Aloysius (Al) John Bossert, 84, Bismarck, passed away Wednesday, December 26, 2012, at a Bismarck hospital.

Al was born February 28, 1928 to German-Russian parents, Mathias and Margaret (Klein) Bossert, on their family homestead near Karlsruhe. Al grew up there, attended school in Karlsruhe, and earned his high school equivalency degree in Minot.

One of Al's first jobs was working as a bellhop at the old Roosevelt Hotel in Minot. There he met the love of his life, Dorothy Evenrud, whom he married on November 29, 1950. Shortly after his marriage, Al was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951 and served overseas in Austria and Germany for two years. Because he was fluent in German, he often acted as an interpreter for his military command. After he returned from service, he found employment as a brakeman with the Great Northern Railway, which became the Burlington Northern (BN) Railway. When he began railroading, the trains were still powered by steam engine. Al was promoted to conductor and worked for BN for more than 40 years. In addition to railroading, he also operated a tree-trimming business in Minot for many years.

Al and Dorothy raised their family of four sons and four daughters in Minot. Al was a long-time member of Little Flower Catholic Church and all eight of his children graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in Minot.

While still working, Al built a retirement home on Lake Sakakawea near Garrison. He enjoyed planting trees and landscaping his lake home, as well as gardening. It was there that he and Dorothy lived many happy years, often sharing their lake home with their family and friends. Al liked boating and fishing and the view from his patio window. He was an avid reader of biographies and history. He and Dorothy were also members of St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison.

Al and Dorothy celebrated 55 years of marriage and renewed their vows at their 50th Golden Jubilee. After Dorothy passed away in 2006, Al moved to Bismarck. He has resided at the Edgewood Village since 2011.

His survivors include four daughters, Patricia (Rick) Schremp, Denver, CO, Karen (Bruce) Ferrara, Minneapolis, MN, Nannette (Curt) Johnson, Bismarck, and LouAnne (Gerry) Tweten, Glendive, MT; three sons, Stephen (Trish) Bossert, Pelican Rapids, MN, Richard, Carbondale, CO, and Kenneth (Paula), Wahpeton; 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; one brother, Leo, Eugene, OR, and six sisters, Mary Keller, Minot, Kay Gefroh, Portland, OR, RoseAnn Senger, Portland, OR, Peggy Franta, Kansas City, MO, Beata Berndt, Portland, OR, and Theresa Willey, Casper, WY.

Al's beloved son, Robert, preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were three brothers, Adolf, Edwin and Edward and one sister, Regina Wyszkowski.

Rosary will be said Sunday at 5 p.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Garrison. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Monday, December 31, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. Internment will follow at the St. Nicholas Catholic Cemetery, Garrison.

Memorials: GOD'S CHILD Project.