Alfred Hedenberg

Alfred William (Bill) Hedenberg, 87, of Duluth, MN and Sarasota, FL passed away on September 27, 2014 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. Bill was born April 5, 1927 in Duluth to Hilda (Niebert) and G.A.W. Hedenberg. He attended East Junior HS, and graduated from Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault, MN in 1945. After serving in the US Marine Corp, Bill graduated from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus in 1951, earning a Civil Engineering degree. He was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.

Bill met the love of his life, Ellen Louise Tofte, and they were married on December 7, 1957. Ellen and Bill would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary this year.

Bill began his career with A. Hedenberg & Co. in 1951, becoming President in 1970. He retired in 1995. His company built many buildings in the Northland, including the US Bank building, former Duluth Airport, Radisson Hotel, Y.M.C.A, the Copper Top Church, U.W.S Roth Student Center, D.E.C.C. Phase 4, Minnesota Power, Miller Dwan, Goodwill, D.T.A Operating Center, Midtown Manor II, King Manor, various buildings on the U.M.D. and Essentia campuses, and others too numerous to list.

Bill was on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Bank of Commerce, US Bank, and he was President of the Duluth Airport Authority and Kitchi Gammi Club. He was on the Board of Trustees at Pilgrim Congregational and was a board member at Port Superior Yacht Club and The Oaks Preserve Condominium Association. Bill was a longtime member of the Duluth Rotary and Boy Scouts Troop #8. Bill belonged to The Field Club in Sarasota, FL and The Oak's Golf & Country Club in Osprey, FL. He was a longtime member of Northland Country Club.

Bill enjoyed a variety of social and recreational activities. He was an accomplished pilot and sailor. Bill was an avid skier, golfer and tennis player. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and telling stories about his life experiences. He and Ellen travelled extensively, taking every opportunity to be on either a plane or a boat.

Bill was very involved in the activities of his children and 13 grandchildren in a variety of settings including at the rink, the field, the pool, concert halls and many other venues. He loved having his family around.

He is preceded in death by his son Allen William, his parents and his sister Georgiana (Nana) Holland.

He is survived by his wife Ellen, his four daughters Dawn (William) Paul of Duluth; Lisa (John) Hibbard of Irvine, CA; Susan (Rocky) Anderson of Duluth; Amy (Robert) Vose of Edina, MN; 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2014 with a 10:00 a.m. visitation followed by an 11:00 a.m. service at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E 4th Street, Duluth, MN.
Memorials may be directed to Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth MN 55811 or William Hedenberg Scholarship Fund, 5817 Eastview Drive, Edina MN 55436.