Albert Friel was named after the then famous Prince. (Queen Victoria's handsome husband Albert had remained popular even though he left the queen widowed 40 years prior to Albert Friel's birth.)

Albert (the name meaning bright and noble) was known as 'Punk' when a child, because he was born yellow/punk colored and jaundiced. Later, he was nicknamed 'Doug' because he was like the famed, silent-film star Douglas Fairbanks, known for 'action' roles. Perhaps a better nickname would have been 'SPunk' since he liked being comical, and was an avid western horseback/stunt rider, much like his gr-Uncle 'Buck' and gr-grandpa Miller, the first elected Sheriff of Dodge County, Mo.(Dodge was later absorbed by Putnam County).

The youngest of Jack and Marie Ranes's 11 children, Albert had lots of 'teachers', although he didn't complete formal school. With American growth and technologies barreling down like a fast train into the new century, it was the perfect time in history for Albert/Doug to be born, to become the self-taught man that he was. His father was a RR-tie builder, 'Teamster', and coal miner. His many older siblings were engaged in various fields so Albert had lots of career coaches and choices. The world was his oyster, and he became a skilled laborer for many building trades, as well he learned to fix almost any machine. When the building industry slowed during the depression, he worked as a Coal Miner and in the 1940's he worked for the WPA as a Landscaper. In time, he settled into the high-demand Iron/Steel work needed for constructing large buildings.

He had ice blue eyes/brown hair and loved to sing the folksy ditties of his time. He registered for the WW1 draft at age 19 and married Lucille Fuger at age 20. Sadly, she died a year later from TB, which was a prevalent disease at that time. In 1923, he married Emma Cowles and together they had 5 children, one dying in infancy. He was a member of the local Union/Mason organizations when living in Centerville, Iowa and a member of Iron Workers Union #10 when living in K.C. during the 1950's, later relocating to southern Fla. for the big 'building boom'. At times, his son worked on job sites with him in Fla. and they were alike known for the 'great heights' of buildings they helped to build. There, in sunny south Florida, he retired, enjoying his many grandchildren, cooking, candy making, growing citrus and avocado trees. He was acclaimed for his work in the small landscape business he owned during his retirement, and he gratefully received salvation through faith in Christ Jesus during his final years.

He lived 88 years, 3 months, 7 days and entered into rest on July 8th in Jupiter, Fla. Burial was on July 13th in West Palm Beach, Fla. Services were conducted by Rev. Ken Butdorf from Word of Life Christian Center. Albert's grandsons carried him to his grave.

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(The following is from The Centerville Iowegian)

Earl Grenko received word of the death of his uncle, Albert "Punk" Ranes, who had lived with his children in West Palm Beach, Fla. for many years. The Ranes family are well known in this community. Their eldest daughter, Sally, is the wife of R.G. Middleton, and Dona is Mrs. Otto Woolsey, also two other children, Bonnie [Dean] Stickler and Loran [Retta} Ranes. Albert has one sister, Mrs. Clyde (Nettie Ranes) McGee as well as several nieces and nephews residing in this area. One niece, Ann Grenko Kitchen of Minneapolis attended the funeral. His wife, Emma Cowles Ranes had preceded him in death several years ago.