Alvin Shindelar

Monday, August 20, 2018 2:23 pm

Alvin Shindelar, 87, of Spillville, died Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Lector are Jake Shindelar, Patrick Lensing, Robert Stalberger, DVM. Offertory gift bearers are Alvin’s daughters: CarolAnn, Peggy, Doris, Barbara and Rita. Organist is Jeanette Dietzenbach. Soloist is Cindy Schissel. The St. Wenceslaus Choir also will sing. Hymns are “Here I Am Lord,” “Amazing Grace,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Goin’ Home” and “How Great Thou Art.” Eucharistic minister is Sherry Bouska. Casket bearers are Alvin’s grandchildren: Jake Shindelar, Patrick Lensing, Mindy Bunn, Danielle, Devin and Dereka Roney, Amanda Everts, Holly Knudsen. Interment is at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter-Balik Funeral Home.

Alvin George Shindelar was born Jan. 20, 1931, the son of Matthias and Eleanora (Infeld) Shindelar, on the family farm near Spillville. He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School through the eighth grade. After finishing school, Alvin went to work on the family farm until he was drafted by the United States Army in 1951. Alvin served in Korea working on heavy artillery and later as a lineman, before being honorably discharged in 1953. He returned home and married Edith Reicks Sept. 2, 1953, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. Shortly after their marriage Alvin and Edith purchased his grandfather’s farm south of Spillville. Together they had five daughters: CarolAnn, Peggy, Doris, Barbara and Rita. Alvin farmed for most of his life, owned and operated Shindelar Trucking, and later became a tree farmer. He worked for the Decorah Veterinary Clinic at the Decorah Sales Commission until several months ago, enjoying the opportunity to work with cattle, even while retired. Alvin also enjoyed organic gardening, reading farm magazines and spending time with his family. He took pride in his land stewardship, especially prairie and woodland restoration, and was a long-time supporter of Pheasants Forever. Alvin was a lifetime member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

Alvin is survived by his wife, Edith; children: CarolAnn Shindelar (Steve) Armitage, Barrington, Ill.; Peggy (Buzz) Lensing, Decorah; Doris (Darwin) Roney, Lone Tree, Colo.; Barbara (Randall) Rigdon, Dunkerton and Rita (Steve) Salitros, Maple Grove, Minn.; grandchildren: Jake Shindelar, Patrick (Stephanie) Lensing, Mindy (Bill) Bunn, Danielle, Devin and Dereka Roney, Amanda (Andrew) Everts and Holly (Matthew) Knudsen; great-grandchildren: Leo and Violet Lensing; Henry, Lily and Otter Bunn; Greeley and Maesa Everts; MaKenzie and Ethan Knudsen; brother, Richard (Darlene) Shindelar, Protivin; sister, Martha (Charles) Klimesh, Spillville; brothers-in-law, Denis Reicks, Cresco and Loras Reicks, St. Lucas; sisters-in-law: Arlene Bodensteiner, West Union; Monica Brooks, Cedar Rapids; Verna (Al) Chacey, Longville, Minn.; Anita Imoehl, Decorah; and Florence Reicks, Alta Vista; along with many nieces and nephews.

Alvin was preceded in death by his parents, Matthias and Eleanora (Infeld) Shindelar; great-grand-daughter, Aurora Everts; brother, August (Regina) Shindelar; sisters, Adella (Francis) Kuhn, and Helen Shindelar in infancy; father and mother-in-law, James and Eleanor (Busche) Reicks; brothers-in-law: Leo Reicks, Cyril Reicks, Roger Reicks, Merlin Imoehl and Leo Bodensteiner’ sister-in-law, Judy Reicks.