Alva E. Grote
BOSSIER CITY, LA – Alva was born in Hillsboro, Kansas on August 01, 1918 to Otto and Maria Schroeder. She passed away on September 05, 2016 after a brief illness at the age of 98. Services will be Saturday September 10, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, Bossier City, Louisiana, Rev. David Dietzel officiating. Visitation 10:00- 11:00 a.m.; service beginning 11:00 a.m., private burial service at Hill Crest, Haughton, LA will follow.
Alva attended Tabor College and Kansas State University where she met Hilbert A. Grote (Gus). They were married in 1940 in Manhattan, Kansas, celebrating 54 years together until Gus died. While Gus went to war, Alva was here helping on the home front as an aircraft inspector in Tulsa assuring the planes built by Rosie Riveters met the highest standards. Moving from Kansas to New Mexico then to Bossier City, where they established their home for 64 years.
Alva was active in her community and church beginning at First Methodist on Ogilvie Street. She worked in the nursery, kitchen, Sunday school anywhere she was needed and this carried over to the “new” First Methodist on John Wesley Boulevard. She celebrated her 50 year membership May, 2016. Alva could be seen working at the church doing good, either with Young at Heart in the kitchen, Helping Hands, food pantry or tidying up the sanctuary between services on Sunday! She was a member of the Parker Sunday School Class.
Alva was wife, mother, home maker and book binder. She worked for Everett’s Bindery in Bossier City retiring after 38 years, binding, preserving books and magazines. Never one to be idle when not at the church Alva made prayer blankets for those needing comfort, handmade dish clothes, potholders and the “can’t eat just one” cookies, affectionately known as “Alva’s cookies”.
She is survived by daughter, Karen Grote; son, Dennis Grote (Carrie); grandson, Matt Grote,; granddaughters, Nicole Tomaszewski (JT), Graham Anderson (Chris) and great-grandchildren, Walker, Max, Alexandra and Andrew; and brother, Merle Schroeder. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Gus; and grandson, Mac Vilas.
Alva lived almost a century…she loved, she laughed, she shared, she was devoted to her husband, children, church and friends. She was quiet but strong, small in stature but large in heart, a grand lady with bright blue eyes and an enduring smile. When she got her driver’s license renewed on her 96th birthday for 4 years, she quietly asked them if “they were sure they wanted to do that” she was practical and to the point.
A life well lived! She will be missed by those who crossed her path.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Helping Hands, First United Methodist Church,201 John Wesley Blvd, Bossier City, LA 71112.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Garden Park and Dr. Tharwat Ghattas for their compassion and care these last few months.
You may offer condolences to the family by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh. com.
Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home
Haughton, LA
318-949-9415