Alvin Dettmer

 Alvin Carl Dettmer was born on a farm near Kensington on March 14, 1910, the eldest son of John and Barbara (Miller) Dettmer. He passed away September 3, 1995 at Prairie Haven Nursing Home, Kensington.

Alvin was baptized by Pastor Hainke, confirmed by Pastor Bunge and was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church. He was Sunday school superintendent, deacon and served St. John in numerous ways.

On June 3, 1934 he was married to Blanche Vecera and to this union two daughters were born: Sharon Smith and Barbara Reilley. Alvin and Blanche spent most of their married life farming south of Kensington. They always enjoyed working together. In 1980 they moved into their home in Kensington.

Survivors include his wife, Blanche; two daughters: Sharon Smith, Lincoln, Nebraska and Barbara Reilley and husband Donald, Smith Center; eight grandchildren: Allen and Valerie Smith, Tracy and Laurie Smith, Bradley and Mary Smith, Gloria Smith, Denise and Bevan S. Staple, Tammy and Alan Weiser, Mare and Heather Reilley and Jenny Reilley; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Eulonda Hagman and LaVona Gruber and husband Melvin; sister-in-law Mildred Dettmer; other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 5 at St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington with Pastor Connie Morrow and Pastor Dan Breda officiating. Pastor Dave Hutson was soloist accompanied by

 Carolyn Holle, organist.

Casket bearers were: Allen, Tracy and Brad Smith, Mare Reilley, Alan Weiser, Rod Hagman, Eugene Hagman Jr., and Greg Gruber. Honorary bearers were Bevan Staple, Duane Engelke and Alvin's friends.

Burial was in St. John Lutheran Cemetery

CARD OF THANKS

We want to thank our children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and the community for the many prayers, flowers, cards, calls, food, visits, and other acts of kindness during the illness and death of Alvin.

Thank you to Pastor Connie, Pastor Dan, doctors, Smith Community Memorial Hospital Staff and the Prairie Haven Staff for the loving care and concern for Alvin.

Blanche Dettmer

Sharon Smith

Barbara and Donald Reilley

Phillips County Review

September 14,1995

Blanche Dettmer

KENSINGTON Blanche Dettmer, 91, Kensington, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006.

Mrs. Dettmer was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin, in 1995; a granddaughter; and two great-grandsons.

Survivors include two daughters, Sharon Smith of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Barbara Reilly of Smith Center; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Saint

John Lutheran Church, Kensington. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice Services of Smith Center, the church or American Heart Association, in care of Simmons-Olliff-Boeve Chapel, 116 W. First, Smith Center 66967.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at the chapel and 10 a.m. to service time Friday at the church.

The Salina Journal

February 2, 2006