Alvina Mathilda (Frogner) Louks

Alvina Mathilda (Frogner) Hall-Severson-Skaw-Louks, 88, of Chetek, Wisconsin, passed away Sunday, September 18, 2011 at Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek. Alvina Mathilda Frogner was born on July 12, 1923, to Alma (Lee) and Emil Gerhart Frogner in Elk Mound, Wisconsin.

She attended Running Valley School, was confirmed at Barum Lutheran in 1937, and graduated in 1941 from Colfax High School. During World War II, she inspected artillery shells at Gilletts in Eau Claire. She married Dave Hall and had David Hall Jr. on December 1, 1946. When that marriage ended, she returned to Colfax to cook at the school. Soon after, she met Carl Severson, whom she married on December 13, 1953. On June 15, 1955, their daughter Patricia was born on their dairy farm in Chetek. Alvina went to work at the Farmers Store in Chetek as a grocery clerk in the 1960s and ‘70s, as well as teaching Sunday school and being an active leader in 4-H for many years. She later worked as a cook at the Chetek Senior Citizens Center, and spent much of her time caring for Carl following a stroke until his death in 1988. Alvina married Irving Skaw in 1991, and they resided in Washington until returning to Sand Creek. Following Irving’s death in 1996, Alvina met Orel Louks, and they were married in December of 1997. They moved to Rice Lake, where they were active in dancing, Sons of Norway, attending Bethany Church, and volunteering for Visually Impaired (VIP) and the Rice Lake Senior Center. They resided together until Orel’s death in 2002, at which point Alvina continued to work with VIP and Meals on Wheels. She found a caring companion in Vernon Oliphant, and together they fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling to Norway in 2003. Vernon passed away in 2007, and the same year Alvina was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. She courageously endured chemo, radiation, and blood transfers for four years, always maintaining a strong mind amid a frail body. Her last year was spent in Knapp Haven Nursing Home in Chetek, where she was provided with excellent care. She left her family in the late evening of September 18, 2011.

Family was important to Alvina, and she leaves many behind to celebrate her life: her sister Viola (Bob) Prott - Wausau; son David (Sandra) Hall – Denton, TX; daughter Patricia (Larry) Nichols - Chetek; grandsons Bill (Tara) and Ben (Katie) Hall – Denton, TX, Adam – Forestville, CT, Aaron (Bridget), Anthony, Austin, Alex and Arik Nichols - Chetek; great-grandchildren Sam and Sophie Nichols, Greyson, Alexander and Victoria Hall; stepdaughter Myrna (Gary) Yoakam – Minnetonka, MN; stepsons Dennis (Anita) – Aurora, CO and John (Grace) Louks – Hudson, WI; step grandchildren Andrea (Stuart) Bestland – Maplewood, MN, Kristina (Brian) Hertzberg – Madison, WI, Scott Louks, Michael Louks, Marsha (Peter) Benedict – Aurora, CO, Brian (Michele) Louks – Lino Lakes, MN, Ann Louks – Minneapolis, MN, and David Louks – Costa Mesa, CA; step great-grandchildren Connor and Katelyn Louks and Freya Benedict; and several nieces, nephews, family and friends. Alvina was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Edwin, Borghild, Kenneth, Garfield, Betty Lou, and an infant brother; husbands Carl Severson, Irving Skaw, Orel Louks, and companion Vernon Oliphant. She was a handywoman and gardener, kind, generous, and helpful to all who knew her, and took pride in all of her children, grandchildren, and Norwegian heritage.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Dovre Lutheran Church.  The family will greet visitors at the church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.

Alvina’s final resting place will be at Dovre Lutheran cemetery in New Auburn, alongside her husband Carl Severson.

The Burnham-Ours Funeral Home of Chetek has been entrusted with arrangements. To express online condolences, please visit www.burnhamours.com