Obituary of Alvin Berends

Memorial Tribute Alvin August Berends, the son of Jake and Minnie (Boernsen) Berends, was born on the Berends farm in rural May City, IA on September 8, 1922. He grew up on that same farm, and attended Harrison Township School #1. He graduated from Excelsior High School in 1940. On September 4, 1955, Al married Betty Jean Wilson at the Methodist parsonage in Ruthven, IA. To this union, one son Paul Vernon was born. Al and Betty farmed with his parents, living in a mobile home on the home place until 1957 when his parents moved into a home in May City. Al was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church at May City, where he had been an elder, congregational secretary, a counselor for the Walter League, and a member of the Couples’ Club. He was a member of the National Farmers Organization. At one time he had a radio and small appliance repair shop. He enjoyed photography, traveling, fishing and hunting, and model airplanes and ships. Most important to Al was his faith and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Betty; son Paul Vernon and his wife Laurie of Ocheyedan, IA; grandsons Matthew and Nicholas; three nieces: RoJean West, Rhoda Stevenson, and Sandy Sherman; one nephew Larry Dopp; other relatives and friends. In Remembrance of Alvin A. Berends Born ~ September 8, 1922 Died ~ February 23, 2009 Age ~ 86 years 5 months 15 days Funeral Service 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2009 St. John’s Lutheran Church May City, Iowa Clergy ~ Rev. Paul Johnson Organist ~ Luella Heilman Congregational Singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” “Amazing Grace” “I Know My Redeemer Lives” Pallbearers Dan Radunz Richard Rudlaff Kenneth Boernsen Rodney Boernsen Rick Baish Duane Drost Ushers Earl Baish Bob Rusche Don Rasmussen Flower Attendants Evelyn Boernsen Betty Lou Baish Interment Harrison Township Cemetery May City, Iowa