Alvestad, Wayne Edward (1931-2016)

ALVESTAD, KOKEMILLER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/9/2016 at 14:04:30

Des Moines Sunday Register, March 6, 2016

Wayne E. Alvestad passed away February 27, 2016 in Des Moines. He was born in Thompson, Iowa on April 21, 1931, the son of Roy and Sarah Alvestad. He grew up in and around Jewell, Iowa where he attended public schools.

He graduated from Jewell High School in 1951 and married Gretchen Kokemiller Alvestad of Story City, Iowa on August 16, 1953. They moved to Denver, CO where he was stationed in the Air Force. After moving to Des Moines, Wayne was successful in real estate and often told wonderful stories of the good people he worked with and his wonderful clients. W. Edward loved people. He was generous and kind to all who knew him. He was a man that knew God and shared Him with all his friends, family and those he helped through the years. He was always helping someone. He had a ready joke to cheer you up and when he wanted you to turn the page, he wrote "tumble" at the bottom of his letters. He will be missed.

Wayne loved his family. They have one son, Rev. Jeffrey W. Alvestad who is married to Candace. They live in Omaha, Nebraska where he serves as the Sr. Pastor of Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church. Wayne has one brother, Dale who lives near Springfield, MO; and two sisters, Doris Twedt of Ellsworth, and Betty Felt of Waukee.

Wayne was at one time a very active member of Zion Lutheran Church where along with his late wife Gretchen, were involved in refugee resettlement, prison ministry and Cursillo.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, his son and wife suggest memorials to the Healing Gift Free Clinic, of Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, 2650 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68131.