Allan Avelsgard

Allan Lee Avelsgard was born on August 10, 1949, to David and Adeline (Kasper) Avelsgard in Lemmon, South Dakota. He grew up around the Sebeka/Nimrod area on a dairy farm and riding stable. Allan enjoyed riding horses with his family. Allan attended Country School during his first-grade year and part of second-grade year, then attended Sebeka School. He graduated with the class of 1968 before attending college to receive his degree in psychology and coaching.

After graduating high school, Allan enlisted in the Air Force on July 12th, 1968. Upon completing Basic Training, and subsequent training, he was sent to Vietnam for a period of 11 months and 24 days. Upon his return, he was stationed at the Wadena Air Base, and later in Duluth where he finished his service with the 4787 ABGP (ADC). Allan left the Air Force having served for 4 years, receiving an Honorable Discharge. Among his awards and decorations are the NDSM, VSM, RVCM, SAEMR, AFGCM, AFCM, and the Purple Heart.

Allan was a basketball coach for most of his life, earning him the nickname “Coach Al”. He coached at the college level at Hibbing Community College and Itasca Community College, where he brought the first African-American team, impacting many players lives by giving them many opportunities. He won two national championships during his time there. He later trained the USA Olympic basketball team. He also coached the National team in Barcelona, winning a championship ring in 1992. Also in 1992, he was an assistant coach for the Northland Men’s Basketball team, where they won the MCCC State Championship. They were inducted into the Northland College Hall of Fame in 2013. 

After coaching at the college level, Allan coached professional basketball in Australia. Allan was also a scout for the NBA scouting many players from all across the country. He later coached the girls’ basketball team in Menahga, Minnesota, winning Coach of the Year awards, and leading them to the most wins in school history up to that point. Allan ended his career as a scout and agent for the MLB.

Allan married Mary Rowe; they were blessed with Christina Elizabeth Avelsgard and Kristie Lee Avelsgard. He was later married to Debbie Monroe; they were blessed with Michelle Kay Avelsgard. On October 25, 2002, Allan married the love of his life, Yosenny (Jossie) Rafaela Vasquez in Las Vegas, Nevada. Their union was blessed with their son, David Allan Avelsgard, and Carlos Castro was Allan’s bonus son. The pair made their home with their children in Nimrod and Sebeka, Minnesota. Allan and Jossie had a herd of beef cows when they lived in the Nimrod area. Allan and his family were into basketball, baseball, and football, which meant there were many games for him to watch and support when his children were involved in sports. In his free time, Allan enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, cooking, country/western music, and playing card games, particularly Pinochle. 

Allan passed away peacefully at Waterview Woods Care Center in Eveleth, Minnesota on November 6, 2024 at the age of 75. 

Allan is preceded in death by his father, David Avelsgard; stepfather, Marvin Griffith; daughter, Christina Avelsgard; and his grandparents.

Allan is survived by his wife, Jossie Avelsgard; daughters Kristie (Robert) Stephenson of Helena, Montana and Michelle (Quinn) Fischer of Canal Winchester, Ohio; sons David (Ava) Avelsgard of Fargo, North Dakota and Carlos (Dinah) Castro of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Mother Adeline (Avelsgard) Griffith of Wadena, Minnesota; brother Ray (Cheryl) Avelsgard of Nimrod, Minnesota; sister Mary Kay (Mike) Owen of Nimrod, Minnesota; step brothers Alex (Sue) Griffith of Staples, Minnesota and Allen Griffith; step sister Augie (Todd) Kresge of Florida; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends who will miss Allan dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 16, at 11 A.M. at Living Hope Family Church in Sebeka, Minnesota with a visitation before at 10 A.M. Visitation will be held on Friday November 15, from 4-7 P.M. at Karvonen Funeral Home Wadena. Burial will be held on Monday, November 18 at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.

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