Mavis Van Alstine

Mavis J. Van Alstine, 86, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Marian Home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. Kendall Myer officiating. Entombment will follow at North Lawn Cemetery. A visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Those thankful for the love and time shared with her are husband of 67 years, Gail; sons, Bruce and wife, Judy of Thor; Clark and wife, Jennifer of Belton, MO; daughters, Linda White of Gowrie; Carla and husband, Rob Schreier of Fort Dodge; fourteen grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother, Joe Sherman and wife, Charlotte of Webster City and many nieces and a nephew. Mavis was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Grace (Hartwig) Sherman; sister, Myetha (Vince) Bobenhouse; in-laws, William and Pearl (Tubbs) Van Alstine; brother-in-law, Gaylord Van Alstine. Mavis Sherman was born September 26, 1934 in Manson. In 1942, she and her family moved to Fort Dodge where she attended Butler and then St. Paul's Lutheran Schools. She graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1952. Following high school, she attended AIB in Des Moines where she received her degree in Stenograph. Mavis was united in marriage to Gail L. Van Alstine on September 6, 1953 in Fort Dodge. They made their home in Fort Dodge and Mavis worked in the office at the Fort Dodge Limestone. She then became a homemaker, raising four children of her own plus 30 foster children. She was a volunteer for St. Paul's Mission House for 30 years and retired in March of 2000. She was a hospital volunteer and gift shop buyer. She was active in many clubs; Neighborhood Group, President of Ladies Aid at St. Paul's, Cub Scout Den Mother, Campfire board member and leader, Lutheran Family Services, Auxiliary Red Cross where she was helpful after the Manson tornado and the Fort Dodge Wakonsa Hotel fire. Mavis was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Her love for always helping others earned her awards from Service to Mankind, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Woodward State School and Hospitals, VFW, Community service awards and several others. Mavis enjoyed her family and friends, volunteering, reading, gardening, writing letters, baking, puzzles, scrapbooking, ironing, and of course Elvis. Memorials may be left to the Hospice Home and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Service Tue, May 4, 2021 at 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Wed, May 5, 2021 at 10:30 am St. Paul Lutheran Church 400 S 13th St Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501