Aberdeen: Mass of Christian burial for Alvina E. Pettigrew, 93, of Aberdeen and formerly of Mina will be 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. The Rev. Joe Holzhauser will officiate.
Burial will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.
There will be a liturgical wake service Sunday at 5 p.m. with visitation from 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home.
Alvina died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Alvina E. Schwab, daughter of Frank and Alma (Hansen) Schwab, was born March 15, 1919, near Mina in Edmunds County, S.D. She attended country school through eighth grade, then graduated from Mina High School. She helped on the family farm enjoying work outside.
Alvina received a scholarship to attend Grand Island Business College in Grand Island, Neb.
After completing her education, she began employment with the Agricultural Office in Ipswich, S.D., later transferring to the state office in Huron, S.D.
In October 1942, she enlisted in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She began duty at USNTS(Y) in Stillwater, Okla., then transferred to the Naval Communications Annex in Washington, D.C. She was honorably discharged on Oct. 19, 1945.
She was united in marriage to George A. Pettigrew on Jan. 8, 1946, in St. Mary's Rectory in Aberdeen. They lived in Aberdeen for a short time, then purchased and moved to the Schwab family farm where she was born and raised. George died Nov. 30, 1987. In September 1999, Alvina moved to Aberdeen.
Alvina's portrait appears on a Commemorative Call Box outside the Department of Homeland Security in Washington, D.C., commemorating the WAVES of World War II. She was an avid horseback rider when younger, also participated in sports and was a huge sports fan.
She was a 20-year bowler in the Sunset Mixed League, and thoroughly loved spending time with her grandchildren camping and attending county and state fairs. She was a prolific quilter and made numerous quilts.
Alvina was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24 and Aberdeen Quilting Club. She was a 4-H leader for 25 years in Edmunds County and had the honor of being inducted into the South Dakota 4-H Hall of Fame.
Alvina is survived by her children: Doug (Mary) Pettigrew of Wetonka, S.D.; Donna (Gary) Sharp of Bath, S.D.; Doris Colby of Carver, Minn.; David (Rita) Pettigrew of Mina, S.D., and Joan (Dave) Goppelt of Ridgecrest, Calif.; one sister, Enid Wesner of Canoga Park, Calif.; eight grandchildren: Erin (Arnie) Cordsen, Brett Pettigrew, Brian (Gretchen) Sharp, Brad (Angie) Sharp, Kristi (Dean) Johnson, Adam (Kristi) Colby, Allison (Chris) Burr and Austin (Jennifer) Colby; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant twin siblings; brother, Frank "Howard" Schwab; sister, Inez Murphy; and one great-granddaughter.
Casketbearers will be Alvina's grandchildren.
The organist will be Stephanie Raap; special music by McKayla, Kim and Joel Carda; lectors will be Brett Pettigrew and Erin Cordsen and ushers will be Evelyn Smith and Alma Sahli.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Bethesda Home of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Catholic School System or a charity of the donor's choice.
Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.
carlsenfh.com