Alvin Oliver Lesteberg, 92, Velva, died on Thursday December 7, 2006, in a Velva care center.

Alvin was born on June 6, 1914, in Murdoch, MN, to Gilbert and Thea (Lesteberg) Lesteberg. He was raised there and on farms in the Kongsberg and Velva areas and attended rural schools. As a young adult he assisted in the operation of the family farm located in Brown Township of McHenry County southwest of Velva.

Alvin married Ardis Fullmer on December 20, 1937, in Velva. They made their home in the Velva area and he was employed at the Truax Mine and at Krebsbach's Implement Dealership. In the 1940's he assumed control of the family farm where they raised small grains and cattle. In addition, he drove a school bus for the Velva school district for more than twelve years. He retired from farming in 2000 and moved into Velva where they since have lived.

Alvin was a member of Oak Valley Lutheran Church - Velva and he was a former member of the church council. He was a member of the Brown Township Board and Coulee School District Board. He especially enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and woodworking.

His loving family includes his wife of 68 years Ardis; children: Gladys Wassing of Minneapolis, Janice (Victor) Garman of Riverdale, ND, LeRoy (Mary) Lesteberg of Velva, Mary Ellen (Steven) Riley of Goodwell, OK, Keith (Shelley) Lesteberg of Fargo and Cheryl (Richard) Clark of Wayneburg, PA; Ten Grandchildren: Joel Wassing, George Wassing, Rachel (Chris) McDaniel, John and Brian Lesteberg, Stephanie Riley (Sam) Burkhard, Steven Riley, Vicki (Todd) Wolf, Teresa (Marty) Christiansen, and Aaron (Amy) Garman; Nine Great Grandchildren: Samantha McDaniel, Isabel and Phoebe Garman, Elaina and Eli Christiansen, Aubriana, Shailyn, Brekka, and Stuart Wolf, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, including a special niece Jeanne Kambeitz.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Irene Grunseth, Thelma Olson, Grace Kupper and Gladys Lesteberg; brother: Kenneth Lesteberg; son-in-law: Frank Wassing, an infant grandson, David Garman, and great grandson, Jesse Garman.

Funeral Service: Monday, December 11, 2006, at 11:00 a.m. in Oak Valley Lutheran Church - Velva;
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - rural Minot;
Visitation: Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot;
Memorials are preferred to the donor's choice.