Alvie Hesse 1926 - 2013

HESSE, CARLSON, DAVIS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-volunteer (email)
Date: 5/11/2017 at 13:49:16

Mapleton Press
27 June 2013

Alvie Hesse died June 17 in Mapleton at the age of 87 years, 2 months, 13 days.

Born April 4, 1926, at Anthon, Alvie was one of six children of William and Ethel (Carlson) Hesse. The family moved to multiple rural areas and Alvie completed his formal education at the Anthon High School. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Matanikau in the South Pacific.

Upon his honorable discharge and return home, Alvie was united in marriage to Alta Rozeltha Davis at Alta’s parent’s home in rural Smithland, Iowa. The couple first lived near Anthon and soon started farming near Smithland. Eventually the family moved to Smithland where Alvie and Alta resided for 54 years with two years in California.

After farming, Alvie worked at North American Manufacturing near Sioux City and then at Gomaco in Ida Grove as a Plant Manager. The job he most enjoyed was driving truck for Westendorf Manufacturing of Onawa, loving the ride and being able to see the country. They moved to Mapleton in 2004.

Alvie was well known as an extremely talented musician who never had to read a note to play any song. He started playing the banjo at the young age of seven playing with his father at family events and barn dances. While in the Navy, Alvie greatly advanced his talents with the piano accordion. Continuing to play over the years, he played with various bands and in 1958, starting his own four piece band first known as Al Hesse and the Sioux Valley Boys.

Al’s dreams and the band both grew to 11 pieces over time and they became the Al Hesse Orchestra. They played at all kinds of events in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota, one of which was the inauguration of Governor Harold Hughes of Iowa. Alvie continued to play with the band until 1988. After that, he still entertained at family events, county fairs, and nursing homes mainly playing the keyboard but sometimes the accordion. He developed deep friendships and a dynamic following along his musical trail.

Alvie was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton where he served on the Church Council. As a resident of Smithland, he served as Mayor for a total of 24 years. He was a 60-year plus member of the American Legion Leslie Seaton Post #0666 of Smithland where he served as Post Commander and after moving to Mapleton was a member of the Loren Hollister Post #496. Alvie could build anything with his own two hands and had a magical mind with doing math skills in his head, always amazing his kids. Above all he loved his wife, his seven children, and his now extended family.

Those family members left to cherish their memories of Alvie include his seven children, Pat Adamson and her husband, Paul, of Sioux City, Alan Hesse and his wife, Cindy, of Council Bluffs, Keith Hesse and his wife, Eileen, of Mapleton, Gayle Madsen of Sioux City, Susan Gulick and her husband, Bob, of Olathe, Kan., Diana Schmidt and her husband, David, of St. Joseph, Mo., and Dr. Curtis Hesse of Mapleton; 18 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; two sisters, Arlene Schumann of Lawton and Donna Kleihauer and her husband Kenny of LeMars; three brothers, Bill Hesse of Battle Creek, Dwayne Hesse and his wife, Virginia, and Jerry Hesse and his wife Dixie all of Sioux City, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Alta on March 22, 2012; his parents; a sister-in-law Ruth Hesse; and a brother-in-law Verlin Schumann.

Funeral Service was Friday, June 21, at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton with Pastor Scott Jensen officiating.

Message in Music was by Karen Krusen, organist, and included congregational singing

Of “How Great Thou Art” and “Borning Cry” on CD, and “Eternal Father” (The Sailor’s Hymn) on CD.

Pallbearers were Brendon Johnson, Rachel (Gulick) Evans, Bryce Johnson, Dustin Gulick, Brett Lynch, Jennifer Gulick, Craig Adamson, Stephen Schmidt, Michael Adamson, Aaron Schmidt, Mark Madsen, Victoria Hesse, Laura Stolpe, Scott Hesse, Kyle Madsen, Samantha Hesse Travis, Brittany Hesse, Paul Hesse

Visitation was Thursday, June 20, after 5 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. and Prayer Service at 7 p.m. with Pastor Timothy Chase officiating at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton. Background music by the Al Hesse Orchestra on CD.

Military Graveside Honors & Interment were by American Legion Leslie Seaton Post #0666 of Smithland and American Legion Loren Hollister Post #496 of Mapleton in Little Sioux Township Cemetery, Smithland.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton in honor of Alvie.

Armstrong Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.