Obituary of Alvina Barbara Elgersma

Alvina Barbara Elgersma was born September 9, 1922, the second child of Pete and Gertrude (Koehn) Kollasch of rural Whittemore, IA. She grew up as a strong farm girl during the Great Depression; learning to cook and tend a garden, as well as helping her family out with farm chores. When she was eleven years old, her Dad suffered a severe hand injury in a corn picker accident, so Alvina could often be found working with him around the farm. She received her education at the Catholic School in Whittemore. As was common during the Depression, Alvina left school in the 10th grade to work as "house help" for another family member. Much of her childhood entertainment came from the fun times spent with all her cousins who lived in the area. When she was 18, Alvina moved with her family to a farm near Ruthven, IA. She soon found employment at Spencer, IA, working at the bakery, and, for several years, at the Sears store in their credit department. While at Sears, Alvina met Clarence Elgersma as he purchased needed parts from Sears for his shop on the farm. Alvina and Clarence were united in marriage on October 20, 1958. The couple made their home on the farm northwest of Hartley, IA for more than 30 years. They were blessed with three children: Tom, Don, and Shirley. As with most Iowa farmwives, Alvina's days were kept busy working in her garden, raising chickens, and helping Clarence where she could. Along with tending to the needs of her growing family, she also managed to find time to take care of the farm books. Leisure time was spent visiting with family, including several trips to Arizona, Pennsylvania and California. Late in the summer, Clarence and Alvina always enjoyed attending the Clay County Fair at Spencer. Alvina was a member of the O'Brien County Farm Bureau Women's Group as well as St. Joseph's Catholic Church Altar Society in Hartley. In 1991, Clarence and Alvina moved into the town of Hartley. While Clarence continued to help on the farm, Alvina enjoyed daily mass, visits from grandchildren, cooking and baking, card parties and exercise class with lady friends. She was also ready anytime for a good game of "500" with her grandkids. In 2005, when Clarence's Alzheimer's disease became progressively worse, he moved to the Hartley Care Center where Alvina visited him every day until his passing on April 24, 2007. Alvina continued to live in their home in Hartley until July of 2014 when her health began to decline. She then made a new home at the Hartley Community Health Center, where she peacefully joined her heavenly family on Monday, March 13, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. She was 94 years, 6 months, and 4 days of age. Alvina was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; a brother and his wife, Bernard and Cecelia Kollasch; a sister and her husband, Mary and Bill Thompson; in-laws, Henrietta and Russel Benz, Ervin and Virginia Elgersma, and E.P. and Nelly Koehnecke. She was also greeted in Heaven by one angel, granddaughter, Emily Schroeder. Left to cherish her memory are her family; a son and his family: Tom and Margaret Elgersma of Sanborn, IA, Meredith and her fiancé, Travis Nelson of Whittemore, IA, a son and his family: Don and Helen Elgersma, Emily, and Dan all of Sanborn, IA, a daughter and her family: Shirley and Tony Schroeder, Andy, Jacque and Keira Schroeder, Ryan, Kayla and Kaiden Schroeder, Scott and Nick all of LeMars, IA. Alvina is also remembered by her siblings: Sr. Mary Pierre Kollasch of Dubuque, IA, and Art and Lou Kollasch of Auburndale, FL. She was blessed with 31 nieces and nephews, many cousins, family members and friends whom she cherished. Celebration of Life Alvina B. Elgersma Born ~ September 9, 1922 Died ~ March 13, 2017 Age ~ 94 years 6 months 4 days FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, March 17, 2017 ~ 10:30 a.m. St. Joseph's Catholic Church Hartley, Iowa Clergy ~ Fr. Tim Hogan Organist ~ Donna McCarty Cantor ~ Nancy Williams Songs of Praise Processional ~ "Be Not Afraid" #430 "I Am The Bread Of Life" #364 "Amazing Grace" #431 Recessional ~ "On Eagle's Wings" #435 Pallbearers Andy Schroeder Ryan Schroeder Scott Schroeder Nick Schroeder Dan Elgersma Emily Elgersma Meredith Elgersma Ushers Ray Ahlers ~ Mike Ahlers Interment Pleasant View Cemetery Hartley, Iowa