Alan Gene Artner, age 64, of St. Cloud, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly at his home on September 9, 2026.

Alan was born on March 23, 1962, to Gene and Carla (Bohm) Artner. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Butterfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Butterfield-Odin High School in 1980. While attending St. Cloud State University, Alan met the love of his life, Lori Stanton.

Alan and Lori were united in marriage on January 8, 1988 – building a life together with love, friendship, faith, laughter, and an unwavering commitment to one another. Alan’s love for Lori set a high standard for the kind of partnership many people spend a lifetime hoping to find. Their love was the kind described in 1 Corinthians 13. They treated one another with tenderness and respect, stood beside each other through life’s challenges, and celebrated the joys they shared. It grew deeper with time – not because life was always easy, but because they continually chose one another through every season. Their home was a place where love was lived in the everyday moments – in conversations over coffee, around the dinner table, in books read and discussed, in laughter, during playtime with their cat, Ally, and simply in being there for each other. Their marriage was a beautiful example of two people who loved each other faithfully, generously, and completely.

Alan’s professional life spanned 42 years with Cargill, where he worked as a regulatory affairs advisor in the research lab. His career reflected what was true about Alan in every part of his life: he was deeply curious and took great pride in understanding how things worked. Anyone who has enjoyed a McDonald’s breakfast sandwich may have unknowingly benefited from his work helping ensure products were properly labeled and packaged.

His career with Cargill took Alan and Lori to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the late 1990s. While there, they met Christa and welcomed her into their lives, taking her under their wings and offering the steadfast support, encouragement, and love of family. Christa, Kyle, and their three daughters became – and remained – an essential part of Alan’s heart.

Alan was much more than his career or remarkable intellect. He made people feel heard and valued. He listened carefully, spoke gently, and had a special way of making others feel that they mattered. Exceptionally intelligent and endlessly curious, Alan researched everything. If he was going to purchase something, he wanted to know everything about it. If something broke, he researched ways to repair it. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. Alan could deliver a perfectly timed comment with a familiar smirk that often said as much as the words themselves and left everyone around him laughing.

Alan loved gardening and took great pride in becoming a Master Gardener. He planted and harvested an assortment of fruits and vegetables annually. He loved trying new recipes and became an exceptional cook. He loved to read, play guitar, and attend concerts. He was an avid golfer and looked forward to his weekly league play at the course. Alan was a loyal fan of many Minnesota sports teams, with a special devotion to Huskies hockey.

Alan had a heart of gold. He gave his love generously, quietly, and without conditions. He encouraged the people he loved, stood beside them when they needed him, and celebrated them simply because they were part of his life. We remember fondly Alan’s initiative to acquire an online ordination in preparation to jointly officiate his nephew, Isaac and Gabriela’s wedding. He was brilliant without needing to prove it, funny without needing to be the center of attention, and loving in a way that made the people around him better. He was, quite simply, one of a kind.

Alan is survived by his sister, Amy Denn of Minneapolis; niece and goddaughter, Jessica Denn (Abhigyan Datta); nephew, Isaac (Gabriela) Denn-Diaz; honorary daughter, Christa (Kyle) Snyder and their daughters, Kylee, Coralynn, Klara; and his playful cat and purring sidekick, Ally Anna Nala. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lori, and his parents, Gene and Carla. There is comfort in knowing Alan was not alone when he arrived at heaven’s door. We can picture Lori waiting for him, his parents beside her, and perhaps a place already prepared for him in the garden. And knowing Alan, there may have been a few questions about how everything works, followed by a little research, a familiar smirk, and a willingness to figure it all out.

We believe Alan was welcomed with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The world needs more Alans – more people who listen, love without conditions, remain curious, make others laugh, and show up for the people they love. Alan’s absence will be deeply felt by those who were so fortunate to know him. He will be remembered in countless ordinary things: a garden growing, a recipe someone tries because Alan would have liked it, a song, a book, a golf course, a Minnesota sports game, a carefully researched purchase, a problem solved, and every quiet act of kindness that reminds us of the wonderful man he was.

Most of all, Alan will be remembered for how he loved. And he was very, very loved.

A memorial service will be held at Kimball United Methodist Church on September 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Kimball Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.

Obituary, Guestbook, and Service Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com