- Date Of Birth: June 30, 1924
- Date Of Death: February 25, 2014
- State: Iowa
Alvena E. Wasko, 89 of Mallard died February 25, 2014 at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg.
Alvena Eliza Ricklefs, the daughter of Herman and Rose(Onken) Ricklefs was born June 30, 1924 at the home of her parents in Lake Township, Pocahontas, County, Iowa. She grew up on the family farm, attended country school at Lake Township #9 and graduated from the Manson High School. On November 27, 1948 she was united in marriage with Matthew Wasko of Mooreland at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lizzard Township.
In 1949, Matt and Alvena moved to a farm between West Bend and Mallard where they made a great team, built a successful farming operation as well as a purebred Hampshire hog business. Alvena loved to work on the farm, tend to her extensive vegetable and flower gardens and loved to sew and cook.
Her grandchildren loved her mashed potatoes and gravy most of all. On their farm they raised six children: Gary (Grace) of Urbandale, IA, Donn (Sue) of Plover, Ia, James (Denise) of Plover, IA, Kathryn (Paul) Merideth of Emmetsburg, IA, Kenn of Mallard, Ia, and Joan(Shawn) McMurray of Camden Point, Missouri.
Alvena was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in west Bend, Ia. After Matt died on April 1, 1983 Alvena continued to lived and work on the farm. She often said there was nowhere else she wanted to live.
Alvena is also survived by her grandchildren Lisa(Dave) DeVetter, Kristie, Jason, Scott(Amber), Becky(Steve), Teresa(Andy) Angela, Jessica, Amanda, and Matthew, and a great grandchild Robin.
