Alvena Ertel, 99, passed away on January 31, 2020 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Alvena was born on August 5, 1920 in rural Craigmyle, Alberta, Canada. Alvena (Vena) and twin brother, Alvin, were the youngest children of Ferdinand (Fred) Goetz and Elizabeth Teske Goetz.
As a child she enjoyed riding horses. She quit school after the 8th grade to help her mother cook for her father’s road construction crew.
On November 15, 1938, she married William M. Ertel in Drumheller, Alberta. In 1940 they moved to northern Missouri to farm near his grandparents. In 1943 they moved to their farm southeast of Greentop, where she lived until after William passed away (June 4, 1994). They were married 55 years and enjoyed a large 50th anniversary party. She lived in Kirksville for many years before moving to Arkansas.
They were the parents of six children: Marlene (Glen) Mullins of Lancaster, MO, Shirley LaCore of Hollister, MO, Nancy (Pat) Meade of Milo, IA, Jane (Tom) Story of Brashear, MO., Bill Ertel of Greentop, MO, and Dale Ertel of Berryville, AR.
Grandparents of twelve: Pat (Annette) Mullins, Mike (Kathy)Mullins, Shawn (Mildred) Mullins, Robert (Tammy) LaCore, Brad LaCore, Jackie Beard, Lori (Bernie) Stephenson, Liz (Charlie) Lay, Ginger Ertel, Billie (Cooper) Snyder, Jeremy Middleton, and Justin Ertel.
Vena has 20 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren.
Vena was a long time member of the Smile and Serve You Extension Club. She and Bill were charter members of the 66 Wranglers Saddle Club, and members of the Kountry Kousins Square Dance Club. She was a volunteer for RSVP meals on wheels and volunteered for the blood bank. She was an avid crafter and quilter, donating many quilts to needy causes. She also raised Siamese cats that she sold on party line.
Vena and Bill made yearly trips back to visit family in Alberta for decades, the early trips involved tent camping, eventually embracing many types and styles of campers. They eventually enjoyed trips to Europe and Mexico also.
Vena was preceded in death by her parents, both immigrants from the German settlements in southern Russia, sisters; Lydia Nelner and Martha Scheller, brothers: James, Johnny, Albert, infant Wilbert, and her twin Alvin. She is survived by 4 generations of descendants, which includes two sets of twins. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews who reside in Canada.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 7, 2020 at Greentop Cemetery in Greentop, Missouri, under the direction of Travis-Noe Funeral Home of Kirksville. No public visitation will be held.