Dr. Albert Nisswandt
January 2, 1925 — June 3, 2013
Dr. Albert Louis Nisswandt of Knife River, MN died on June 3, 2013 at Essentia - St. Mary's Hospital Duluth from complications of heart disease.
He lived by the motto, Carpe Diem.
Albert was born on January 2,1925 in St. Paul, MN to Victor and Ellen Nisswandt and grew up during the Great Depression. After serving in the US Marine Corps in the South Pacific during World War II, he enrolled at the University of Minnesota, studied History and German, and graduated from the U of M medical school in 1953. Albert completed a neurosurgery
residency at the Mayo Clinic. After a brief time in California, he settled in Duluth, where he practiced neurosurgery and emergency medicine for 33 years.
Albert met the love of his life, Winna Fae Ingebrigtsen, in 1950. They met through a mutual love of canoeing and together raised 7 children and cherished their 19 grandchildren. Albert lived by his beloved Lake Superior, where he was an avid sailor. He and Winna Fae took their children on annual canoe trips to the Quetico Wilderness. He could often be found planting and watering trees, planting his last tree just a week ago. He was always looking toward the future.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Winna Fae; children: Kirsten of Duluth; Eric (Lee Barnes) of Evansville, IN; Knute of Duluth; Beret (Jim) Sandness of Export, PA; Ingrid (Chris Larsen) of Duluth; Elsa (Jeff) Keeler of Shoreview, MN; Franz (Lisa) of Plymouth, MN; 19 grandchildren: Kyle, Lindsay, and Kaci Nisswandt; David (Michaela), Kristin, Jonathan, and Katie Sandness; Kai, Siri, and Brita Larsen; Erik, Maria, Daniel, and Karl Keeler; Lars, Sten, Greta, Eva, and Rayna Nisswandt.
He is also survived by his sisters Eleanor (Lennart) Pearson and Sylvia Nieland, sister-in-law Lottie Nisswandt of St Paul, MN, brother-in-law Kay Ingebrigtsen, sister-in-law Christine Ingebrigtsen of Minneapolis, MN and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by sisters Margaret and Alice; brother Carl.
The family would like to thank the staff of Essentia - St Mary's Medical Center Duluth and the CCU for their compassionate care.
Memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, Essentia Health - St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation or the donors choice.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 PM Friday June 7, 2013 in First Lutheran Church, 1100 E. Superior Street, Duluth and will continue on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 10:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Funeral Service in the Church.
Interment will be in Park Hill Cemetery.
Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555.