Alva Pearl Day

ALVA PEARL DAY APRIL 5, 1921-OCTOBER 12, 2014 Alva Pearl Day was born on April 5, 1921 to Jenny (Fox) and Charles Knowles in Straight River Township, the seventh of ten children. She attended the local school and was an excellent student. During WWII, she exchanged letters with Leslie Day, the handsome neighbor who was in the Marines. He was the love of her life. They married on May 24, 1946 and had 64 wonderful years together. They began farming in Straight River Township and became the proud parents of three children; Sandra, Gary, and Susan. Alva was devoted to her family and made sure they were always well cared for. She reentered the workforce when her youngest child left for college. She worked several years in Park Rapids stores where she made many friends. Alva loved children and they loved her. It was not unusual to see babies reach for her as she walked past them in a grocery store. She was extremely loving and proud of her six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. They loved her as well and always looked forward to visits to Grandma's or 'GG's' house. She loved to travel. Alva and Leslie traveled from corner to corner of the United States enjoying the natural wonders. Alva was a good friend to many people and if there was a newcomer in the neighborhood she would bring them a plate of her fabulous baked goods. After Leslie's death in 2010, she moved to Summerfield Place in Park Rapids and developed friendships with the many wonderful people she met there. Up until two weeks before her death she still enjoyed making new friends, visiting, and doing for others. She also continued to travel and made trips to both Florida and Oregon in the months preceding her death. Alva was smart, witty, kind and enjoyed life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband Leslie, son Gary, sisters Winnifred Stimpson, Christine Annett, Beatrice Knowles, Sadie Hanisch and brothers Emmert, Orval, Lawrence and Corven. She leaves behind daughters Sandra (Robert) Etter and Susan (Jim) Renner, daughter-in-law Mary Jo Ridgeway, sister Evelyn Eischens, grandchildren Terry (Peggy) Etter, Jason (Camille) Etter, Justin Day, Catharine (Justin) Houstoun, Carson (Lacy) Renner, and Eric (Dani) Renner, great-grandchildren Thomas, Emma, Madeline and Jasper Etter, William and Carter Houstoun, and numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends. Funeral services will be held on 11 AM October 17th at Riverside Methodist Church in Park Rapids. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM, Thursday October 16, 2014 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, also one hour prior to the service at the church. Casket bearers are her six grandchildren, Terry Etter, ( St Paul, MN ) Jason Etter,( Moorhead, MN), Justin Day (Denver, Co) Carson Renner, (Hillsboro, OR), Eric Renner, (Canby, OR), Catharine Houstoun, (Gehrig, NE) . Interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Riverside United Methodist Church Children's Ministries.The Arrangements were made by Jones Pearson Funeral Home.To view the video tribute or to leave on line condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.