Memorial services for Alois Schirle, 89, of Albert Lea will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Church of St. Theodore. The Rev. James Berning and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Interment will be at West Concord. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.

Alois died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Good Samaritan Center.

Alois Schirle was born on April 15, 1919, to Johann and Rosa (Fischer) Schirle in Buhlerzell, Germany. He left his home at 15 years of age to spend two years learning the baking trade. In 1939, he spent six months in Arbeitsdienst, a German trade school. In August of 1939 he was drafted into the German Army. He served during the French Invasion of the war and in June of 1941 was involved with the War in Russia. In 1945, he became an English prisoner of war north of the city of Schleswig, at Schleswig-Holstein and was released in September of 1945. After the war he began working in bakeries in Stuttgart-Fellbach until 1951. On Oct. 25, 1951, Alois came to the United States and settled in Minneapolis. He worked for Murray&8217;s Restaurant as the baker until his retirement in 1992. Alois married Ruth Gennies on May 4, 1957, in Minneapolis. He was a member of Incarnation Catholic Church in Minneapolis and later a member of St. Richard&8217;s Catholic Church in Richfield. He was also a member of the Liederkranz, a German men&8217;s choir, in Minneapolis. Alois came to live with his family in Albert Lea after his wife&8217;s death. He loved gardening, and baking for his family. Alois enjoyed bird watching and being outdoors. He also enjoyed sports, especially the Twins and Vikings.

Survivors include his children, Claudia (Mark) Rofshus of Albert Lea and their children Laura and Ryan Rofshus, both of Plymouth; Sue (Chuck) McKaige of Willmar and their children Jenny (Nishanth) Kannan and son, Tylar of Sioux Falls, S.D., and Dan McKaige of Brookings, S.D.; sister, Hedwig Alfson of Roseville; brother, Rudi Schirle of Germany; and many nieces and nephews.

Alois was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth; and seven brothers and sisters.

Memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society or the Leukemia Society of America.