Albert “Al” Ascherl, 91, of Clarinda, Iowa, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Homestead Assisted Living, Shenandoah, Iowa.
Albert Ascherl, Jr., was born on November 22, 1933, in Jacksonville, FL, to Albert Ascherl, Sr. and Athalinda Yates Ascherl. His family lived in Winston-Salem, NC, when he was a young boy. Later in his childhood they moved to Penney Farms, FL, to be near his grandparents.
Albert loved to tell stories of his childhood and school years. He had a goat named Billy, that pulled him and his sister in a cart, a pony named Shep, and a dog named Trixie. Al continued his love for animals when he moved to Iowa. He and Margaret had several cats and a cherished dog, Bungee.
Albert went to Military School in his elementary years. He started public school in the 8th grade. He went to high school at Kettlinas High School in St. Augustine, FL, and graduated from there in 1952. He participated in football, basketball, and baseball while in High School.
After graduation, he went into the Marine Corps. He was just 17, so his mom had to sign papers to allow him to join. He was stationed in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. He was a very proud veteran and always supported various military causes throughout his life.
In July of 1955, he came back to the States. He then went to work at Lockheed Martin in CA in August of 1955. His employment with them led him to many places around CA, the US, and several foreign countries. He worked on the Ageena, which was the first satellite that was launched. He worked in England on launching spy satellites. He worked a lot in Washington, DC, and said, "You'd be surprised at what's all around there." He worked on the Hughes Glomar Explorer from 1972-1974. During this time, the mission he was on was to work to raise a sunken Russian Submarine containing nuclear warheads. Al had many work stories, many of where he worked. None of these stories had a great amount of detail because most of his work with Lockheed was classified as "top secret." If ever anyone would ask him a specific question about his work, he'd say, "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to shoot you," followed by a chuckle. He retired from Lockheed in 1996.
He was sent to work on a program for Shell Oil in Louisiana. That is when he met and later married Margaret, his "doll" and the love of his life. They were married on May 27, 1978. They lived in CA for 17 years before retiring and spending the last 30 years in Clarinda. They enjoyed many trips together. Many of those trips included Al's lifelong friend, Dan Paulsen, and his wife Judy.
Al and Margaret retired to Clarinda, IA, where they bought an acreage. Al enjoyed working in his shop and taking care of the yard. He worked for a couple of seasons mowing for the city park. He worked with Don Turner, helping him to survey land. He was a guy who always liked to stay busy.
He and Margaret lived on the acreage until his health declined from Parkinson's. They then moved to Eiler Place Senior Living in Clarinda. In April of 2025, he moved to the memory care unit at Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care in Shenandoah, IA.
Al was an active member of First Christian Church in Clarinda, where his job was to count the number attending each Sunday! He was also a member of the American Legion.
Preceding Albert in death were his parents, his in-laws, Henry and Bernice Simpson, and his step-daughter-in-law, Elena Williams; his brother-in-laws, Roger Bretzius and Henry Simpson; Sister-in-laws preceding him in death were Elsie Roper and Joann Simpson.
Left to cherish the memories of a life well-lived are his wife of 47 years, Margaret; his daughter Debra Anderson (Bill Bowman); his son Alan Ascherl (Rebecca), step-daughters Cindy Williams and Terri Picou; step-son Alan Williams, grandchildren Aarica Burkholder (Jeff), Aleigh Ascherl, Austin Ascherl (Denise), Step grandchildren Bethany Williams, Maria Bryant, Leah Espenan, Slava Williams, and Austin Williams; several step great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Ann Bretzius, nieces Linda Gutzman, Kim Cogan, nephew, Kyle Bretzius; and sister-in-law Sherry Hernandez.
We will miss Al terribly, and in his honor we ask that you intentionally be kind, encourage someone, tidy up, and above all, honor a veteran.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Nodaway Valley Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Mike Harvey officiating. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. to 11: 00 a.m. Saturday, June 28,2025 at Nodaway Valley Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa prior to the service. Memorials may be directed to Clarinda Foundation Veterans Fund. Arrangements were entrusted to the Nodaway Valley Funeral Home of Clarinda.
