Funeral Service for Alvina J. Lee, 97 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Friday, August 29, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD, with the Rev William Schruba officiating. Organist will be Estelle Pearson and soloist will be Del Williams. Pallbearers will be Grandsons Brad Sanders, Mike Lee, Steve VanHeel, Mark Lee, Brandon Lee, and nephew Clayton Seal. Honorary Pallbearers will be Carol Currence, Jan Baruth, Staff and Residence of the Tekakwitha Living Center. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. Visitation will be held at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD on Thursday, August 28, 2014 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with family present from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. There will be visitation on Friday, one hour prior to the Funeral Service at the Church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.
Alvina Jeanette Peterson was born on June 17, 1917 to Joseph and Anna (Dahl) Peterson; the oldest of eleven children, and raised on the family farm. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended grade school at Enterprise Township School. Alvina was united in marriage to her neighbor, Melvin Lee on October 31, 1937, by Rev Falkanger at Stavanger Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD. To this union five children were born. Alvina tirelessly worked raising her children and provided for them on her own. She worked at Landsberger Creamery, the King Coin Laundromat, State of South Dakota as a home health aide, also providing care in her home for seniors, including her father until his death at age 96. She was entrusted to care for innumerable individuals and gave of herself openly and authentically to provide for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Alvina's door was always open, day or night; she graciously welcomed the many guest with kindness and hospitality, offering hot coffee, sandwiches or fresh baked treats. She was well known for helping others and, without bias, providing clothing, household goods, transportation and money to those in need. She was kind, caring, compassionate and loving. Alvina's love also extended to her animals, which at times included a menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, fish and a ferret. She enjoyed feeding the animal's home cooked people food and would bring a treat home for them when she went out. Her reputation of an animal lover brought many animals into her home for care while their owners were out of town; animals were often given to her because she would give better care and love than the owners. Any stray animal in the yard was always fed and cared for. The animals, no matter what kind they were, felt her love and kindness, never fighting, they all got along….never a bad word or deed to any of them; this being a practice at her house, animals or humans. She enjoyed good conversation, western movies, the Young and the Restless, The Days of Our Lives soap operas, going out to eat, chocolate malts, rolls from the bakery, and spending time with family and friends. She especially loved children and cherished their visits during the summer and on breaks from school. Alvina was a life time member of Grace Lutheran Church. She put others needs before her own; a happy, caring, generous woman who found strength in her faith. She will be dearly missed. Alvina passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, August 24, 2014 at the Tekakwitha Living Center, Sisseton, SD.
Alvina is survived by her children, Joe and wife, Paula Lee of Wahpeton, ND, Gary and wife, Mary Lee of Milbank, SD, and Judy and husband, Robert VanHeel Avon, MN; one sister, Minerva (Herb) Pahl of Minneapolis, MN; three brothers, Gordon (Shirley) Peterson, Sherman (Marcia) Peterson, and Allen (Carol) Peterson, all of Sisseton, SD; sister-in-law Ardes Bybee of Watertown, SD twelve grandchildren; twenty eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; special friend, Jan Baruth of Huron, SD; special caregiver niece, Carol Currence.
Alvina was preceded in death by her parents; daughters Infant Baby Girl Lee, Marilyn Sanders and son-in-law Robert (Bob) Sanders; one brother, Phil Peterson; two infant sisters Ruby and Shirley; and three sisters, Mervis Schroeder, Ruby Peterson, and Joyce Seal Smith.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Carol Currence for her many years of loving care to Alvina, Prairies Lakes Hospice, and the Staff of Tekakwitha Living Center.