Alvin O. SETZEPFANDT, D.V.M.

SETZEPFANDT, DORWEILER, WILSON, SMITH, STENEHJEM, ADAMS, KOEHN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/15/2013 at 12:38:18

February 7, 1924 --- January 7, 2013

Dr. A. O. Setzepfandt, age 88, of Bird Island died Monday, January 7, 2013 at the Golden Living Center in Olivia. Public visitation is Friday 4-8 p.m. at Dirks-Blem Funeral Home in Bird Island. The funeral and burial will be private. Memorials are preferred to Minnesota Alzheimer's Association.

Dr. Alvin O. Setzepfandt was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on February 7, 1924. He was the son of educators to Alvin O.H. Setzepfandt Sr. and Sophia Louise Dorweiler. He graduated from Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1941. WWII was going strong while Alvin was in veterinary school and in 1943 his entire class was inducted into the Army Veterinary Corp. As service men, their curriculum now included meat inspections and care for military horses. In 1944 Alvin received an honorable discharge from the army but continued on in the Army Medical Reserve as a PFC. In 1945 he graduated from Iowa State University in the school of veterinary medicine. on August 11, 1946, he married Carol Wilson in Grundy Center, Iowa. In addition to his busy veterinarian practice, Dr. Setzepfandt was very politically active in his community. He was elected and served as Bird Island City Councilman from 1951 to 1953 and Mayor from 1954-1970. Subsequently he was elected Renville County Commissioner, 1971-1974; Minnesota State Representative, District 21B, 1975-1977 and Minnesota State Senator, District 21, 1977-1982. During his 8 years in the legislature he was most interested in issues on local government, agriculture, environment, education and transportation. Dr. Setzepfandt received a number of recognitions and awards. In 1994 he received the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine prestigious Stange Award, which is the highest recognition given to ISU veterinary alumni. In 1978 he was elected to membership in the Kappa Chapter of the Society of Phi Beta Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine. In 1979 he was the honored recipient of the WCCO "Good Neighbor Award". Also, in 1979 Dr. Setzepfandt received the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association "Veterinarian of the Year" award "for outstanding service to his community and profession". On February 17, 2001, 18 years after leaving the Minnesota Senate and many years after retiring his veterinary practice, Dr. Setzepfandt received a "Distinguished Service Award" for his lifetime of dedication to the local agricultural community by the Renville County All Agricultural Association at their annual dinner. Dr. A.O.H. and Carol Setzepfandt made their entire life and business at 361 Birch Ave., Bird Island, Minnesota. He enjoyed his cabin at Crane Lake and spending time with his friends and family. Dr. Setzepfandt will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

Alvin is survived by his wife Carol Setzepfandt of Bird Island; his four children: Alvin "Bud" (and Patty) Setzepfandt of Oakland, CA, Paul (and Colleen) Setzepfandt of Bird Island, Sue (and Doug) Smith of Fortuna, CA, and Scott Setzepfandt (and fiancé Lisa Stenehjem) of Lakeville; his seven grandchildren: Alexander Setzepfandt, Dennis Setzepfandt, Wilson (and Desi) Setzepfandt, Steve Setzepfandt, Chelsea (and Joshua) Adams, Cameron Setzepfandt and Kati Koehn and his seven great-grandchildren. Alvin was preceded in death by his parents.

Blessed Be His Memory. Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Bird Island, MN.

West Central Tribune - Willmar, Minnesota
January 9, 2013