Alvena Hoffman died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at Golden Acres Manor, Carrington, ND.

Alvena Clarice Bergstad was born on July 17, 1930, the daughter of Oscar and Ada Bergstad at Scarville, Iowa. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed in Vinge Lutheran Church, Vinge, Iowa. In 1945, she moved with her parents, brothers and sisters to a farm near McHenry, ND.

On June 14, 1954, Alvena was united in marriage to Duane Arnold Hoffman at McHenry, ND. They bought a farm west of McHenry and raised a family of five children.

Alvena was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She treasured her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Alvena enjoyed gardening, dancing, music, teaching Sunday School, visiting the elderly, family gatherings and traveling to Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat in the summertime with her husband. Her greatest joy came from caring for and playing with her grandchildren. Alvena had an exceptional gift for imagination and creativity along with a superb talent for writing and telling stories with over 50 diaries of memories. She was full of joy, peace, and goodness serving our God with an obedient and faithful heart.

In 1945, she became a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Ladies WELCA. Alvena was a charter member of McHenry Marriott’s Homemaker Club and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 41 years. On March 7, 1982, Alvena went forward and gave her life to Jesus rededicating her baptism at a Barry Moore Crusade in Grand Forks, ND. She received the baptism of the Holy Spirit on October 19, 1985, and in 1987, she and her husband joined New Life Fellowship Church in Tolna, where they continued attending up until her death.

Alvena is survived by her husband of 57 years, Duane, McHenry, ND; five children, Randall Hoffman, Elgin, ND, Marsha (Bob) Boettcher, Warwick, ND, Mark (Deanne) Hoffman, Sutton, ND, Joel (Janelle) Hoffman, McHenry, ND, and Sharon (Bobby) Hoyt, McHenry, ND; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; four sisters and one brother; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Audie Marion Bergstad, C. Oscar Bergstad, Otto Bergstad; and two grandsons, Andrew and Ryan Pedersen.

The Family would prefer memorials to Strawberry Lake Christian Retreat.

FUNERAL SERVICE: New Life Fellowship, rural Tolna, ND

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 10:00AM

BURIAL: Bethlehem Cemetery, McHenry, ND