Alvin LeRoy Biesen

BIESEN, Alvin LeRoy (Age 98) – Passed away peacefully from pneumonia on Thursday, April 14, 2016 in Spokane, Washington. He was born on March 4, 1918 to Helen Louisa Brickner and John Nicholas Biesen in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He married Genevieve A. Teff (died in 2002) on January 7, 1938 in La Crosse. Their children are Don of Spokane, Carl (Jeanie) of San Jose, CA, Roger (Sharon) of Spokane, Joyce (died in 2004), Eunice (Terry) of Nine Mile Falls and Chris (Carla) of Spokane Valley. He has 12 grandchildren and 9 ½ great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 16 step great grandchildren. Alvin was a world-renowned gunsmith who started building custom guns in the 1940’s. He was synonymous with the late Outdoor Life writer, Jack O’Conner, who wrote multiple articles about Al (as did other outdoor sport and firearms writers/enthusiasts). He spent many years teaching his son Roger the art of gun building and was able to work side-by-side with him and his granddaughter, Paula in the gun shop. He was an original member of the Big Game Council and long time associate of the National Rifle Association. Al hunted many states and countries with family and friends (once to the Yukon with his four sons and multiple times with his wife to Africa). Besides hunting, he loved bowling with his son Roger for the Moose Lodge while Genevieve watched. He and Gene were long time fans of the Spokane Indians with season seats. The family would like to acknowledge the special care Alvin received at North Central Care and Rehabilitation, following his years of home care by his son, Don, and his granddaughter, Paula, (and family) while fighting dementia and alzheimer’s disease. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 21st from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, April 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 4305 N. DIVISION, SPOKANE, WA. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1503 W. Dean Ave., Spokane. A reception will follow at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt St., Spokane. Interment will be on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of one’s choice.