Alvin “Big Al” H. New Jr., 82

Alvin “Big Al” H. New Jr., 82, of Grand Island, Neb.,  died March 9, 2021 at CHI-Health St. Francis.

Visitation was  held on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m., at All Faiths Funeral Home.

Services will be held Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 2 p.m., at All Faiths Funeral Home. Dan Naranjo will officiate.

Services in his hometown of Winner, SD will be held at Mason Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 625 W. 3rd St., Winner, SD 57580, on Friday March 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. with visitation the hour prior. Burial will follow in Winner City Cemetery.

All Faiths Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.

Al was born on November 27, 1938, eldest son of Alvin H. and Gula (Perry) New Sr. in Winner, South Dakota.

He graduated from Winner High School and attended South Dakota School of Mines. However, his love for farming led him back to the fields. On April 4, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Donna Horstman. They built a beautiful life together on the family farm but times were tough and they decided to move to Grand Island in 1972.

While living in Grand Island Al began working for Stahla Mobile Homes. Big Al was known as Mr. Fix It by family and friends and enjoyed the different projects that each day brought. He was skilled in general construction, plumbing, woodworking and masonry. Al was famous for his large garden that he tended to meticulously, everyone enjoyed the fruits of his labor.

Al always enjoyed returning back to South Dakota for yearly hunting, fishing and camping trips. He loved family time spent with his kids, grandkids and more recently great-grandkids. Even when life and health was against Al you would never know, he wasn’t one to complain. He was a simple man who will be missed for his strength and determination.

Al is survived by daughter, Diane (Jim) Stevenson of Doniphan; son, Doug (Annette) New of Kearney; grandchildren, Brent (Jen) Stevenson, Brady (Kylee) Stevenson, Kelsey (Josh) Meier, Brandon (Amy) New, Tara (Logan) Ruzicka and Sean (Lorena) Schultz; seven great-grandchildren with one on the way, along with many extended family and friends.   He was preceded in death by his wife on February 24, 2021; parents, stepmother, Dorothy (Schneider) New; brother, Duane New and sister, Betty Lou Heying.