Albie Ann Walsh

Albie Ann Walsh, 91, died on Friday morning, May 20, 2022, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson, with a Rosary at 4:45 pm and a Parish Prayer Service at 6:00 pm and will continue Thursday, May 26, 2022, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am St. Francis Catholic Church in Benson, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:0 am. Memorials can be given to Carris Health-Rice Hospice and Swift County Food Shelf.  Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Church Cemetery in Benson. Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Albie Ann (Payne) Walsh was the daughter of Warren and Margaret (Zurn) Payne. She was born in Benson on March 20, 1931, at the Benson Hospital, baptized in St. Bridget’s Church in DeGraff and confirmed at St. Francis Church in Benson. She attended country school through the 8 ^th grade and graduated from Benson High School. After graduation she was a clerk-stenographer for the Willmar State Hospital, for the F.B.I. in Washington D.C., and at the Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

She was married to Henry Walsh on June 9, 1952, at St. Francis, Catholic Church by father Doerrer. They were married for 63 years. She lived with her parents in Benson while Henry was stationed in the United States Air Force in Fairbanks, Alaska. During this time their first son Gregory was born. They had seven children. She and Henry farmed south of Benson since 1954 and retired in 1994 and moved to Benson.

Albie was an eager volunteer. She taught religion for 26 years and was co-supervisor for the Befrienders Committee for the five area parishes for over 30 years. She served on several church committees, distributed communion, delivered Meals on Wheels, and served on the funeral committee. She loved music and sang in the church choir for years, served as song leader, and was in the bell choir. She received the Bishop’s Medal of Honor for her church work.

She also enjoyed doing community work. She was the Promotion and Education chairman for the Farm Bureau in Swift County for 18 years, was the Promotion and Education chairman for the State Farm Bureau for 6 years, was on the State Farm Bureau Board of Directors for 2 years. She was active in the Chamber of Commerce Board, on the Hospital Auxiliary Board, a member of the VFW work Group, a member of the Coterie Study Club, and the St. Francis Family Groups. Albie was a steward of the Catholic Faith and enjoyed many things: playing piano, playing Bridge, doing custom sewing, knitting, creating needle work, and organizing things. Most of all, Albie enjoyed spending time with Henry and her family. She was called from this life on Friday morning May 20, 2022, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson. She attained the age of 91 years and 2 months.

She is preceded in death by her husband Henry, her son Gregory, her parents Warren and Margaret, her twin brother Albert (Bud) and his wife Betty, her sister Thelma and her husband Jess Pahl, her sister Lillian and her husband Manuel Flolo, her sister Rose Mary, and her husband Vernal Nokleby, and nieces Becky Payne, Mary Ann Thompson, and Kathy Payne.  She is survived by 6 of her children and their spouses, Veronica “Vicky” (Tom) Traen, Timothy (Cindy) Walsh, Robert (Mary) Walsh, Anthony (Vickie) Walsh, Elizabeth “Lisa” (Eric) Peterson, and Daniel (Tanya) Walsh; 18 grandchildren and their spouses, 27 great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Blessed be her memory.