Alfa E. Aaland — Zumbrota

Alfa E. Aaland joined her Savior and Lord Jesus on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2013.

She was the oldest of five children born to the Rev. Richard and Marie Cartford. Alfa arrived in this world on Aug. 1, 1915, in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, where she spent most of her first 16 years. Her first visit to the United States came in 1923 when they visited St. Paul, and her first memories were cornflakes and apples. In 1932, she and her younger sister, Ragna, boarded a ship for the United States where she would spend the rest of her life. She met Clarence Aaland while attending the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis in 1938. On June 30, 1941, they were married in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Her parents and youngest sister were unable to attend, due to World War II, and they did not meet Clarence until 1949. Clarence and Alfa began their career as farmers in 1944 on a rented farm in Cherry Grove Township. They moved to Zumbrota in October 1951.

Some of her fondest memories were of her many years as the superintendent of the primary department at Land's Church. She was also in charge of the Christmas programs, which she loved. Over the past six years, she has been a fixture at The Bridges of Zumbrota, where she has made many friends who are missing her.

She is survived by a brother, Dr. Gerhard Cartford of Minneapolis; and a sister, Astrid Blackwell of Bend Ore. Also surviving her are sons, Phil (Norma) of Vermillion, S.D., Duane (Glenda) and Owen (Lorraine) both of Zumbrota and Nathan (Linnea) of Rochester; and daughters, Miriam (Gary Gould) of Selma, Calif., Eunice (John Halvorson) of Fenton, Mo., and Sonja of Red Wing. Alfa is also survived by 18 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild with another on the way.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence, brother, Olaf, and sister, Ragna as well as one son and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. at the Lighthouse Community Church, with Pastor Jan Fischer officiating.

Arrangements were made by the Mahn Family Funeral Home in Zumbrota. mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com