In Memory of Albert “Al” Bunce

Albert (Al) Elmer Bunce of Cambridge and formally of Deer River, MN, died peacefully on October 31, 2026, at his home in GracePointe Crossing. He was proudly 93 years old. We invite everyone, family, friends, GracePointe staff, to a Celebration of Life on Monday, November 16th from 1pm-4pm in the club lounge at GracePointe Crossing, 1545 Riverhills Pkwy NW, Cambridge MN, 55008. We hope many can come to celebrate the life of Al and remember his positive impact on our lives. Al will be buried in a private service at the Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Deer River VFW Post 2720. Mailing address: Deer River Veterans Club, 12 1st St. NE, Deer River MN 56636.

Al was born on September 25, 1933, in a place referred to as “Starvation Hill” near Calumet, MN, to Leon and Pearl Bunce. He was the youngest of 6, which included brothers Lloyd, Melvin, Howard, and sisters Florence and Dorothy. The family eventually moved to Marble, MN. Al enlisted in the US Air Force where he was stationed in Korea during the war with the 326th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, the “Fighting Tigers,” serving from 1952-1960. On June 16, 1956, he married MaryLou Box, the love of his life. They were happily and lovingly married for 64 years until the death of MaryLou in 2021. To his last days, his favorite memory was his wedding day—“I was the first one there at the church, I didn’t want to be late!”

Al graduated from air craft mechanics school and began a successful 34 year career at the Minneapolis Airport as a skilled landing gear mechanic, beginning with North Central Airlines and ending with his retirement in 1994 from Northwest Airlines. He was proud of the fact that he was retired for as many years as he worked. Richfield is where Al and MaryLou lived, made great friends, and raised their 3 children, Patty, Tom, Pam, and his niece Barb. These 3 children eventually married and added the great joy of grandchildren to their lives; Laura, Michael, David, Nicole, Jack, Molly, Samantha, and Sarah. A couple of those grandchildren have added more joy with great-grandchildren; Marshon Jr, Marlo, and Teddy.

After Al retired they moved to Deer River where they lived on Moose Lake and Al spent many happy hours fishing for walleye (in his secret spot), taking evening pontoon rides, tending a large garden, and making the best buttermilk pancakes, which you could only eat after he flipped them in the air for you to catch on your plate. Al and MaryLou also started going to Yuma AZ to escape the winters, a tradition that lasted 22 years. Great friends, great fun, and great memories were made there, plus it was there they discovered a love for working with stained glass. Over the years they made many beautiful art pieces which they gifted to family, friends, or donated for fundraising. In 2018, Al moved to GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge with MaryLou. This was the last move and exactly where they needed to be. Al loved to think back with amazement on how everything in his life had always worked out. How each and every move they made became “the best move ever.” That tells you the kind of person Al was; optimistic, kind, gentle, accepting, content, loving, and grateful. “Lord, thank you for this day” was said daily.

Al was preceded in death by his loving wife MaryLou, by his parents, his brothers and sisters, and by many beloved extended family and friends. Al’s smile, his sense of humor, his many stories (including the day he was born), his incredible memory (he never forgot a name), and his kindness will be missed but remembered by many. Those of us who remain, Patty (Keith), Tom (Dee), Pam (Jeff), and Barb (Kevin) along with Al’s grand and great-grandchildren will do our best to keep telling those stories and extending that kindness for generations to come. A special Thank You to everyone who touched Al’s life at GracePointe. You treated him as a friend, with heart and humanity, and he loved you all.