Roslyn: Alvin Axness, 95, of Roslyn died Thursday, June 13, 2013, at Strand-Kjorsvig Home in Roslyn.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 20, 2013, at Christ The King Catholic Church in Webster.
Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Eden, with military graveside rites conducted by the Rudolph-Baukol American Legion Post No. 253.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Christ The King Catholic Church, with a wake service at 7 at the church. Visitation will resume again one hour prior to the services at the church.
Alvin Axness was born May 29, 1918, to Ole and Thea (Sandvold) Axness at the family homestead in Independence Township, Pierpont. He was the youngest of six children.
Alvin was baptized and confirmed at Skudesnes Church. He attended country school at Independence District 205 through the eighth grade. Alvin's mother died when he was a young boy. He grew up on the family homestead with his father and siblings. He experienced firsthand the hardship of the Dirty Thirties and had many stories to tell about it. As he grew up, he worked for many farmers in the area. One of his favorites to work for was Eston Bolland. All fieldwork was done with teams of horses, and he became quite the horseman. He had a great love for horses all of his life. He was proud to tell you that he could cross country ski to Langford in 30 minutes and it takes just about that long to drive there today.
On Feb. 28, 1942, Alvin entered into active duty in the military branch of the Army Air Force. He was stationed at the Aleutian Islands for 28 months during World War ll. While there he received the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Star is given for an act of bravery during wartime. While stationed at Walla Walla, Wash., he married his fiancee, Regina Deutsch, on May 29, 1945. He was honorably discharged on Oct. 24, 1945. When home on furlough in 1944, Alvin bought the family homestead from his Dad. After his discharge from the Army, they returned to Independence Township to farm. They farmed the land that he bought and rented the Hedman farm where they lived. They later purchased and moved to the Monson farm. He and Regina had five children. Alvin served on school and township boards. On May 26, 1977, Regina passed away.
He married Eveline Kohlhoff on June 9, 1978. They moved to her farm near Waubay and continued farming until 1998, when they moved to Waubay. Alvin loved farming and it was his life's enjoyment. He had a deep passion for animals and growing his crops. He told stories about the days when he was threshing and enjoyed attending threshing shows. He also enjoyed dancing, rodeos, watching westerns and his John Deere tractors, especially his "B," and we can't forget his snuff and a cup of coffee with something sweet to eat. A good time for Alvin was visiting with his family and friends.
Alvin and Eveline entered the Strand-Kjorsvig Living Center in Roslyn on June 23, 2012. Eveline died on July 4, 2012. He continued to live there until his death on June 13, 2013. He was 95 years and 15 days old.
He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Waubay and Rudolph-Baukol American Legion Post No. 253.
Alvin is survived by four children: Imogene (Richard) Helgeson, Roslyn, Larry (Cindi) Axness, Pierpont, Duane (Luan) Axness, Brookings, and Marcie (Gene) Beisch, Webster; 14 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren; four stepchildren: Darlene (Charles) Cleal, Ainsworth, Neb., Roberta (Don) Zubke, Waubay, Cindy (Mike) Wolf, Chamberlain, and Dale (Kari) Kohlhoff, Fredericksburg, Texas; nine stepgrandchildren; and 11 stepgreat-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two wives; son, Elwood; great-granddaughter, Faith; three brothers: Pedar, Clarence and Kenneth; and two sisters: Ida and Mabel.
Arrangements are entrusted with Coester Funeral Home, Webster.
coesterfuneralhome.net