Charles Alan Katz was born July 13, 1941 to Paul and Lillian Katz in Beadle County, South Dakota. Alan attended school at Valley school #2 and Whittier school before coming to Huron public school.

In 1957 Alan married Shirley Janssen in Rock Rapids, Iowa but they lived in Huron, South Dakota where they remained their entire lives. Alan started out working for a taxi service, did light mechanic work and put up ice for Armour's, he also did some hunting and trapping to help pay bills before starting his career with Burnison's Plumbing and Heating at the age of 16 where he stayed for 27 years becoming a master plumber, a journeyman sheet metal man and a backhoe operator then in 1984 Alan decided to switch jobs and began working for the City of Huron Waste Water Treatment Plant as head of maintenance and a class 2 certified waste water treatment operator for 22 years until retirement.

Alan loved to go hunting, fishing and camping with his family and friends every chance he got. He also loved to work in his personal workshop at the house where he would make some fabulous things such as a row boat coffee table. Alan was very handy at fixing things and a good mentor to his kids and others who worked with him. He also had a love for building and driving his own race cars.

Alan is survived by his wife; Shirley, 3 sons; Tim (Rita) Katz of Woonsocket, Wade (Renea) Katz of Huron, Jay (Chris) Katz of Huron and 1 daughter; Tammy Katz-Wahlert of Mitchell, 2 brothers; Gene (Bonnie) Katz of Huron, Bob (Christine) Katz of Colorado Springs, Co., 1 sister; Phyllis Buck, TX , many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents; Paul and Lillian Katz, 1 brother; Don Katz, 4 sisters; Verla Teply, Fran Wulf, Delores Stoppelmoor and Baby Nancy and grand-daughter; Stephanie Beigh, Alan's in laws .