Grainnet

Alfred "Al" Vigen, Partner in Vigen Construction Inc., Dies at 61

Alfred "Al" Vigen, partner in Vigen Construction Inc., East Grand Forks, MN, died April 20 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND, after a very brief battle with cancer. He was 61.

Vigen Construction Inc. is a leading building contractor serving the grain industry and is especially well known for its slipform concrete projects. While the company takes on grain industry projects nationwide, it is particularly strong in the northern plains region.

Al Vigen was employed by the family business since 1975 and eventually became a partner with his father, Hover, and brothers.

A native of the Grand Forks area, Al Vigen was born Dec. 16, 1946, the sone of Hover and Regina (LaMoine) Vigen.

He grew up in East Grand Forks and was a 1964 graduate of Sacred Heart High School.

After high school, he attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, and graduated in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering.

Following graduation, he worked for Mare Island Naval Shipyard as a nuclear engineer, specializing in nuclear submarines until April 1974.

During his time there, he received the honor of being awarded a GS 14 rating at the age of 27, the highest reward ever given to a civilian at that age.

In 1968, Al Vigen married his high school sweetheart, Candy Johnson, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in East Grand Forks.

They recently were planning their 40th wedding anniversary.

Al Vigen is survived by his wife, Candy, Grand Forks; sons Erik Vigen, Grand Forks, and Cory (Andrea) Vigen, Grand Forks; daughter Beth Ann (David) Nord, Grand Forks; brother Jim (Barbara) Vigen, East Grand Forks; sister Margaret Walden, East Grand Forks; and three grandchildren, Jonathan and Jessica Vigen and Landon Nord.

He also is survived by his business partner and nephew Jeff (Kim) Vigen, Grand Forks.

He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Al Vigen was preceded in death by his parents Hover and Regina Vigen; brothers John Vigen and Howard Vigen; sisters Mary Ann Coons and Ruth Walden; and nephew Michael Vigen.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at Norman Funeral Home on South Washington Street in Grand Forks, with a 7 p.m. vigil service in Holy Family Catholic Church.

Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral service in the church on Friday, April 25.

Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Grand Forks.

The family requests that memorials be given either to Holy Family Catholic Church, 1018 18th Ave. S., Grand Forks, ND 58201, or to Altru Cancer Center, 960 S. Columbia Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201.