out of Ashland, Wisconsin.

Al is survived by his wife, Connie; a son, Scott (Amanda); a daughter, Kristy (Virgil) Baross; six grandchildren, Justin (Whitlee), Hanna (Michael), Calli, Michael, Demetrius and Kayli; a great-grandson, Colton; a brother, Tim; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Debbie and Dave Kolehmainen; and his brother-in-law, Jerry Smith. Al is further survived by two uncles, Jack (Dorothy) Grenfell and Jerry Grenfell; an aunt, Jeanette (Don) DeWitt; three nephews; several cousins; his dear friends, Dick and Nancy Brors and Dan and Myriam Brors; and many other friends and former coworkers, who shared the love and all things about cars.

He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Kevin Kerry; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Francis and Joyce Smith; his grandparents; and several aunts and uncles.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors, nurses and specialists who have cared for or have been a part of Al's medical journey over the years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Aug. 2, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 210 E. Iron St., in Bessemer, with the Rev. Dominic Agyapong, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer.

Luncheon will be served at Father Swoboda Hall at the church immediately upon return from the cemetery.

Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, is assisting the family. To send online condolences, please go to lakesidememorialchapel.com.