Alvina Marie Welgraven

Alvina Marie Welgraven, age 85, of Balaton, Minnesota, formerly of Ruthton and Tyler was born on September 28, 1938 to August W. and Emma A. (Wussow) Winsel in Pipestone, Minnesota. When she was five years old, she moved with her parents to a farm near Holland, Minnesota where she was raised. After attending country schools, she attended high school in Pipestone, graduating in 1956 as valedictorian of her class. During high school Alvina became employed at Hyde Oil Company, a job she continued until 1966. On April 16, 1958, she was united in marriage to Bert Welgraven at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland, Minnesota. Following their marriage, they lived in Pipestone until 1968 when they moved to a farm in Aetna Township near Ruthton, Minnesota. While living there, Alvina helped with the dairy operation on the farm and raised their children. In 1996, Bert and Alvina moved to Tyler, Minnesota.

Alvina was baptized on October 9, 1938 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone and was confirmed on March 29, 1953 at St. James Lutheran Church in Holland. After moving to Tyler she became a member of First English Lutheran Church. For many years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Ladies WELCA group, the morning Bible study circle group, and the "Do Day" quilting for missions group. From 1978 to 1987 she served as president of the Holland branch of Aid Association for Lutherans. In 2000 she began serving as an election judge in Tyler, a position she held until 2020. She was a member of the Cross Country Club and a volunteer for the Tyler Nursing Home/Hospice, and helped at The Rock youth center's annual rummage sale. She enjoyed cooking, baking, reading, doing crossword puzzles, writing letters by hand, doing embroidery sewing, and sewing quilt tops for missions. Before her mom lost her vision and passed away, they were a duo playing Scrabble. She especially loved spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite saying was, "My 3 F's keep me going-my Family, my Faith, my Friends."

Alvina died Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the Good Samaritan Society in Pipestone, Minnesota.

Alvina is lovingly remembered by her three children, Bruce (Christina) Welgraven of West Fargo, North Dakota, Barbara (Sam) Omelenik of Madison, Alabama, and Keith (Jeanna) Welgraven of Ruthton, Minnesota; grandchildren Blaine (Kaylee) Welgraven, Alexander (Julie) Welgraven, Shane Omelenik, Kristyn Marie (Victor) Mirleanu, and Katelyn Welgraven; great-grandsons, Caeden Welgraven, James Welgraven, and Cosmin Mirleanu; great-granddaughters, Aeva Fe' Welgraven, Aela Welgraven, Emma Lynn Welgraven; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 56 years, Bert, in 2014; by her parents; her sister Kathryn Winsel, and by a grandson, Jonathan Welgraven.

Blessed be her memory.

Memorials can be directed to The First English Lutheran Church Quilting Group and the Rock Christian Youth Center of Tyler, Minnesota.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home.