Alvena Hefner

HEFNER ZOCH GROSZKRUGER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/21/2010 at 21:14:49

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Alvena Hefner
By Lavonne Volkert

In the spring of 1937, Alvena and her three children moved to Cushing. She decided living in the country during the winter of 1936 was more than she wanted to cope with again.

Alvena Dorthea Zoch was born October 1, 1896, to Fredrick F and Sophie Groszkruger Zock, Sr, on a farm north of Holstein. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. She attended rural school. On February 16, 1921, she married Laurence ‘Oliver’ Hefner at St Paul Lutheran Church in Holstein. After their marriage they farmed on Oliver’s home place at Nora Springs. During this time two children were born: Lavonne Doris, November 11, 1921; and Verdene Lowell, June 16, 1923.

Oliver was born at Nora Springs, Iowa, February 8, 1895, son of Joseph and Mary Oliver Hefner. His mother died when he was fifteen, and he lived with his sister in Ruthon, Minnesota, until he enlisted in the Army of World War I on June 24, 1918. He served overseas for a year in the Meuse Argonne Defensive and in the Army of the Occupation. After his discharge, August 24, 1919, he came to the Holstein vicinity where he was a farm worker.

In 1924, Alvena and Oliver moved to a farm north of Holstein, and there Loren Daryl was born April 11, 1926.

Sorrow entered the home very soon. After only nine years of married life, Oliver died leaving his wife with three small chidlen, nine, seven and four. Oliver passed away December 17, 1930, at the age of 35, his death possibly a result of gas from the war.

After Oliver’s death, Alvena continued to farm with the help of Oliver’s sister and husband. The following year she needed to have major surgery, so she had a farm sale and moved to Early, to live with her sister, Linda and her husband, John Boisen. The move was made with a team and wagon. She took three milk cows and a team of horses. The trip took two days as to make as the cows were driven on foot. Alvena’s health improved enough that she and her family moved to acreage west of Holstein the following year. During this time Lavonne started babysitting, receiving ten cents and breakfast for a night’s sitting. Verdene plowed corn for the neighbor; he, also, received ten cents a day and lots of experience. Even these little amounts were very welcome as the only income the family had was $30.00 a month veteran’s pension. Alvena supplemented the family income by providing room and board for several teachers and depot agents, churning the cream and selling the butter, and keeping foster children.

Although she was in ill health for many years, she found sufficient energy to provide for her family and found time to be active in St John Lutheran Church and its organizations. She enjoyed her friends and the friendly Cushing Community. When she felt down, she would always remind herself that she didn’t need to look far to see someone worse off than she was.

Lavonne married Virgil Volkert on June 5, 1945. They live in Cushing, where Virgil is a district agent for Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company. Their children are: Charlene, Mrs James Camenzind, of Omaha; Maryls Peterson of Madison, Wisconsin; Paula, Mrs Randy Dreeszen, of Cushing, and James of Huron, South Dakota.

Verdene married Rachael Powell, May 14, 1944. They had two daughters: Sharon, Mrs Jerome Henningfeld; and Darnelle, Mrs Michael Ellsworth, both of Sioux City. Rachael died at the time of Darnelle’s birth. Verdene’s mother cared for the girls until Verdene married Maxine Conaway, February 19, 1953. They live in Cushing where they are both employed as school custodians. Their children are: Randy, of Adel; Rodney, of Sioux City; and Ritchie, of Cushing.

Lorene married Doris Griener on July 15, 1951. Their children are: Lorna, Mrs Kent Bodholt of Varina; Rick, of Spencer; Quita, Mrs Mark Snyder, of Storm Lake, and Tracy Sue of Newell. Loren died February 29, 1962, at the age of 35, and Doris died October 18, 1979, both of cancer.