ALVINA SMITH (KLETKE)

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ALVINA SMITH (KLETKE) January 7, 1927 - September 22, 2010 It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Alvina Smith, at 83 years of age on September 22, 2010 at her home in Tenby, Manitoba. Alvina was predeceased by her husband Valdine (Val) Smith, her brother Dan Kletke and three infant children. She leaves to mourn her children, Valerie (Paul) Hazelton, Barry (Debbie) Smith, Grace (John) Smith-Jolly, Brian (Geraldine) Smith and her grandchildren, Kevin, Ashley, Melissa, Tyler, Robert and Haileigh. Also left to cherish her memory are her sister Ruth Kletke; brothers, Leonard (Bernice) Kletke, Kenneth (Alice) Kletke and Walter Kletke, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Alvina was born and raised in Brunkild, Manitoba where she spent her childhood on a farm. She earned her teaching certificate and moved out to rural Manitoba and taught at Maitland School. It was here that she met her soon to be husband Valdine Smith. After a year she decided teaching was not to her liking and moved back to Winnipeg working at a sewing factory until marrying Valdine on June 25, 1948. They settled in the Tenby district where she remained for the rest of her days being blessed with four children. Alvina was a great seamstress, sewing much of the family's clothing on her Singer featherweight. Embroidery, crochet, needlepoint and knitting all found their way into her talented hands. She was famous for her homemade buns and chocolate chip cookies, which no one seemed able to duplicate. The cookie jar was rarely empty at Grandma's house and a spare pail or two would find its way home with her grandchildren. Gardening was a joy she took great pride in. Once her children were grown and left home, she devoted her attention to her beautiful flower gardens. She loved to spend time with her family and especially enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and watch their achievements. Throughout the years she journaled her memories for her family in numerous photo albums. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Plumas, Manitoba. Interment will follow at the Plumas Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of one's choice. Clarkes Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements. www.clarkesfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 25, 2010