Alfred "Al" Jaeger passed away on January 12 at the age of 99. He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis in 2021, after 70 years of marriage.

Al was born on July 18, 1926 to Gustav and Eleanora Jaeger in a farm house near Underhill, Wisconsin with no running water or electricity. He was a gifted athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball and boxing, and was named "Athlete of the Year" in his senior year at Casco High School.

Just months after graduating from high school in 1944, Al and his older brother, Leroy, enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served as a Corporal in the 5th Army, 345th Engineering Brigade, landing in Anzio, Italy. His unit was responsible for building bridges to advance U.S. troops, and he later worked in a camp housing German prisoners prior to the end of the war. He and his brother safely returned home in 1946. Serving during World War II was the most patriotic act he could do for his country and it was something he was always proud of.

Always interested in aviation, Al studied electronics in Kansas City and later graduated from aeronautics school in Chicago. In 1948, he was hired as an agent for Wisconsin Central Airlines in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he met and married Phyllis in 1950. He went on to earn his pilot's license, flying small corporate aircraft across the Midwest for Basler Aviation. He later oversaw station operations for North Central Airlines before relocating to Burnsville, Minnesota in 1966. It was a significant transition for him and his family, but they quickly developed a close network of lifelong friends. For 33 years, Al worked for North Central Airlines in the Twin Cities, and retired as the Western Regional Manager for what had become Republic Airlines. Never one to sit idle, he began a post-retirement career as a sales consultant for the Stinar Aircraft Equipment Company.

Al was a devoted husband and loving father who cherished his family. He was guided by his faith, and a member of the Prince of Peace congregation for six decades. Al was active in his community as a youth baseball coach and was an early leader of the Burnsville Athletic Club. He could always be found in the stands cheering on his children during their football, baseball and hockey games. Despite his family's move across the border, Al remained a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan, dating back to their days playing at old City Stadium.

Al's career in aviation allowed him and Phyllis to travel the world—from Japan to Scotland, Hawaii to New York, and many destinations in between—alongside their family and friends, enjoying new adventures and experiencing the wonders of other cultures. For 30 years, Al and his family enjoyed their summers on Big Pine Lake, with weekends filled with cocktail cruises, bonfires and endless laughter. He also enjoyed golfing, deer hunting and "putzing" around his basement workshop, garage and boathouse.

Al is preceded in death by his brothers Leroy and Winton. He is survived by his brother Arlan (Cathy), sister-in-law Mary and his children, Paul (Jean), Mark (Mary), John (Maggie) and his loving daughter Jeanne. He was a proud grandfather of nine grandchildren—Greta, Peter, Emma, Carl, Jack, Molly, Sam, Henry, and Abbey—and twelve great-grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed for all he has taught those around him and for all the love he has given to his family. Now you can finally be reunited with Mom. May God bless your soul for having lived a long and prosperous life.

His family would like to thank the staff of Boden Senior Living and Lifespark Hospice for the loving care they provided their Dad. A celebration of his life will be held at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Burnsville on Monday, January 26, 2026 at 11:00 am, with visitation one hour prior.  A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery where he can lie in rest, watching airplanes come and go day and night alongside the love of his life. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (popmn.org) or 360 Communities (360communities.org)