Alan White

Monday, June 8, 2015 5:18 pm

Alan White, 57, of Decorah, died Friday, June 5, 2015, at his home north of Decorah. Services were at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Kurt M. Bockoven officiating. Accompanist was Kathryn Thompson. Soloist was Cindy Schissel (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”). Hymns were “How Great Thou Art,” “On Eagle’s Wings” and “Beautiful Savior.” Burial was at Big Canoe Cemetery. Casket bearers were Jim Bappe, Dick Wise, Troy Ramstad, Troy Hovden, Larry Sweeney and Marty Samuelson. Interment was at Big Canoe Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Alan “Al” Earl White was born Aug. 9, 1957, the son of Marshal and Beverly (Wilt) White in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1975. After high school he worked for the Benton County road crew. Al also started raising, training and selling coonhounds as a young man. Alan married Debra Wenner April 7, 1978, at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton. After he and Deb were married, Al farmed with his father-in-law outside of Vinton. In 1983, Al and Deb moved to Decorah. Al took a job delivering trailers all over the country for Featherlite. He also started Nighthawk Kennel and White’s Custom Trophies. Together they raised four children: Brooke, J.D., Stacy and Drew. They enjoyed traveling together and watching their kids’ sporting events. He also loved spending time with his grandson, Cabe.  Al was a true outdoorsman, as he loved to hunt, fish and look for mushrooms. He was a big Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved baseball. Al’s true passion was raising his Black and Tan Coonhounds, saying that his dogs are a big part of his legacy. He is known all over the world for producing first-class hunting dogs.   

Alan’s survivors include his four children: Brooke White, La Crescent, Minn.; J. D. (Leslie) White, Decorah; Stacy (Reid) Williams, Decorah; Drew White (fiancée Jackie Peterson), Madison, Wis.; one grandchild, Cabe White; parents, Marshal and Beverly White, Shellsburg; three sisters: Laurie (John) Mayhew, Vinton; Lynda Ollinger, Cedar Rapids; and Janine (Gale) Rowden, Shellsburg; mother-in-law, Loretta Wenner, Vinton; sister-in-law, Melissa (Mike) Davis, Vinton; brother-in-law, Scott (Diana) Wenner, Williamsburg; special friend, LaShelle Evans, Decorah. Al also is survived by many nieces and nephews, along with a host of close friends who were always there for support. 

Alan was preceded in death by his wife Deb, on July 4, 2008; father-in-law, Dean Wenner, and his brother-in-law, Mark Ollinger.