Alvin 'Al' Ayshford — Hot Springs, Ark.

Alvin "Al" Ayshford, 88, of Hot Springs, Ark., passed away Saturday, April 20, 2013, under the care of Arkansas Hospice at Mercy Hospital in Hot Springs.

His funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville, with the Rev. Dr. Roger Kvam officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Pleasant Grove.

Alvin Loren Ayshford was born June 26, 1924, in Donna, Texas, to Stuart and Margaret (Gerber) Ayshford. His maternal grandparents, Arthur and Emma Ayshford raised him from the age ofeight on their farm in rural Pleasant Grove Township, Olmsted County. He attended country school and Stewartville schools, graduating from Stewartville High School in 1943. Al was married on Oct. 20, 1946, at the United Methodist Church in Stewartville, to Gloria M. Kvam. Following their marriage, the couple farmed in rural Stewartville for a few years. Al had a long career as an over-the-road truck driver and at the time of his retirement was leasing trucks to his former employer, Gillette Co. in St. Paul. Gloria was a longtime employee of General Motors Co. in St.Paul in their accounting department.

Following their retirement, Al and Gloria moved to a hobby farm in River Falls, Wis., where they raised horses and Al got to enjoy country living again. In 1996, they retired again moving to Hot Springs, Ark., where they have continued to make their home. Al enjoyed raising and riding horses and he and Gloria rode in 12 of former Gov. Al Quie's rides across Minnesota. He was an avid reader and enjoyed visiting with friends and family.

Gloria would like to extend grateful thank-you to QUAPAW Care and Rehabilitation, Arkansas Hospice and Mercy Hospital, all of Hot Springs, for their expert and dedicated care of Al.

Al is survived by his wife of 66 years Gloria; his sister, Joyce Nereson of White Bear Lake; and many nieces and nephews; three sisters-in-law, Phyllis (Don) Hieftje of Hot Springs, Ark., Arva Prescher Kvam of Phoenix, Ariz., and Patricia Hoehn of Brooklyn Park; two brothers-in-law, Rev. Dr. Roger (Debbie) Kvam of Marietta, Ga., and Frank (Joan) Kvam of Hudson, Wis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, two sisters and three brothers.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service Tuesday morning, April 30, at Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville.

Any memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church or Arkansas Hospice, both in Hot Springs, or to the donor's choice.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. griffin-gray.com .