TORRINGTON – Funeral services for Galen Wayne Alexander, 84, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2034 at Sonrise Church with Pastor Brett Mullock officiating.
Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery.
Galen died March 16, 2024 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Memorials may be given to either Gracie’s Promise or the Waggin’ Tails Animal Shelter.
Visitation will be Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the funeral home and the casket will be open prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are by the Colyer Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to www.colyerfuneralhome.com.
Galen was born on January 12, 1940 in a snowstorm on a farm south of Jackson, Minnesota. The doctor followed the snowplow to the farm, but Galen was already crying, so the doctor followed the snowplow back to town.
He joined Lloyd and Alice Alexander and sister Beverly in the family home. The family spent many years traveling the country in their truck house, following the harvester, spending time in Colorado and Wyoming.
At the age of fourteen, in Torrington, he was recognized as an entrepreneur with his own lawn business. He and his dog Thunder could be seen mowing lawns by flashlight to get the job done.
After returning to Minnesota, he left high school for a year to take care of the family because his father had suffered a heart attack. He returned to school a year later and graduated in Minnesota. Soon after graduating high school, he joined the Navy serving until his father’s health required him to return home. At this time, he reconnected with his high school sweetheart Frances and they were married. Frances had a son Chris whom Galen adopted. Eight years later Frances passed away leaving Galen and Chris. Galen had been a police officer and eventually assistant chief of police. He then went to work at central service, which was the Mobil gas station and Dodge dealership.
He was then recruited by Farm Bureau Insurance. He acquired his insurance licenses and thus began his career of selling insurance. In the next few years, he became a “Slum Lord” land lord of a number or rentals.
In August of 1974, Galen married Janice Michael who had a son Michael Henry and a daughter Melody Kay. They later divorced. He retired at the age of fifty-eight and spent many years riding his motorcycles. Highlights being riding in all 48 continental states and traveling through Europe on motorcycles with his son. He has 700,000 documented miles by Harley Davidson.
Galen was active at the senior center and the current president of the advisory council. This is where he met Mara Bechtold who became his best friend and traveling companion for the remainder of his life.
Galen was preceded in death by his father Lloyd, mother Alice and wife Frances. He is survived by his son Chris (Belinda), his former wife Janice, step-son Michael, step-daughter Melody, his sister Beverly (Andy) Andrews, best friend Mara Bechtold, seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. We cannot forget he is survived by Lizzy, his 18-year-old cat, who acts like a kitty.
