Alvin A. Greenwalt

Alvin A. Greenwalt, 70, of Allen, TX, formerly of St. Paul, died Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, at his home after a short battle with brain cancer. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. The Rev. James Murphy and Deacon Dick Ziller will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul. Visitation will be Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 6 p.m. vigil service at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. Mr. Greenwalt was born on Dec. 12, 1940, at St. Libory to Ambrose and Anna (Jansen) Greenwalt. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Janet A. O’Neill on July 7, 1962, in St. Paul. He is survived by his wife, Janet of Allen, TX; a daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Dan Covert of Arlington, TX; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Russ Greenwalt of Allen, TX, Dave and Lori Greenwalt of Bullard, TX and Chris and Trisha Greenwalt of Allen, TX; adopted children, Marcie and Scott Phillips and Joe Peetoom, all of Allen, TX; one sister and brother-in-law, Lila and Ed Kolar of Wolbach; and two brothers and one sister-in-law, Richard Greenwalt of Grand Island and Jerry and Sandy Greenwalt of Storm Lake, IA. He is also survived by 15 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. Alvin grew up and lived in Howard County most of his life. He received his education at Bunker Hill School, St. Libory’s Parochial School, Walnut Junior High, Grand Island Senior High and graduated from Grand Island Central Catholic in 1958. After their marriage, he and Janet lived in Omaha and moved to Grand Island a couple years later so Alvin could return to farming with his father. They later moved to St. Paul, where they managed the Bel Air Motel. Later the couple managed the Johnson Steakmaster in Dannebrog. Alvin retired from Ore Ida Foods in Grand Island at the age of 62, but continued farming until 2010, when they decided to move to Allen, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Alvin loved to raise animals and work the land. But his greatest love was his children and grandchildren. His gentleness and kindness drew kids to him and they all called him Grandpa. After he retired he either had a child or dog in his lap. He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Bethene Lauritsen and Dottie Speece. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family’s choice or American Hospice in McKinney, TX.