— Alva Wellington was born on the home farm on April 10,1917 to Josie and Ansel Anderson of Forest Lake, Minnesota. She attended school at Forest Lake and graduated from high school in 1934. After spending her freshman year of college at Luther Junior College in St. Paul, she transferred to Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN. Her studies included English and organ and she also was a member of the college choir. After graduating with a BA degree in 1938, she taught school at the high school in Lake Benton, MN from 1938-1941.

  On June 15, 1941 she attended the Ordination of her fiance Maynard Wellington into the Lutheran ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. That evening they were married at Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake, MN. She spent the next several years helping in church work with her husband, especially with youth or being an organist. They lived in San Pedro, CA; Marquette, KS; Wahoo, NE; Duluth, MN; and Mankato, MN. While in Duluth she taught English at Ordean Junior High School from 1962-1971. In retirement they continued their pastoral work in churches in Diamond City, AR, Hutchinson, KS and Sidney, NE.  In 1983 they moved to St. Peter and were members of Trinity Lutheran Church where she was active in the bell choir, library and ladies' organizations. She has also been a member of the local Historical Society, AARP, and Habitat for Humanity.

  In 1991 they moved to the Realife Cooperative where she was program director of activities for many years; she also served on other committees such as property and promotion as needed. She enjoyed reading, playing the piano, doing counted cross stitch, and attending the sports and musical activities of the college. She and her husband enjoyed 60 years of marriage. They traveled widely including a trip to the Holy Land and Europe as well as around North America.

   Alva was always interested in learning new things including using the computer in her 80's.  She kept up with current events and used Google to find old friends.  She researched family genealogy and created many scrapbooks of family history.  She was always eager to listen to other people talk about their experiences.  

   In August 2006 her health required the move to the Wilds of Sand Prairie. She kept busy there with crafts, exercises and playing the piano for the weekly religious services.  After a fall in May, 2011, she moved to the Benedictine Living Community of St. Peter, where she took part in activities and enjoyed many visitors.  She celebrated her 95th birthday with a family reunion in St. Peter in April, 2012.  Alva, family, and friends told stories and Alva played piano duets with Nancy.  Members of the community enjoyed her participation in the bell choir concert at Benedictine on her birthday, April 10.  Alva lived her life to the fullest - with 95 years of living, giving, loving, and laboring.  Alva passed away on June 3, 2012.  Her family celebrates this strong, smart, independent, inspirational, and amazing woman!

   Her husband "Duke", parents, and brother Arthur Anderson and sister Bernice Franzen preceded her in death. She is survived by daughter Kathryn(f/k/a Olson) Wellington of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada and son David Wellington and wife Nancy of Spring Valley, WI; 4 grandchildren - Carl Wellington and wife Jennifer Briggs and great grandchildren Sarah and Amy of Pittsburgh, PA; Sonia Wellington and husband Adam Coleman of Poulsbo, WA; Johanna Olson of Los Angeles, CA; Kristjon Olson of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada; sister-in-law Renee Anderson of Austin, MN; nieces and nephews, and many friends.  

  The burial will take place on Friday, July 27 at Greenhill Cemetery, St. Peter, at 1:00 pm followed by a Memorial Service and fellowship at Trinity Lutheran Church, 511 S. 5th Street, St. Peter, at 2:00 pm. St. Peter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.